{
  "response": {
    "Key": "HOU-MDE",
    "orig": {
      "code": "HOU",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Houston",
      "fullCity": "Houston, Texas",
      "airport": "William P Hobby Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "MDE",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Medellín",
      "fullCity": "Medellín, Colombia",
      "airport": "Medellin Jose Maria Cordova"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Houston to Medellín?",
        "answer": "There are no nonstop flights from Houston (IAH or HOU) to Medellín (MDE); all options require at least one connection. Typical one-stop itineraries range from 6.5 to 8.5 hours, depending on the layover city. Common connections include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Panama City, and the return flight duration is similar."
      },
      "q2": {
        "question": "Are there visa requirements to travel from Houston to Medellín?",
        "answer": "Yes, visa requirements apply for travel between Houston and Medellín. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days in Colombia, but must have a valid passport and may need to show proof of onward travel. Colombian citizens traveling to the U.S. require a visa, unless they are dual nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country with an approved ESTA. Other nationalities should check both U.S. and Colombian entry rules based on their citizenship."
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Houston to Medellín?",
        "answer": "The cheapest months to fly from Houston to Medellín are September, August, and February, with average round‑trip fares down to $655. Late spring and the holiday season are the most expensive, with average prices climbing above $1,000 in May, June, and December.",
        "methodology": "This 'good deal' estimate shows a representative best price for each departure date across roughly a 12-month window (about 3 months back and 9 months forward). It is built from real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, accumulated into a price history for each departure date. Rather than weighting all of that history equally, we apply exponential time decay so recent prices dominate — a price seen yesterday counts almost in full, one from about a month ago roughly a third, and prices from a few months back very little — giving a figure that tracks today's market instead of a stale long-run average. Clear price outliers are removed before any calculation, departure dates with no observations are filled in from nearby dates, and the resulting curve is lightly smoothed so it reads as a clean seasonal trend rather than day-to-day noise.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "seasonal_prices"
        ]
      },
      "q5": {
        "question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Houston to Medellín?",
        "answer": "For flights from Houston to Medellín, the optimal booking window is 11 to 14 weeks before departure, with average fares around $1,056. The cheapest single day to book is about 55 days out at $1,046, while waiting until the last minute can push prices up to $1,841. For peak summer and holiday travel, booking even earlier—around 4 to 5 months ahead—is wise to secure better availability and avoid steeper last‑minute premiums.",
        "methodology": "This booking-window guidance is built from the same real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, re-grouped by how many days before departure each price was seen (from the departure day out to about 180 days ahead) across the route's price history. At each booking lead time we report the 25th-percentile price — the cheaper end of what travelers were quoted, rather than the rock-bottom minimum (which can be a fluke) or the average (which is pulled up by expensive last-minute fares). The buy-or-wait advice then applies a risk premium that grows as departure approaches, since seat availability shrinks and prices become less predictable; using that adjusted curve we flag windows where waiting is likely to save a meaningful amount (at least $20 or 5%) versus windows where booking now is the better call. Isolated single-day recommendations are filtered out, so the advice only reflects a window that holds for several days in a row.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "booking_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Houston to Medellín?",
        "answer": "There are no nonstop red-eye flights from Houston to Medellín. One connecting red-eye itinerary appears in the schedule: a United overnight leg from Houston (IAH) to San Juan (SJU) departing at 11:56 PM and arriving at 5:29 AM, which lands in the early hours, then connects to Avianca after a long layover. No other red-eye options were found on this route.",
        "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"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Houston and Medellín?",
        "answer": "Common layovers include Miami, Panama City, and Bogotá. Miami offers frequent connections and efficient transfers, Panama City provides a modern hub with quick transit times, and Bogotá is the gateway with the most onward flights to Medellín."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time departures on this route from Houston to Medellín?",
        "answer": "On‑time performance is generally reliable, but afternoon thunderstorms in Houston can cause delays. Early flights, particularly on United, offer the best chance for a punctual departure."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to Medellín?",
        "answer": "December to March and July to August offer drier weather and pleasant temperatures, with fewer tourists outside Colombian holidays."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Houston to Medellín?",
        "answer": "Bring a passport valid for at least six months, a completed Check-Mig form, proof of onward or return travel, a payment method for baggage and any required vaccination certificates."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in Medellín?",
        "answer": "José María Córdova International Airport is the primary airport, located about 45 minutes from downtown in Rionegro. It handles all international flights and most domestic services. Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport is closer to the city center but only serves regional and domestic flights, mainly for smaller aircraft and low-cost carriers."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to William P Hobby Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Houston, the fastest and most popular option to William P. Hobby Airport is a ride-share like Uber or Lyft, which takes about 15–20 minutes. Taxis are also available and cost slightly more, while shared shuttle vans offer a cheaper but slower ride. Public transit via METRO bus route 40 is the least expensive, taking about 45 minutes from downtown, and driving yourself means using the airport's on-site parking garages or economy lots.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "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 Medellín airport?",
        "answer": "José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) does not have on-site hotels, capsule hotels, or dedicated sleeping pods within the terminal. However, several nearby hotels are available, including Movich Hotel Las Lomas, which offers a free shuttle that runs every 30 minutes. Other nearby options like Hotel Lagoon and Hostal El Hangar do not provide airport shuttles.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/medellin-jose-maria-cordova-airport-guide.htm",
            "title": "Medellin José María Córdova Airport Guide",
