{
  "response": {
    "Key": "HOU-STL",
    "orig": {
      "code": "HOU",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Houston",
      "fullCity": "Houston, Texas",
      "airport": "William P Hobby Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "STL",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "St. Louis",
      "fullCity": "St. Louis, Missouri",
      "airport": "Lambert Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "The flight from Houston (HOU) to St. Louis (STL) is about 688 miles, with a typical nonstop duration of 2 hours. The return leg takes about 2 hours 5 minutes, a minor difference. Southwest Airlines operates the route daily.",
        "methodology": "Flight times and distances come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time across all carriers on the route, computed the same way in both directions so the difference reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in method. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, so the actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines flies nonstop from Houston Hobby (HOU) to St. Louis (STL) daily, with up to 123 weekly flights. Departures are spread throughout the day from early morning (as early as 5:05 AM) through late evening (as late as 10:20 PM).",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in St. Louis?",
        "answer": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) offers several ground transportation options. The MetroLink light rail provides direct and economical service to downtown, making it a popular choice. Taxis, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, and numerous car rental agencies are also available. The light rail is often the most used option for its efficiency and low cost, while ride-sharing offers a faster, door-to-door alternative.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Lambert_International_Airport",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-15T19:57:22Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St.%20Louis%20Airport",
            "title": "St. Louis Airport",
            "time_published": "2022-05-18T03:16:52Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl/parking",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) Parking Rates and Map",
            "time_published": "2026-04-20T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Average fares from Houston to St. Louis bottom out around $351 in early February, the cheapest stretch reported for this route. The cheapest months overall are September at $355, February at $360, and October at $369, while the most expensive period is early July, when average fares climb to about $442.",
        "methodology": "Seasonal fares come from Priceline's own air booking-summary archive, analysed in-house and refreshed monthly. For each day of the year we take a representative round-trip fare, a blend of the 25th-percentile and average ticket price over the route's bookings, and smooth the series into a seasonal curve; the half-month low and high and the monthly figures quoted here are averages of that curve. Thin and international routes borrow their seasonal shape from the nearest busy routes, with the price level anchored to the route's own bookings.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "seasonal_prices"
        ]
      },
      "q5": {
        "question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "For flights from Houston to St. Louis, the optimal booking window is roughly 5 to 8 weeks before departure, with the absolute best fares around 40 days out averaging $271. Booking too far in advance (6 months out) typically costs closer to $487, while last-minute bookings within 2 weeks jump to $350-430. For summer and holiday peak periods, you should book even earlier—aim for 2-3 months ahead—since those dates sell out faster and prices rise quickly closer to departure.",
        "methodology": "Booking-window guidance comes from the same monthly in-house analysis of Priceline's own air booking-summary archive. We aggregate the route's bookings by how many days before departure they were made, from about 180 days out to the day of travel, smooth the curve, and highlight the stretch of lead times with the lowest average fare. Thin and international routes borrow the curve shape from the nearest busy routes, anchored to the route's own price level. It reflects current fares and is refreshed monthly.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "booking_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Yes, Southwest operates nonstop red-eye flights from Houston Hobby to St. Louis, with four weekly departures on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. The typical departure window is between 9:55 PM and 10:20 PM. These are late-night flights departing after 9 PM; the tool does not mark them as arriving the next day, so they land the same night.",
        "methodology": "Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "redeye_flights"
        ]
      },
      "q7": {
        "question": "Which airlines usually operate this route from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines operates nonstop from Houston Hobby to St. Louis with 123 weekly flights, providing frequent daily service. The median fare for Southwest on this route is not listed, so no typical fare can be stated. Other carriers may offer connecting itineraries, but Southwest is the sole nonstop operator.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a typical fare is shown for a carrier, it is the median of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Houston and St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Common layover cities between Houston and St. Louis include Dallas, Atlanta, and Chicago. These hubs offer frequent flights and efficient connections, keeping total travel time competitive on this domestic route."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time arrivals on this route from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines operates the Houston (Hobby) to St. Louis route with an on‑time arrival rate of 82.3% and a cancellation rate of just 0.4%. As the only carrier on this route, it ranks first for reliability.",
