After a few recent layovers at Houston Intercontinental Airport and I realize I have to give that airport kudos.  Normally if you’re catching a flight on a small regional airline, your find yourself leaving the bright and bustling area of the main terminal and trudging down to the dimly lit, low ceiling’d dungeon of the airport where your only options for food are hotdog rejects from 7-11 and stale coffee.Its truly depressing. You’re about to get on a cramped plane with no hopes of an upgrade to first class, because there is no first class. If you’re lucky you have a flight attendant on the plane  If you’re lucky you have a bathroom on the plane. If your lucky, turbulence has taken the day off. You’re already not feeling too positive about the experience – then you end up on airport hell.

Well not in Houston.

Houston Intercontinental Airport – Terminal B

In United’s Terminal B where you catch many connecting flights on smaller planes, you still get the benefit of a brightly lit, window filled terminal.  The gates are all grouped close together, but the waiting area has large screens with clearly labeled boarding information.  There are multiple quality food options to chose from, a pleasant bar area, duty free shopping and tons of seating, many of which have access electrical plugs and charging stations.  This is definitely a change for the better compared to other airports.

Pull up a cherry red chair and have a quick pre-flight drink

Granted, once your flight is called, you do still have to descend into the bowels of the airport – low ceilings and no bathrooms – but you’re time there is short as you’re just passing through to an airplane that also may have…well, low ceilings and no bathrooms.  The flight may still be lousy, but at least the hour leading up to it was surprisingly pleasant.  Well done, Houston!

Now, about the non stop country music you’re playing….