grab and go and fly

New United Club Fly provides a quick respite for travelers at IAH

Employees gather around a coffee machine at the United Club Fly in IAH.

United Club Fly is a premium lounge at IAH that keeps things moving.

Photo by Jef Rouner

A new kind of lounge is now open in Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). United now offers access to United Club Fly, a unique grab-and-go lounge that is designed to give travelers a premium experience even when they're in a rush.

"At United, we really strive to meet diverse travel needs," said Kay Jackson, senior manager of clubs and loungers for United at a press review held on Monday, February 24. "We know not everyone travels in the same way, and we want to offer different United Club products for different travel be needs. Club Fly specifically is one way that we intend to meet the needs of the on-the-go traveler. It is really unique and that is for that traveler that is pressed for time, whether they have a tight connection or just don't have a lot of time in the airport. They can quickly stop in, refuel, recharge, and be on their way."

Club Fly has a bright, Space City feel, with light-colored walls and beveled surfaces at odd angles that make it look ever-so-slightly like a public space from a Star Trek episode. Amenities include a full-service coffee bar staffed by baristas, to-go pre-packed snacks like chips, warm pastries, and a variety of small meals like pre-made sandwiches and salads that can be eaten at the nearby counters or taken into the terminal. Departure times are displayed on the wall to make sure no one misses their flight. Notably, Club Fly does not serve alcohol.

All items in Club Fly are complimentary for United Club members, United Club Infinite cardholders, Star Alliance Gold members, and United customers traveling internationally in a premium cabin. Entry is achieved simply by scanning a boarding pass or United Club card. The area is open from 5:30 am to 8 pm daily.

This is the second United Club Fly location. The first opened at Denver International Airport (DEN) in 2022. This one has a few extra Houston flourishes. In addition to the spacey aesthetic, the coffee bar serves a Galaxy Latte (blueberry acai) that was a hit with all the touring visitors in both hot and cold forms. Freshly-squeezed orange juice was available as a healthy alternative.

"We're certainly very excited with how the space has turned out," said Jackson.

Club Fly continues the overall IAH trend toward streamlining the speed with which travelers pass through the airport. Earlier this year, the airport completed its long-awaited traffic congestion relief plan, including additional open lanes for drop-offs and a new international arrivals terminal. Even during peak hours, getting into and around the airport is now nearly seamless with low waiting times and less overall travel stress. Club Fly's quick recharge philosophy is another way the airport keeps things moving briskly, a necessity as IAH sees more and more travel thanks to increased routes.

Photo by Jef Rouner

Never miss your flight thanks to the departure board.

george bush intercontinental airport iah united airlines

a major award

Houston boutique hotel is only Texas property added to Michelin Key list

Photo by Julie Soefer

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Houston is home to the only hotel in Texas to receive one of the world’s most prestigious awards for exceptional stays. The Michelin Guide has awarded a coveted Michelin Key to the Hotel Saint Augustine, the boutique property in Montrose from the Austin-based Bunkhouse Hotels that opened in late 2024.

In its entry on the Michelin website, the guide hails the 71 room property:

Tucked into Montrose’s leafy streets, Hotel Saint Augustine is a thoughtfully composed stay with a strong design point of view. Spread across five buildings, it mixes eras and materials like burled walnut, red lacquer, Calacatta Viola, with sculptural furniture and vintage finds. Guest rooms offer a softer counterpoint to the richness of the public spaces, some with screened porches set among the trees. It is smart, well-made, and exactly what this part of Houston was missing.

Earning a Michelin Key is only the latest recognition for the year-old hotel. In April, both Esquire and Travel + Leisure named the property to their best new hotel lists. Last month, Bon Appetit included Perseid, the hotel’s French restaurant that’s led by chef Aaron Bludorn, on its list of America’s 20 best new restaurants.

Announced on Wednesday, October 8, Michelin added 37 hotels nationwide to its roster of Michelin Key-worth properties, bringing the total in the U.S. to over 300. Hotel Saint Augustine joins Houston’s three other Michelin Key properties, which were among the inaugural class that Michelin announced last year — The Post Oak Hotel, Hotel ZaZa Houston (Museum District), and Hotel ZaZa Memorial City. The Carr Mansion in Galveston also holds one Michelin Key.

Similar to the famous Michelin Stars awarded to restaurants, hotels may receive one, two, or three keys, which is defined as follows:

One Michelin Key for hotels that offer "very special" stays with service that "provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments."
Two Michelin Keys for "exceptional stays" where memorable guest experiences are "always guaranteed" with a special emphasis on the hotel's design or architecture.
Three Michelin Keys for hotels that provide "extraordinary stays" for "the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance."

As part of last night’s announcement, the guide did not add any properties to America’s roster of just 16, three-key hotels. It did, however, add four new, two-key selections, including the Inn at Little Washington, which is home to three-star restaurant of the same name.

No properties in Texas hold three Michelin Keys. The states’s only two key properties are the Commodore Perry Estate (Austin), the Bowie House (Fort Worth), and Hotel Emma (San Antonio).

michelin keys awards hotels hotel saint augustine