Plane spotting at Houston: United's 787s back in flight

Through the month of May, on two separate occasions I had the pleasure to do plane spotting at Houston's two airports, Hobby and Intercontinental.

The Houston airport system authorities support their local spotters well, making both airports amongst the most friendliest to spot at in the United States.

A special thanks to the friendly folks at the Houston Spotters who took me around and showed me the best places to spot from. Without a doubt, Rankin Road is the place to be in the afternoon and evening. Their website has excellent spotter guides in the "Spotting Resources" section and please do call and inform the authorities as suggested in the guides.

From my last trip, here is one of the two United 787 Dreamliners that are in service, post the battery fix, flying domestic routes from Houston to Newark and Chicago, performing a "smokin touchdown" on to Runway 08R. Observe the wing flex which will come to level once the plane slows down.

Just one small request to the Tower controllers at KIAH. Please put the heavies on 08R and the small regional jets on 08L. Please, pretty please, with a cherry on the top??

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Houston Intercontinental airport terminal B sealed after shooting incident

Houston's George Bush Intercontinental airport (IATA: IAH) is undergoing severe disruptions, as officials have effectively sealed up Terminal B after a fatal shooting earlier today.

The Houston Police report on its Facebook page says

The armed suspect in the airport incident has died from his injuries. He entered Terminal B and fired at least one shot in the air. A nearby Department of Homeland Security Officer heard the gunfire and immediately responded. The Homeland Security Officer and the suspect fired shots simultaneously. The suspect was struck and treated by responding paramedics who pronounced him dead in an ambulance. The Harris County Medical Examiner (Institute of Forensic Sciences) will determine the suspect’s cause of death.

No other travelers in the terminal were hurt. The airport remains safe and the area of the terminal was quickly contained. The investigation remains ongoing.

As a consequence, officials have sealed and closed Terminal B, which operates mostly United Airlines flights. Passengers are being screened and diverted to other terminals. There are severe delays and passengers should check with their airlines immediately. If you are picking up someone arriving, please check, as their flight, will most likely, be diverted to another terminal.

Check the important information page of the airport for latest information. You can also follow the IAH airport on Twitter.

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