You’re standing in Jacksonville International (JAX), probably grabbin’ a coffee at that Starbucks near the pre-security area, and you're thinking about Houston. Maybe it’s for a job in the Energy Corridor. Maybe it’s just to get some decent brisket at Truth BBQ. Honestly, most people just hop on the first flight they see on a search engine without realizing that flights from JAX to Houston are actually a tale of two very different cities—or at least, two very different airports.
Getting from the 904 to the Space City isn't just about clicking "buy." If you don't know the difference between IAH and HOU, you’re basically setting yourself up for a $70 Uber ride you didn't plan for.
The Great Houston Airport Debate: IAH vs. HOU
Most folks don't realize that where you land in Houston matters way more than which airline you pick. You’ve got George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby (HOU).
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IAH is the massive beast up north. It’s a United Airlines stronghold. If you’re looking for a nonstop from JAX, United is usually your go-to here. They run several direct flights a day, usually on Embraer 175s or similar regional jets. It’s a clean 2-hour and 45-minute hop. But man, IAH is huge. If you land at Terminal C and need to get to Ground Transportation, give yourself twenty minutes just to walk.
Then there’s Hobby (HOU). It’s smaller, closer to downtown, and primarily the playground of Southwest Airlines. Southwest usually runs one or two nonstops a day from JAX to HOU. The flight time is slightly shorter, around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Why does this matter?
- Downtown/Medical Center: Choose HOU. It’s about 10 miles from the city center.
- The Woodlands/Exxon Campus: You’ll regret not flying into IAH.
- Galveston: Actually, Hobby is closer, but it's still a haul.
Who's Actually Flying This Route in 2026?
Things have shifted a bit in the last year. While United and Southwest are the kings of the nonstop, you've got plenty of other players if you don't mind a layover.
Delta is always there, looming in Atlanta (ATL). You’ll fly JAX to ATL, spend 45 minutes sprinting through Terminal B, and then hop the second leg to Houston. It adds about two hours to your total travel time, but sometimes the Medallion perks or a cheaper fare make it worth it. American Airlines does the same through Charlotte (CLT) or Dallas (DFW).
Lately, Frontier has been poking around this route too. You can sometimes find crazy low fares—we're talking $64 one-way—if you're willing to fly into IAH and carry nothing but a backpack the size of a lunchbox.
The "Sweet Spot" for Booking
Stop looking for flights on Tuesday at 3:00 AM. That old "hack" is basically a travel urban legend at this point.
In 2026, the algorithms are smarter than us. For a domestic run like JAX to Houston, the real sweet spot is about 43 days out. If you book six months in advance, you’re often paying a "peace of mind" premium. If you book two weeks out, you’re paying the "desperate business traveler" tax.
Pro tip: October is statistically the cheapest month to fly this route. Houston is finally cooling down to a bearable 80 degrees, and the summer rush is dead. If you’re looking for the absolute basement prices, look at mid-week departures. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are almost always $50-$100 cheaper than flying out on a Friday afternoon when everyone else is trying to escape.
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Real Talk: The Logistics of Landing
Let’s talk about getting out of the airport. Houston is not a walking city. You need a plan.
At IAH, the new METRO Bus 500 (the "Downtown Direct") is a lifesaver. It’s $4.50 and takes you straight to the George R. Brown Convention Center. It beats paying $60 for a rideshare during surge pricing. If you’re heading to Hobby, the METRO Bus 40 is your budget friend, though it’s a bit more of a local crawl.
If you're renting a car—which, honestly, you probably should in Texas—both airports have consolidated rental centers. Just know that at IAH, you have to take a shuttle bus to get to the cars. It’s not a "walk across the street" situation like it is at some smaller airports.
What to Expect at JAX Before You Leave
Jacksonville International is actually one of the chillest airports in the South. Usually, TSA PreCheck at JAX is a 5-minute breeze. Even the standard line rarely goes over 20 minutes unless it’s a Monday morning.
But don't sleep on the food. If you have time before your Houston flight, grab something local. Southern Ground is decent, but the Burger King at JAX is legendary for being inexplicably faster than any other BK on the planet.
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Nonstop vs. Connecting: Is it Worth the Extra Cash?
Typically, a nonstop flight from JAX to Houston will run you between $250 and $400 round trip. If you see it for under $220, buy it immediately.
Connecting flights via Atlanta or Nashville can drop the price to the $150 range. Is three extra hours of your life worth $100? For some, yeah. For me? I’d rather pay the "nonstop tax" and be in Houston by lunchtime. There’s something specifically draining about the JAX-ATL-IAH route that makes a short trip feel like a cross-country odyssey.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Don't just browse. Execute. If you're planning a trip from Jacksonville to Houston, follow this checklist to avoid the common headaches:
- Check both airport codes. Don't just search "Houston." Search "HOU" and "IAH" separately. Sometimes Southwest has a "Wanna Get Away" fare to Hobby that doesn't show up on the big search aggregators.
- Use Google Flights Price Tracking. Set an alert for your specific dates. The prices for this route fluctuate wildly—I’ve seen them swing $150 in a single afternoon.
- Factor in the Uber. If IAH is $20 cheaper but your hotel is near Hobby, you’re actually losing money after you pay for the transit.
- Download the airline app. Both United and Southwest have gotten much better about real-time gate change notifications. JAX is small, but Houston airports change gates like people change socks.
- Pack for the humidity. Whatever you think it’s like in Jax, Houston is usually a few degrees stickier.
By the time you touch down at Bush or Hobby, you'll have saved enough on the fare to treat yourself to some real Texas brisket. Just remember to check your terminal before you head back; there’s nothing worse than showing up at IAH when your flight is leaving from Hobby. Trust me, I’ve been there.