{
  "response": {
    "Key": "HOU-SJU",
    "orig": {
      "code": "HOU",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Houston",
      "fullCity": "Houston, Texas",
      "airport": "William P Hobby Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "SJU",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "San Juan",
      "fullCity": "San Juan, Puerto Rico",
      "airport": "Luis Munoz Marin Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Houston to San Juan?",
        "answer": "A nonstop flight from Houston (IAH) to San Juan (SJU) typically takes about 4 hours 20–30 minutes. With one stop, common layover cities like Miami or Atlanta extend total travel time to roughly 6–8 hours. The return flight may be slightly shorter due to prevailing winds, often around 4 hours 10 minutes nonstop."
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Houston to San Juan?",
        "answer": "Yes, Southwest flies nonstop from Houston Hobby (HOU) to San Juan (SJU) daily, with up to four departures — typically at 11:20 AM, 11:35 AM, 2:45 PM, and 5:00 PM. It's the only airline offering nonstop service on this route, with a typical fare around $262 one‑way.",
        "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"
        ]
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in San Juan?",
        "answer": "At San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), taxis and ride‑share services like Uber are the fastest and most popular ways to reach the city center, with a flat‑rate taxi to Old San Juan or Condado costing around $20–$25. The Puerto Rico Metropolitan Bus Authority runs public buses from the airport, but service is limited and not widely used by visitors due to infrequent schedules and no direct route to tourist areas. Car rentals are readily available at the airport for those planning to explore beyond San Juan. While a light‑rail system (Tren Urbano) exists, it does not connect to the airport, so it isn't a practical option for this trip.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Mu%C3%B1oz_Mar%C3%ADn_International_Airport",
            "title": "Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-21T20:24:02Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20the%20busiest%20airports%20in%20Puerto%20Rico",
            "title": "List of the busiest airports in Puerto Rico",
            "time_published": "2025-09-20T07:52:17Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Mu%C3%B1oz_Marin_International_Airport",
            "title": "Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport - Wikipedia",
            "time_published": "2002-09-10T02:45:15Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_busiest_airports_in_Puerto_Rico",
            "title": "List of the busiest airports in Puerto Rico",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2025-09-20T07:52:17Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto%20Rico%20Metropolitan%20Bus%20Authority",
            "title": "Puerto Rico Metropolitan Bus Authority",
            "time_published": "2026-01-08T02:20:19Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Houston to San Juan?",
        "answer": "The cheapest months to fly from Houston to San Juan are August, September, and October, with average fares as low as $443 in August. The most expensive months are December, March, and June, with average prices peaking at $678 in 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 San Juan?",
        "answer": "For flights from Houston to San Juan, the best fares typically appear when booking 9 to 11 weeks ahead, with average prices around $553. The cheapest single day to book is about 75 days before departure, at $551, while last-minute tickets can jump to $819.",
        "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 Juan?",
        "answer": "No nonstop red-eye flights operate from Houston Hobby (HOU) to San Juan (SJU). One connecting red-eye itinerary exists, where Frontier flies the overnight leg from Orlando (MCO) to San Juan departing at 11:17 PM and arriving at 2:15 AM — the arrival is in the early hours of the next day, with a long layover of about 6 hours in Orlando before the connecting flight from Houston.",
        "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 Juan?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines operates the only nonstop service from Houston Hobby to San Juan, with 8 weekly flights departing daily at various times. The typical fare on Southwest for this route is around $456, making it the low-fare leader.",
        "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 Juan?",
        "answer": "Common layover cities include Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, and Orlando. These hubs offer frequent flights, broad connections, and efficient transfers, keeping total travel time competitive."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time departures on this route from Houston to San Juan?",
        "answer": "On‑time reliability is generally good, though afternoon thunderstorms in Houston can cause delays. Early morning flights, particularly on United, tend to depart on schedule."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Houston to San Juan?",
        "answer": "U.S. citizens need only a Real ID or passport for this domestic route. Non-citizens should carry a valid passport and any required U.S. visa. Bring a payment method for bags and any necessary health documents."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in San Juan?",
