{
  "response": {
    "Key": "IAH-SJO",
    "orig": {
      "code": "IAH",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Houston",
      "fullCity": "Houston, Texas",
      "airport": "George Bush Intercontinental Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "SJO",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "San José",
      "fullCity": "San José, Costa Rica",
      "airport": "Juan Santamaría Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Houston to San José?",
        "answer": "A nonstop flight from Houston (IAH) to San José (SJO) usually takes about 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes. With one stop, total travel time is typically 6 to 8 hours, depending on the connection city. The return flight often takes a similar duration, though westbound flights may be slightly shorter due to tailwinds."
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Houston to San José?",
        "answer": "United Airlines flies nonstop from Houston (IAH) to San José (SJO) with 63 weekly flights, operating daily. Departures are spread throughout the day from early morning (around 7:30 AM) through the evening (around 8 PM), with typical fares around $916.",
        "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"
        ]
      },
      "q2": {
        "question": "Are there visa requirements to travel from Houston to San José?",
        "answer": "Yes — visa requirements depend on your nationality. For U.S. citizens traveling from Houston to San José, no visa is required for tourist stays up to 90 days; just a valid passport. For Costa Rican citizens traveling from San José to Houston, a visa is required unless they hold a valid U.S. visa or are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (Costa Rica is not currently a member), so most will need a B1/B2 visa. Always check the latest entry rules before travel."
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Houston to San José?",
        "answer": "The cheapest months to fly from Houston to San José are April, October, and May, with average fares around $548–$605, while December and March are the most expensive, averaging $712–$795.",
        "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 José?",
        "answer": "For the best fare from Houston to San José, book 14 to 17 weeks ahead, where prices average around $645. Booking last minute can cost over $900, and summer or holiday periods likely push optimal timing slightly earlier to avoid peak demand.",
        "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 José?",
        "answer": "No red-eye flights operate from Houston (IAH) to San José (SJO) — there are no nonstop overnight departures, and no connecting itineraries have a red-eye long leg 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"
        ]
      },
      "q7": {
        "question": "Which airlines usually operate this route from Houston to San José?",
        "answer": "United Airlines flies nonstop from Houston (IAH) to San José (SJO) with 63 weekly flights, departing throughout the day, and a typical fare around $916.",
        "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 José?",
        "answer": "Common layovers include Miami, Atlanta, Panama City, and Mexico City. Miami and Atlanta provide extensive connections and frequent flights. Panama City offers a central hub with efficient transfers, while Mexico City provides a convenient midpoint with visa-free transit for many nationalities."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time departures on this route from Houston to San José?",
        "answer": "On‑time performance is generally reliable, though afternoon thunderstorms in Houston can cause delays. Morning flights on United often depart on schedule."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to San José?",
        "answer": "December to April is the dry season, offering sunny days and lower humidity, with fewer crowds in early December and late April."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Houston to San José?",
        "answer": "You'll need a passport valid for at least three months beyond your stay, proof of onward or return travel, and payment for baggage. U.S. citizens don't need a visa for stays under 180 days but must show a return ticket. Vaccination certificates aren't required."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in San José?",
        "answer": "Juan Santamaría International Airport is the only airport in San José, located about 20 minutes northwest of downtown. It serves as the primary gateway for all international and domestic flights to the region."
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Houston to San José?",
        "answer": "Nonstop flights from Houston to San José use the Boeing 737 MAX 8, operated by Southwest and United. On connecting itineraries, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 is also common on the long leg, along with the Boeing 737 MAX 9 and Airbus A320 variants, depending on the routing. The exact aircraft can vary by day and airline, though Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available on these modern 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 José?",
        "answer": "United Airlines is the only carrier with nonstop service from Houston (IAH) to San José (SJO). United is a member of Star Alliance, so Star Alliance is the sole alliance serving this route nonstop; other alliances may offer connecting itineraries.",
        "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 George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), departing passengers can access several lounges. United Airlines operates multiple United Clubs in Terminals C and E, offering complimentary snacks, beverages, and Wi-Fi; access is available to United Club members, premium cabin travelers, and Star Alliance Gold members. In Terminal D, the American Express Centurion Lounge provides an elevated experience with chef-inspired meals, a full bar, and shower suites, accessible to eligible American Express cardholders. Also in Terminal D, the Air France Lounge and KLM Crown Lounge welcome business class passengers and SkyTeam Elite Plus members, featuring comfortable seating and light refreshments. Priority Pass members can access the Minute Suites in Terminal C for private rest spaces, though availability varies.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/iah",
            "title": "IAH Houston Airport | George Bush Intercontinental",
            "time_published": "2026-06-23T05:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-xb/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/IAH",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at George Bush Intercontinental Airport | Amex XB",
            "favicon": "https://www.americanexpress.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/delta-reserve/IAH",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at George Bush Intercontinental Airport | Amex US",
            "favicon": "https://www.americanexpress.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://my.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/george-bush-intercontinental/iah7-air-france-lounge",
            "title": "Air France Lounge IAH AIRPORT Terminal D George Bush Intercontinental | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://prioritypass.com/lounges/usa/houston-tx-george-bush-intercontinental/iahm-united-club",
            "title": "George Bush Intercontinental Airport - Houston IAH Lounges - IAH Airport Guide and lounges.  | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Houston to San José?",
        "answer": "Baggage allowance on flights from Houston to San José depends on the airline and fare class. Basic economy tickets are typically restrictive and may not include a checked bag, while standard international economy often includes one checked bag and a carry-on. Premium cabins generally offer more generous allowances."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Houston to San José?",
        "answer": "Houston to San José flights typically offer Economy and standard recliner Business class. Flat‑bed Business is uncommon, and Premium Economy is not typical on this route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies vary by airline and fare; flexible and higher cabins often allow same‑day changes or standby, while Basic Economy typically does not."
      }
    }
  }
}