            "time_published": "2025-08-13T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://activities.marriott.com/south-america/colombia/medellin/activities/medellin_private_transfer_from_medellin_airport-XBH85X?property=MDEFI",
            "title": "Medellin private transfer from Medellin airport",
            "time_published": "2026-01-22T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://activities.marriott.com/south-america/colombia/medellin/activities/medell%C3%ADn_private_transfer_jos%C3%A9_mar%C3%ADa_c%C3%B3rdova_airport-XM1Y6T?property=MDEFI",
            "title": "Medellín Private Transfer: José María Córdova Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-03-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9%20Mar%C3%ADa%20C%C3%B3rdova%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "José María Córdova International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-28T11:50:41Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://all.accor.com/lien_externe.svlt?code_hotel=7381&goto=fiche_hotel&merchantid=seo-maps-CO-7381&sa=X&sourceid=aw-cen&ved=2ahUKEwjV8cDf3reVAxU5APkAHZuvDEEQyK4DegUIAxC0BQ",
            "title": "Affordable and conveniently located hotel in Medellin | ibis - ALL",
            "time_published": "2026-06-21T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "http://activities.marriott.com/south-america/colombia/medellin/activities/private_medellin_mde_airport_pick_up_transfer_service_one_way-XHE8RG",
            "title": "Private Medellin MDE airport pick up transfer service one way",
            "time_published": "2026-04-06T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q15": {
        "question": "Are there currency exchange offices, prayer rooms and Wi‑Fi at Medellin Jose Maria Cordova?",
        "answer": "Medellín José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) offers currency exchange services, with money exchange facilities and banks available in the terminal. Prayer rooms or chapels are not mentioned in the available amenity descriptions for this airport. Free Wi‑Fi availability is not specified, though the airport does provide a range of other passenger amenities like restaurants, shops, and VIP lounges.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9%20Mar%C3%ADa%20C%C3%B3rdova%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "José María Córdova International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-28T11:50:41Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20airports%20in%20Colombia",
            "title": "List of airports in Colombia",
            "time_published": "2026-01-14T10:39:20Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olaya%20Herrera%20Airport",
            "title": "Olaya Herrera Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-19T17:52:04Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AeroTrain_(Dulles_International_Airport)",
            "title": "AeroTrain (Dulles International Airport)",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-03-17T21:57:59Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Tampa_International_Airport",
            "title": "Template:Tampa International Airport",
            "time_published": "2025-11-01T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q16": {
        "question": "Are there accessible services or children's facilities at the Houston and Medellín airports?",
        "answer": "At Houston Hobby (HOU), wheelchair assistance is arranged through your airline, and the airport offers accessible shuttles, elevators, tactile signage, ADA-compliant restrooms, and companion care facilities; TSA Cares can provide security screening support when contacted at least 72 hours in advance. Service animals are welcome and a relief area is available post-security, though there are no dedicated children's play areas mentioned. At Medellín's José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), specific accessibility services and children's facilities are not detailed in available sources, but airlines can assist with mobility needs if requested in advance—typically 48 hours—and the terminal includes restaurants and shops that may cater to families.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9%20Mar%C3%ADa%20C%C3%B3rdova%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "José María Córdova International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-28T11:50:41Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AeroTrain_(Dulles_International_Airport)",
            "title": "AeroTrain (Dulles International Airport)",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-03-17T21:57:59Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulevard_Puerto_Aéreo_metro_station",
            "title": "Boulevard Puerto Aéreo metro station",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-11T22:21:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Intermodal_Center",
            "title": "Miami Intermodal Center",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-17T17:36:28Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IND_Concourse_Line",
            "title": "IND Concourse Line",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-05-23T06:59:37Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Houston to Medellín?",
        "answer": "United Airlines flies a Boeing 737 MAX 8 nonstop from Houston (Hobby) to Medellín. On connecting itineraries, the most common long-leg aircraft are the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A320-family jets, with the 737 MAX 8 appearing most often across one-stop routings via Miami, Panama City, San José, and San Salvador. The exact aircraft can vary by day and airline, and while Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available on these modern narrowbodies, specific features depend on the carrier and the particular aircraft operating your flight.",
        "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"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Houston?",
        "answer": "William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) does not have traditional airline-branded lounges like a United Club or Delta Sky Club, as it is primarily served by Southwest Airlines which does not operate lounges. The only lounge-like option is the XpresSpa (formerly XpresSpa), accessible via Priority Pass membership, which offers 25-minute sessions on massage chairs or similar relaxation equipment instead of a conventional lounge space with seating and refreshments. It is located airside near Gate 45 in the Central Concourse and is open daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, subject to capacity. Travelers seeking a full lounge experience with complimentary food and drinks will not find one at HOU, though some may find value in the spa as a quiet break before a flight.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "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 Medellín?",
        "answer": "Baggage allowance depends on the airline and fare type. Basic economy tickets often exclude checked bags, while standard international economy usually includes one checked bag and a carry-on. Premium cabins offer more generous allowances."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Houston to Medellín?",
        "answer": "Flights from Houston to Medellín typically offer Economy and flat‑bed Business class; Premium Economy is uncommon, and First class is generally not available."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies vary by airline and fare; flexible and higher cabin tickets often allow same-day changes or standby, while basic economy typically does not."
      }
    }
  }
}