{
  "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": "A nonstop flight from Houston to St. Louis typically takes about 2 hours to 2 hours 10 minutes. With one stop, total travel time usually ranges from 3 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours, depending on the layover city. Southwest and United often offer the quickest nonstop options on this route."
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Yes, Southwest flies nonstop from Houston Hobby to St. Louis daily, with up to 123 weekly flights. Departures are spread throughout the day from early morning to late evening, and the median fare is around $172.",
        "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 St. Louis?",
        "answer": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) offers several ground transportation options to downtown, about 14 miles away. The MetroLink light rail provides direct, economical service to the city center and is a popular choice. Taxis, ride‑share services, and rental cars are also readily available for more flexibility. The MetroLink is often the most used due to its low cost and efficiency, while ride‑sharing is the fastest door‑to‑door option.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "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": "The cheapest months to fly from Houston Hobby to St. Louis are October, September, and August, with average fares as low as $266. The most expensive months are June, April, and July, where average fares peak at $455.",
        "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 St. Louis?",
        "answer": "For flights from Houston (HOU) to St. Louis (STL), the best time to book is 4 to 6 weeks before departure, when average fares are around $276. Booking last-minute can cost nearly double, while the absolute cheapest fares are occasionally available around 100 days out, though waiting too long into summer or holiday periods can push prices higher.",
        "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 St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Yes, Southwest operates nonstop red‑eye flights from Houston Hobby to St. Louis four evenings a week — Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday — with departures at 9:55 PM and 10:20 PM. These are late‑night hops that arrive before 4 AM, so they land in the very early hours rather than the next morning.",
        "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 St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Common layovers include Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare and Denver, which offer frequent connections and efficient transfers on major airlines like Southwest, American, United and Delta. Visa‑free transit is irrelevant for this domestic route."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time departures on this route from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "On‑time performance is typical for domestic routes, though afternoon thunderstorms in Houston can cause delays. Early morning flights on Southwest tend to depart on schedule."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "April to May and September to October offer pleasant temperatures and fewer visitors."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "For domestic U.S. flights, bring a Real ID or passport, ensure the name matches your ticket and carry payment for baggage and any required health documents."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in St. Louis?",
        "answer": "St. Louis Lambert International is the only major commercial airport serving St. Louis. It is located about 14 miles northwest of downtown and handles all scheduled passenger flights."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to William P Hobby Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Houston, the most popular and fastest way to reach William P. Hobby Airport is by ride‑share or taxi, taking about 20‑30 minutes via I‑45 South. Public transportation is available via METRO bus route 40, which connects to the airport, though it takes longer. Shuttle services and rental cars are also available, and on‑site parking includes both garage and economy lots. Ride‑share and taxis are generally more expensive than the bus, while shuttles fall somewhere in between.",
        "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 St. Louis airport?",
        "answer": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) does not have an on-site hotel, capsule hotel, or sleeping pods inside the terminals. The Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel is located nearby at 9801 Natural Bridge Road and offers a complimentary 24-hour shuttle to and from the airport. Other nearby hotels with shuttle service include the Quality Inn and Pear Tree Inn, all just minutes away.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "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": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Information on currency exchange offices and prayer rooms or chapels at the airport is not available.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "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, wheelchair assistance is arranged directly through your airline (request at least 48 hours ahead), while the airport provides accessible shuttles, elevators, tactile signage, ADA-compliant restrooms, and companion care facilities near Gate 45. TSA Cares can assist with security screening if contacted 72 hours in advance. At St. Louis Lambert, accessibility features include wheelchair access, visual and audio aids, and trained staff; the airport also offers designated children's play areas and nursing rooms for 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://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 nonstop flights between Houston (HOU) and St. Louis (STL) are most commonly operated with the Embraer 175 (United) and the Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Southwest), with occasional appearances of the Boeing 737-800 and Bombardier CRJ-550. Southwest dominates the route, so the 737 MAX 8 is the most frequent type overall, though the exact aircraft can vary by day. On connecting itineraries the long leg is typically a 737 MAX 8 or 737-800 via Dallas or Denver, while shorter regional jets like the Embraer 170/175 and Canadair Regional Jet 700/900 handle the feeder legs.",
        "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 alliances. Other alliances may serve the route via connections, but no SkyTeam, oneworld, or Star Alliance carrier operates it 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.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Houston?",
        "answer": "William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) has no traditional airline-branded lounges (such as a United Club or Delta Sky Club) or widely known independent lounges like Plaza Premium. The only lounge-like option is an XpresSpa location accessible with Priority Pass, offering 25-minute sessions in massage chairs or loungers rather than a conventional lounge experience with seating, food, and drinks.",
        "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 St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Baggage policies vary by airline and fare class. Basic economy tickets are the most restrictive and may not include a carry-on or checked bag. Standard economy typically includes a carry-on but often charges for checked bags on domestic routes."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Houston to St. Louis flights typically offer Economy class only, as Premium Economy and flat-bed Business are not common on this short domestic route."
      },
      "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."
      }
    }
  }
}