        "methodology": "On-time arrival and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, which covers U.S. domestic routes only; a flight counts as on time when it arrives within 15 minutes of schedule. Carriers are ranked by arrival on-time rate on this route, and the carrier list itself comes from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI).",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "April to early June and September to October offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds compared to summer."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Bring a valid Real ID or passport, a payment method for baggage, and any required health documents for this domestic flight."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in St. Louis?",
        "answer": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport is the only commercial airport serving the city. It is located about 14 miles northwest of downtown and handles all domestic and limited international flights."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to William P Hobby Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Houston, the most popular way to reach William P. Hobby Airport (about 7 miles away) is by ride‑share or taxi, which offer door‑to‑door convenience and are generally the fastest option. Shared shuttle vans provide a lower‑cost alternative, while public buses serve the airport with the most budget‑friendly fare, though the trip takes longer. Driving and parking at HOU is straightforward, with on‑airport garages and lots available, and reserving ahead can yield discounts.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou/ground-transportation",
            "title": "HOU Ground Transportation | Airport Shuttle, Taxi, Uber, Lyft & Rent Car Houston"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou",
            "title": "HOU Houston Airport | William P. Hobby",
            "time_published": "2026-06-09T05:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Hobby_Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-07-06T09:58:05Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William%20P.%20Hobby%20Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-21T04:20:29Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://faa.gov/flight_deck/hef",
            "title": "Manassas Regional Airport/Harry P. Davis Field (HEF) | Federal Aviation Administration",
            "time_published": "2026-03-10T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at St. Louis airport?",
        "answer": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) does not have on-site hotels, capsule hotels, or sleeping pods inside the terminals. However, several nearby hotels are connected by complimentary shuttle, including the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, which offers a free shuttle to and from the airport.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://sleepinginairports.net/guides/st-louis-lambert-airport-guide.htm",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert Airport Guide (STL) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "favicon": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/nitropack_static/oBWrHkPujHTPIaVWqdDSDhClXUyrYhhb/assets/images/optimized/rev-b853180/www.sleepinginairports.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cropped-sia-logo-180x180.png",
            "time_published": "2026-05-30T00:57:38Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://sleepinginairports.net/lounge/st-louis-airport/admirals-club-stl.htm",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert Airport Guide (STL) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "time_published": "2026-04-13T20:29:58Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/stlsa-renaissance-st-louis-airport-hotel/overview/?gclid=8030245d09671d030bbc421df72c6641&gclsrc=3p.ds&cid=PAI_GLB0004YXE_GLE000BIMM_GLF000OETR",
            "title": "Hotels near St. Louis Airport | Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel",
            "time_published": "2024-10-11T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "http://activities.marriott.com/north-america/usa/missouri/st.-louis/activities/arrival_transfer_st_louis_airport_stl_to_st_louis_by_car_or_suv-X1B5YX",
            "title": "Arrival transfer St. Louis Airport STL to St. Louis by Car or SUV",
            "time_published": "2026-05-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl/parking",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) Parking Rates and Map",
            "time_published": "2026-04-20T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q15": {
        "question": "Are there currency exchange offices, prayer rooms and Wi‑Fi at Lambert Intl Airport?",
        "answer": "Lambert‑St. Louis International Airport offers free Wi‑Fi throughout both terminals. The available information does not mention currency exchange offices or prayer rooms at the airport.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "favicon": "https://airport.guide/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Lambert_International_Airport",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-15T19:57:22Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St.%20Louis%20Lambert%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-05-01T13:15:49Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambert%20Airport%20Terminal%202%20station",
            "title": "Lambert Airport Terminal 2 station",
            "time_published": "2025-12-17T17:36:46Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q16": {
        "question": "Are there accessible services or children's facilities at the Houston and St. Louis airports?",
