United Airlines opens its second grab-and-go ‘lounge’ in Houston today

If you like the option of just grabbing a quick drink or snack between or before flights rather than going through the traditional airline lounge experience, then you were probably excited when United Airlines opened its first grab-and-go Club Fly location at Denver International Airport (DEN) in 2022.

For fans of the grab-and-go concept, there’s some good news to share: The airline’s second Club Fly location has just opened within Terminal B at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

While the Denver location was themed to evoke ski chalet vibes given its mountain-adjacent location, the Houston Club Fly has a sleeker, futuristic design as an homage to Houston’s “Space City” reputation.

But since it is what’s on the shelves that really counts in a space that isn’t really designed for lounging around, below are some examples of what you can expect to find stocked at the Houston Club Fly.

• Warmed pastries
• Wraps
• Salads
• Sandwiches
• Cookies
• Chips
• Cans of soda
• Personalized coffee-based beverages crafted by baristas
• Fresh-squeezed orange juice

For pastries that are better when heated, such as the ham-and-cheese croissant I got to sample, you can take it to the counter and have them heat it up for you.

In addition to the menu of lattes, cappuccinos and freshly squeezed OJ, there are also a couple of seasonal drinks that will rotate through. Currently, the seasonal favorites are a lavender matcha latte and the Blueberry Acai “Galaxy” Latte (there’s that space theme again).

The latter (served warm or iced) was a big hit at the preview event.

There are no seats or public restrooms in this Club Fly, though there is a standing counter off to the side with a few outlets in case you really want to eat and then run.

While it remains to be seen just how busy this location will be, especially while it is the only open United club in Terminal B for the time being, United has shared that the Denver location has seen 300,000 visitors since it first opened in late 2022. If demand is similar in Houston, that would average out to several hundred guests per day. Terminal B at IAH will eventually be home to the largest United Club in the system when it opens in 2026.

Access to the United Club Fly locations is the same as for the traditional United Clubs, except that no complimentary guests are permitted into Club Fly.

While there are no other specific location announcements for additional Club Fly locations available at this time, United has shared that it is committed to this concept, so it would not surprise us if the concept continues to expand across more locations.

“Club Fly has been an awesome test for us, but we committed as we launched it in Denver. This was not just a trial; this was a full commitment that we were going to continue to learn from”, Alex Dorow, United’s head of lounges, previously shared with TPG’s Zach Griff.

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