{
  "response": {
    "Key": "HOU-SJC",
    "orig": {
      "code": "HOU",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Houston",
      "fullCity": "Houston, Texas",
      "airport": "William P Hobby Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "SJC",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "San Jose",
      "fullCity": "San Jose, California",
      "airport": "Mineta Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Houston to San Jose?",
        "answer": "A nonstop flight from Houston (HOU) to San Jose (SJC) typically takes around 4 hours. Flights with one stop, often via Dallas or Phoenix, usually range from 5 to 7 hours total travel time."
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Houston to San Jose?",
        "answer": "Yes, Southwest flies nonstop from Houston Hobby to San Jose daily, with about 30 flights a week spread across roughly 14 departure times from early morning through late evening. It's the only airline on the route, and the typical fare runs around $235.",
        "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. Carrier service and weekly frequencies are summarized from our flight-schedule database, which draws on published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data, and observed operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). Where available, on-time and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, and typical fares from the U.S. DOT Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B), a quarterly 10% sample of tickets sold. 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_airlines",
          "flight_schedule",
          "route_aircraft"
        ]
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Houston to San Jose?",
        "answer": "The cheapest months to fly from Houston to San Jose are September and August, with average fares around $381 and $390. Late spring (April and May) is moderate, while the most expensive months are March, July, and June, peaking at an average of $526 in March.",
        "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 San Jose?",
        "answer": "For the Houston to San Jose route, book 3–6 weeks ahead for the best fares, with an average of $273 in that window. For summer and holiday travel, aim closer to 6–8 weeks out, as prices can rise sharply when booking much further in advance or at the last minute.",
        "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 San Jose?",
        "answer": "No overnight (red-eye) flights operate on the Houston Hobby to San Jose route — neither nonstop nor connecting itineraries with a red-eye long leg were found in the schedule.",
        "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 San Jose?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines operates nonstop from Houston Hobby to San Jose with 30 weekly flights, departing daily at various times throughout the day. No median fare is listed for this route, so typical pricing isn't available from this data.",
        "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"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Houston and San Jose?",
        "answer": "Common layover cities include Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, and Las Vegas, offering efficient transfers and competitive total travel times. Visa‑free transit is irrelevant for this domestic route."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time departures on this route from Houston to San Jose?",
        "answer": "On-time performance is generally reliable, though afternoon and evening flights can face delays from weather or congestion. Southwest Airlines, which offers many nonstops from Hobby, tends to have solid punctuality, and choosing the earliest departures improves your odds."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to San Jose?",
        "answer": "April to June and September to October offer pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Houston to San Jose?",
        "answer": "For this domestic flight, bring a Real ID, passport, or other TSA-accepted ID, and have a payment method ready for any baggage fees."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in San Jose?",
        "answer": "San Jose has one primary airport, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, located about 3 miles from downtown."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to William P Hobby Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Houston, William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is about 7–11 miles southeast and reachable by taxi, ride‑share (Uber/Lyft), shared shuttles, rental car, or driving yourself. Public transit is limited; METRO bus 40 runs from a few points but is slow and not a direct airport express. Ride‑share and taxis are the most popular for door‑to‑door convenience, while driving and parking is cheaper for short trips—economy lots are budget‑friendly but fill up fast.",
        "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 San Jose airport?",
        "answer": "San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) does not have on-site hotels, capsule hotels, or sleeping pods inside the terminals. There are nearby hotels within a quick shuttle ride, such as the Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Airport, which is about 5 minutes away. Ticketed passengers with a boarding pass for a connecting flight may remain in the terminals overnight, but seating is limited and most chairs have armrests.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/san-jose-airport-guide-us.htm",
            "title": "San Jose Airport Guide",
            "time_published": "2025-06-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Y._Mineta_San_Jos%C3%A9_International_Airport",
            "title": "San Jose International Airport - Wikipedia",
            "time_published": "2026-03-15T19:59:16Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose_International_Airport",
            "title": "San Jose International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-07-06T10:50:58Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/sjcya-courtyard-san-jose-airport/experiences/",
            "title": "Experiences Near Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Airport | Marriott Bonvoy",
            "time_published": "2025-09-13T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/costa-rica/san-jose/activities/departure_by_minivan_from_san_jose_city_to_san_jose_airport_sjo-X6ALJP",
            "title": "Departure by Minivan from San Jose City to San Jose Airport SJO",
            "time_published": "2026-02-12T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.faa.gov/sjc",
            "title": "Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) | Federal Aviation Administration",
            "favicon": "https://www.faa.gov/themes/custom/faa/favicon.png",
            "time_published": "2026-05-22T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Houston to San Jose?",
        "answer": "Nonstop flights from Houston Hobby to San Jose are operated by Southwest and United, with the Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 9, and an unspecified 737 variant appearing in the schedule. On connecting itineraries, Southwest 737 MAX 8s and 737-800s are the most common long-leg equipment, routing through Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, or San Diego, while American and Alaska also offer one-stop options using a mix of Embraer 170/175, Canadair Regional Jet, and Boeing 737-900 aircraft. Specific aircraft vary by day and airline, and many Southwest flights list an unspecified type, but the route is dominated by Boeing 737 family jets.",
        "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 San Jose?",
        "answer": "From Houston Hobby (HOU), Southwest Airlines flies nonstop to San Jose — Southwest is not part of any global alliance. From Houston Intercontinental (IAH), United Airlines flies nonstop and is a Star Alliance member. Other alliances may serve the route via connections, but no specific carriers outside these two operate nonstop.",
        "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. Carrier service and weekly frequencies are summarized from our flight-schedule database, which draws on published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data, and observed operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). Where available, on-time and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, and typical fares from the U.S. DOT Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B), a quarterly 10% sample of tickets sold.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines",
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Houston?",
        "answer": "Houston Hobby (HOU) is a single-terminal airport and does not have any traditional airline-branded lounges (such as United Club, Delta Sky Club, or American Admirals Club). The only lounge-like option is a Priority Pass-affiliated XpresSpa near Gate 45 in the Central Concourse, which offers 25-minute massage chair or hydromassage sessions as a lounge visit substitute for Priority Pass members. There are no pay-in day passes or business-class lounges at HOU.",
        "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 San Jose?",
        "answer": "Baggage rules vary by airline and fare type. Basic economy often limits you to a personal item and charges for carry-on and checked bags, while standard economy typically includes a carry-on and personal item but may still charge for checked luggage. Check your specific fare for exact details."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Houston to San Jose?",
        "answer": "On this domestic route, flights usually offer Economy and standard domestic First class recliners; flat‑bed Business and Premium Economy are not typical."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies vary by airline and fare; flexible and higher cabins typically allow same‑day changes or standby, while basic economy tickets generally do not."
      }
    }
  }
}