        "answer": "At Houston Hobby (HOU), wheelchair assistance must be arranged through your airline, ideally 48 hours in advance, and the airport itself provides accessible shuttles, elevators, tactile signage, ADA-compliant restrooms, and companion care facilities near Gate 45; travelers can also request TSA Cares support at least 72 hours ahead. St. Louis Lambert (STL) offers designated children's play areas and nursing rooms in both terminals, along with comprehensive accessibility features including wheelchair access, visual and audio aids, and trained staff, with similar advance-notice recommendations for airline and TSA assistance.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou/related-content/airport-assistance-disabled-travelers",
            "title": "What does airport assistance for disabled travelers include?",
            "time_published": "2026-01-23T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou",
            "title": "HOU Houston Airport | William P. Hobby",
            "time_published": "2026-06-09T05:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Hobby_Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-07-06T09:58:05Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William%20P.%20Hobby%20Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-21T04:20:29Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "http://faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/procedures/application/index.cfm?directory=2016122829046305004-HOU-NDBR&event=directory&nasrId=HOU&type=ndbr",
            "title": "Airport Procedures Information Gateway",
            "time_published": "2025-12-03T16:08:12Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "favicon": "https://airport.guide/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Lambert_International_Airport",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-15T19:57:22Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St.%20Louis%20Lambert%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-05-01T13:15:49Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambert%20Airport%20Terminal%202%20station",
            "title": "Lambert Airport Terminal 2 station",
            "time_published": "2025-12-17T17:36:46Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "The most common aircraft on the nonstop from Houston Hobby to St. Louis are the Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8, both operated by Southwest, along with the Embraer 175, Airbus A319, and Bombardier CRJ-550 on United. On connecting itineraries the long leg is typically a 737-800 or 737 MAX 8 (Southwest) through Dallas Love, Midway, or Nashville, or an Airbus A319/A320 or 737-800 on American via DFW. The exact aircraft can vary by day and airline, and Wi‑Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available across these fleets.",
        "methodology": "Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_aircraft"
        ]
      },
      "q18": {
        "question": "Which airline alliances serve flights from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines is the only carrier with nonstop service from Houston Hobby to St. Louis, and Southwest does not belong to any of the three global airline alliances, so no alliance serves this route nonstop. Other alliances may offer connecting itineraries, but none are represented by a nonstop operating carrier on this city pair.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Houston?",
        "answer": "At Houston Hobby Airport (HOU), there are no traditional airline-branded lounges like a United Club or Delta Sky Club, nor any widely known independent lounges such as Plaza Premium. The only lounge-like option is the XpresSpa, accessible post-security in the Central Concourse near Gate 45, which offers 25-minute wellness sessions in massage chairs or loungers for Priority Pass members and paying customers, but it is a spa rather than a full-service lounge with food and drinks. Southwest Airlines, which dominates HOU, does not operate a lounge at this airport. For a more comprehensive lounge experience, travelers can consider George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), which has multiple airline clubs and independent lounges.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou/related-content/hou-tips-for-first-time-travelers",
            "title": "Navigating William P. Hobby Airport (HOU): Tips for First-Time Travelers",
            "time_published": "2026-01-23T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.prioritypass.com/pt-PT/lounges/usa/houston-tx-william-p-hobby/hou2s-xpresspa",
            "title": "XWELL HOU AIRPORT Houston TX William P. Hobby | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Hobby_Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-07-06T09:58:05Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/william-p-hobby",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport HOU Lounges - HOU Airport Guide and lounges.  | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou",
            "title": "HOU Houston Airport | William P. Hobby",
            "time_published": "2026-06-09T05:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Baggage rules depend on the airline and fare type. Basic Economy often excludes a checked bag and may limit carry-ons to a small personal item. Standard economy typically includes a carry-on and personal item, but checked bags usually require a fee."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Flights from Houston to St. Louis typically offer Economy and standard Business class with recliner seats; flat‑bed Business and Premium Economy are not common on this domestic route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies vary by airline and fare; flexible and premium tickets usually allow same‑day changes or standby, while Basic Economy typically does not."
      }
    }
  }
}