        "answer": "San Juan is served by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, the primary gateway for the region located just 3 miles from Old San Juan and Condado. It handles all commercial flights to the city."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to William P Hobby Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "To reach William P. Hobby Airport from downtown Houston, the most popular and often fastest option is a ride‑share like Uber or Lyft, which is widely available and takes about 20–30 minutes in normal traffic. Taxis are also readily accessible and offer a similar door‑to‑door experience at a slightly higher cost. For a more budget‑friendly choice, shared shuttle services operate between downtown hotels and the airport, though they may add extra stops and travel time. Public transit via METRO bus route 40 connects downtown to the airport, but it is the slowest option and requires a transfer from the light rail. Driving and parking is straightforward with several on‑airport lots, though daily rates can add up for longer trips.",
        "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 Juan airport?",
        "answer": "San Juan Airport (SJU) itself does not have any on-site hotels, capsule hotels, or sleeping pods. The closest hotel is the Residence Inn San Juan Isla Verde, located about a 5-minute drive away, with a complimentary airport shuttle. Other nearby hotels in the Isla Verde area also offer shuttle services.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Mu%C3%B1oz_Mar%C3%ADn_International_Airport",
            "title": "Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-21T20:24:02Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://sleepinginairports.net/guides/san-juan-airport-guide.htm",
            "title": "San Juan Airport Guide (SJU) - 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": "2018-10-02T00:00:36Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/puerto-rico/utuado/activities/departure_from_old_san_juan_to_san_juan_sju_airport_by_minibus-XPVY9Q?property=PSEAL",
            "title": "Departure from Old San Juan to San Juan SJU Airport by Minibus",
            "time_published": "2026-04-10T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/puerto-rico/san-juan/activities/san_juan_luxury_private_round_trip_transfer_sju_airport_cruise_pier_hotel-X48MR8?property=SJUXR",
            "title": "San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel",
            "time_published": "2026-05-04T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis%20Mu%C3%B1oz%20Mar%C3%ADn%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-23T21:46:13Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/es/en-us/hotels/sjurv-residence-inn-san-juan-isla-verde/overview/",
            "title": "Hotels San Juan Isla Verde Carolina, Puerto Rico | Residence Inn",
            "time_published": "2025-02-19T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Houston to San Juan?",
        "answer": "The most common aircraft on the nonstop Houston (HOU) to San Juan route is the Boeing 737 MAX 9, operated by United. Connecting itineraries typically use Boeing 737-800s and 737 MAX 8s (via Miami, Orlando, or Baltimore on American or Southwest), along with some Airbus A320-family and A321 jets on JetBlue and American connections. Specific equipment can vary by day and airline, but these 737 variants dominate the route. Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available on these aircraft, though exact amenities depend on the carrier and the particular plane.",
        "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 Juan?",
        "answer": "Nonstop Houston (HOU) to San Juan (SJU) flights are operated solely by Southwest Airlines, which is not a member of any global alliance. Connecting itineraries on this route are available through United (Star Alliance), American (oneworld), and Delta (SkyTeam), while JetBlue also offers connections but belongs to no alliance.",
        "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. Stop counts, connecting hubs, and per-airline prices are drawn from a large sample of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours. We group those fares by number of stops, by the hub airport a connection routes through, and by operating airline, and report each group's share of the sample alongside its lowest and median price. 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",
          "route_options",
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "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 United Club or American Airlines Admirals Club, nor independent lounges such as Plaza Premium. The only lounge-like option is an XpresSpa in the Central Concourse near Gate 45, accessible to Priority Pass members as a single lounge visit for a 25-minute massage chair or hydromassage session. It is open daily from 06:00 to 21:00, but capacity is limited and access is at the spa's discretion.",
        "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 Juan?",
        "answer": "Baggage allowance varies by airline and fare class. Basic economy fares are restrictive and may charge for both carry-on and checked bags. Standard economy typically includes one carry-on and one personal item, but checked bags may incur fees. For US carriers, Puerto Rico is treated as domestic, so international baggage rules do not apply."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Houston to San Juan?",
        "answer": "Flights from Houston to San Juan typically offer Economy and recliner‑style Business class; Premium Economy and flat‑bed seats are uncommon on this route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies vary; flexible and premium cabin tickets generally allow same‑day changes or standby, while Basic Economy tickets usually do not."
      }
    }
  }
}