Hi all - Some friends and I are planning to fly Continental to Guatemala in August, probably returning on a Wednesday (cheapest fares). Our options returning through Houston are a 1 hour 45 minute layover or a layover of nearly 5 hours. Obviously we'd rather not spend 5 hours if we don't need to, but I haven't flown through Houston since the 80's and am wondering how likely we are to run into a late arrival or long lines making 1.75 hours too short. Opinions appreciated.

Hi! I have flown thru there 4x in the last couple of yrs internationally on Continental. In my experience, you should be fine. I had all carry on but now with the new regs if you have to retrieve & reck luggage, that is a good? It is a big airport but they seem to have a good system. I will be interested in the answers as that is my fave of airports to connect thru when going south.

Thanks, ateabag - I usually travel with only a carry-on, too, but my last trip ended in August the week before the new changes went into effect and I may have to check luggage this time. I certainly don't want undo risk of missing my connecting flight, but I hate the thought of nearly 5 hours of layover at the end of a 3+ week trip.

Glad to help, Hopefulist! I had a long layover first trip as was unsure as you are now before the new international terminal opened-not a lot for a girl to amuse herself with at that time so read. If you end up doing the longer layover, they put a new Border's bookstore in with a nice comfy chair to read & a great travel section of books. Great place to hang out& get updated on your destination. As I said, I will be interested in the replies. We are going thru Atlanta this year as the times worked out to be able to connect directly into Corn Island flights & back thru ATL from the Pantanal. Good luck!

Good luck with your adventure, too, ateabag - thanks again for the help!

Hi hopeful!

I think you'll be fine with the shorter layover. Bush is a large airport, but it's laid out rather well and you shouldn't have much trouble finding your way around. We just got back from Mexico and we had no trouble leaving or coming back in - lines were short, Customs was a breeze, and we had an easy time, all things considered.

Have a great trip!

I was through there twice this year and my husband 3x and they seem to have smoothed things out when the flights are running okay. Your time should be okay as long as you aren't delayed. We used to hate going through there and did switch to Atlanta because of the long lines in immigration but we are usually through there in less than an hour now. Unfortunately, this year has been a bad year for Houston with so much rain and it is causing a lot of delays. Hopefully by next August the weather will have changed to a more normal pattern. Still rainy for Houston but not flooding all the time.

They have already started loosening up some of the restrictions. We prefer to carry on ourselves but just couldn't in August when we flew to CR. TSA keeps their web site pretty well updated. Some of the stuff doesn't make sense but it never has. Women could wear gel bras and carry KY but nobody can wear gel inserts in their shoes. Ya think a man made that list? LOL

I think we've decided to go for the shorter layover and leave anything behind in Guatemala that we can't carry on (shampoo, t-paste, etc.), and try for seats close to the front of the plane. I really can't face the thought of breezing through immigration and customs and waiting nearly 5 hours for our flight home. Thanks to all for your input!