United Opens Grab-and-Go Club in Houston

Rhea-AI Summary

United Airlines has opened its second United Club Fly location at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, designed for on-the-go travelers who need quick refreshments before their flights. This grab-and-go concept offers:

- Seamless self-scan entry with boarding passes
- Premium food and beverages including fresh-squeezed juice, pastries, wraps, and sandwiches
- Barista-crafted coffee beverages
- Self-service beverage counter with water bottle refilling station

The Space City inspired design celebrates the Houston area and features seasonal coffee specialties like Lavender Matcha Latte and Blueberry Acai "Galaxy" Latte. Access is available to United Club members and travelers in premium cabins on international flights.

This opening is part of United's $2.6 billion renovation and expansion of Terminal B in Houston and reflects the airline's ongoing investment in its club network. Since 2022, United has opened or renovated eight United Club locations, with plans for expanded Polaris Lounges in Chicago and Newark in 2025.

Positive

• Opening of second United Club Fly location shows successful expansion of grab-and-go concept
• $2.6 billion investment in Houston airport renovation and expansion
• 300,000+ travelers have visited the Denver Club Fly location since 2022
• Strategic enhancement for Houston hub where over 50% of customers are connecting passengers
• Part of broader club network investment with 8 locations opened or renovated since 2022
• Plans for expanded Polaris Lounges in Chicago and Newark in 2025

Negative

• access restricted to Club members and premium international cabin travelers

Insights

Travel Industry Analyst

United Airlines' launch of its second United Club Fly location in Houston represents a strategic enhancement to its premium service offerings at a key hub in its network. This grab-and-go concept directly addresses changing traveler behaviors in the post-pandemic landscape, particularly catering to the over 50% of customers at IAH who are connecting passengers.

The development should be viewed within United's broader premium revenue strategy. Since the pandemic, airlines have seen their premium cabin and lounge access revenue recover faster than economy segments. By expanding premium touchpoints like Club Fly, United is positioning itself to capture incremental revenue from business travelers and high-value leisure customers who might purchase club memberships or premium cabin tickets to access these amenities.

The success of the Denver location, which has served over 300,000 visitors since opening in 2022, validates the concept's appeal and suggests potential for positive returns on investment. This format efficiently utilizes airport real estate while requiring less staffing than traditional clubs, potentially offering better economics per square foot than full-service lounges.

Within the competitive landscape, United is pioneering this grab-and-go concept among major U.S. carriers. While American and Delta continue to invest in traditional lounges, United's differentiated approach could provide a competitive advantage in capturing time-pressed premium travelers, particularly at connection-heavy hubs.

This initiative is part of United's $2.6 billion investment in Houston, signaling the strategic importance of this hub in the carrier's network. The broader lounge investment program across eight locations since 2022, with additional expansions planned through 2026, demonstrates United's commitment to enhancing its premium positioning.

For investors, these targeted customer experience investments support United's strategy to drive higher yields and ancillary revenue. The focus on premium services aligns with the industry trend of segmentation and upselling, which has proven effective in improving revenue management and overall profitability in the post-pandemic environment.

Airline opens second United Club Fly^SM location where travelers can quickly carry out snacks, coffees and other beverages on the way to their gate

Houston location reflects the airline's continued investments in IAH and its broader United Club^SM portfolio

HOUSTON, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- United today opened its newest United Club Fly location at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, designed for travelers who want a convenient option to pick up a snack, beverage or barista-made coffee as they head to their flight.

At United Club Fly in Houston, travelers can experience:

• Seamless, self-scan entry with their boarding pass at automated entry gates.
• Selection of premium food and beverage for the on-the-go traveler, including fresh-squeezed orange juice, warmed pastries, wraps, salads, sandwiches and more.
• Barista-crafted, personalized coffee beverages from the club's full-service coffee bar, helping customers skip long lines at airport coffee shops.
• Self-service beverage counter with a reusable water bottle refilling station and other favorite nonalcoholic beverages, including soft drinks, iced tea and more.
• Space City inspired design that celebrates the Houston area.

"We're bringing elevated convenience to Houston with the opening of our second Club Fly location," said Alexander Dorow, Head of United's Club and Lounge Program. "Designed for on-the-go United Club members, Club Fly offers a club experience that matches the ways travelers' needs have evolved, especially when they're pressed for time. Not all customers travel the same way and that encourages us to constantly look at new opportunities to add value to our club program and support travelers throughout their entire journey."

United was the first U.S. airline to debut a grab-and-go club concept with the opening of its first location in Denver in 2022. More than 300,000 travelers have visited Club Fly since it opened in Denver, and they've enjoyed the convenience, refreshment selection and barista-made drinks, especially during short layovers. This club format reflects the airline's ongoing commitment to launch new innovations that support different customer needs during their travel journeys.   

More than half of customers at IAH are connecting passengers, and the grab-and-go club will improve the customer experience for on-the-go travelers who are pressed for time and want to quickly recharge and refuel before their flight. Located on the south side of Terminal B, United Club Fly features a modern design that reflects Houston. The Space City inspired club features seasonal coffee bar highlights, such as Lavender Matcha Latte and Blueberry Acai "Galaxy" Latte.

United Club members and travelers in premium cabins flying internationally will have access to United Club Fly.

The opening of United Club Fly in Houston is part of the airline's growth plans in Houston that include a $2.6 billion renovation and expansion of Terminal B, a new United Club location and an Early Bag Storage facility (EBS). It also marks the airline's latest investment in its network of clubs and lounges. Since 2022, United has opened or renovated a total of eight United Club locations across its system. In 2025, the airline will open expanded Polaris Lounges in Chicago and Newark. Also in 2025, United will reopen a renovated and expanded club in Denver's B West Terminal, which will complete its plan to redesign every United Club at DEN. Internationally, United plans to reopen the United Club in Hong Kong. In 2026, United will open a new United Club in San Francisco and its largest-ever United Club in Houston.

For more information on United Club locations and how to visit, go to united.com/unitedclub. 

About United

At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL". 

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SOURCE United Airlines

FAQ

What amenities does United's new Club Fly location in Houston offer?

United's Club Fly in Houston offers self-scan entry, premium grab-and-go food options (pastries, wraps, salads, sandwiches), barista-crafted coffee beverages, and a self-service beverage counter with a water bottle refilling station. The Space City inspired design features seasonal coffee specialties like Lavender Matcha Latte.

Who can access the new United Club Fly at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport?

Access to United Club Fly in Houston is available to United Club members and travelers flying in premium cabins on international flights.

How does the United Club Fly concept differ from traditional United Club lounges?

United Club Fly is a grab-and-go concept designed for travelers who want quick refreshments without spending time in a traditional lounge. It allows members to quickly pick up snacks, beverages, or barista-made coffee on their way to their gate, especially beneficial during short layovers.

What are United's (UAL) future plans for club and lounge expansions beyond the Houston Club Fly?

United plans to open expanded Polaris Lounges in Chicago and Newark in 2025, reopen a renovated club in Denver's B West Terminal, reopen the United Club in Hong Kong, and in 2026, open a new United Club in San Francisco and its largest-ever United Club in Houston.

How does the new United Club Fly fit into UAL's overall investment strategy at Houston airport?

The Club Fly is part of United's $2.6 billion renovation and expansion of Terminal B in Houston, which also includes plans for a new traditional United Club location and an Early Bag Storage facility, reflecting the airline's commitment to enhancing customer experience at this hub.