{
  "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": "The flight from Houston (HOU) to St. Louis (STL) is about 688 miles, with a typical nonstop duration of 2 hours. The return leg takes about 2 hours 5 minutes, a minor difference. Southwest Airlines operates the route daily.",
        "methodology": "Flight times and distances come 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). The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time across all carriers on the route, computed the same way in both directions so the difference reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in method. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, so the actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines flies nonstop from Houston Hobby (HOU) to St. Louis (STL) daily, with up to 123 weekly flights. Departures are spread throughout the day from early morning (as early as 5:05 AM) through late evening (as late as 10:20 PM).",
        "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"
        ]
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in St. Louis?",
        "answer": "From St. Louis Lambert International Airport, the region's light rail system, MetroLink, offers direct service to downtown St. Louis and is the most-used and economical option for reaching the city center. Taxis and ride-share services like Uber and Lyft are available at both terminals, providing a faster but more expensive alternative. Car rentals are also accessible on-site, and the airport is about 14 miles northwest of downtown, making driving a practical choice for those needing flexibility.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "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": "2026-09-06T13:20:24Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/kstl/parking",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) Parking Rates and Map",
            "favicon": "https://airport.guide/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "favicon": "https://www.airport.guide/apple-touch-icon.png"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Average fares from Houston to St. Louis bottom out around $351 in early February, the cheapest stretch reported for this route. The cheapest months overall are September at $355, February at $360, and October at $369, while the most expensive period is early July, when average fares climb to about $442.",
        "methodology": "Seasonal fares come from Priceline's own air booking-summary archive, analysed in-house and refreshed monthly. For each day of the year we take a representative round-trip fare, a blend of the 25th-percentile and average ticket price over the route's bookings, and smooth the series into a seasonal curve; the half-month low and high and the monthly figures quoted here are averages of that curve. Thin and international routes borrow their seasonal shape from the nearest busy routes, with the price level anchored to the route's own bookings.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "seasonal_prices"
        ]
      },
      "q5": {
        "question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "For flights from Houston to St. Louis, the optimal booking window is roughly 5 to 8 weeks before departure, with the absolute best fares around 40 days out averaging $271. Booking too far in advance (6 months out) typically costs closer to $487, while last-minute bookings within 2 weeks jump to $350-430. For summer and holiday peak periods, you should book even earlier—aim for 2-3 months ahead—since those dates sell out faster and prices rise quickly closer to departure.",
        "methodology": "Booking-window guidance comes from the same monthly in-house analysis of Priceline's own air booking-summary archive. We aggregate the route's bookings by how many days before departure they were made, from about 180 days out to the day of travel, smooth the curve, and highlight the stretch of lead times with the lowest average fare. Thin and international routes borrow the curve shape from the nearest busy routes, anchored to the route's own price level. It reflects current fares and is refreshed monthly.",
        "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, with four weekly departures on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. The typical departure window is between 9:55 PM and 10:20 PM. These are late-night flights departing after 9 PM; the tool does not mark them as arriving the next day, so they land the same night.",
        "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 St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines operates nonstop from Houston Hobby to St. Louis with 123 weekly flights, providing frequent daily service. The median fare for Southwest on this route is not listed, so no typical fare can be stated. Other carriers may offer connecting itineraries, but Southwest is the sole nonstop operator.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies come 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 typical fare is shown for a carrier, it is the median of 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 St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Common layover cities between Houston and St. Louis include Dallas, Atlanta, and Chicago. These hubs offer frequent flights and efficient connections, keeping total travel time competitive on this domestic route."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time arrivals on this route from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines operates the Houston (Hobby) to St. Louis route with an on‑time arrival rate of 82.3% and a cancellation rate of just 0.4%. As the only carrier on this route, it ranks first for reliability.",
        "methodology": "On-time arrival and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, which covers U.S. domestic routes only; a flight counts as on time when it arrives within 15 minutes of schedule. Carriers are ranked by arrival on-time rate on this route, and the carrier list itself comes 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).",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "April to early June and September to October offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds compared to summer."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Bring a valid Real ID or passport, a payment method for baggage, and any required health documents for this domestic flight."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in St. Louis?",
        "answer": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport is the only commercial airport serving the city. It is located about 14 miles northwest of downtown and handles all domestic and limited international flights."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to William P Hobby Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Houston you can take METRO Bus 500, a nonstop express to Hobby Airport that runs every 30 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. for $4.50 one way, or the local METRO Bus 40 for a slower, cheaper ride. Taxis, ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft, shared shuttles, and rental cars are also available, with ride-share and taxis generally being the fastest and most popular choices for door-to-door convenience. Driving yourself is straightforward since Hobby is about 7 miles from the city center, and on-site parking can be booked in advance for a discount.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.fly2houston.com/hou/ground-transportation/",
            "title": "HOU Ground Transportation | Airport Shuttle, Taxi, Uber, Lyft & Rent Car Houston"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.fly2houston.com/hou/",
            "title": "HOU Houston Airport | William P. Hobby"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou/ground-transportation/shuttles",
            "title": "Hobby Airport Ground Transportation"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.fly2houston.com/hou/airlines/",
            "title": "HOU Houston Airport | William P. Hobby",
            "time_published": "2026-06-09T19:32:46Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Hobby_Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-09-09T04:33:26Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at St. Louis airport?",
        "answer": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport has no hotel directly connected to the terminals. Several hotels are located within a short drive, including the Marriott St. Louis Airport, Wingate by Wyndham, and Drury Inn, many of which offer airport shuttle service. If you plan to sleep in the airport itself, sleeping options are limited, as there are no dedicated rest zones or cots.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.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": "2018-08-06T09:35:20Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/th/th/st-louis/stllf/hoteldetail",
            "title": "โรงแรมในเซนต์หลุยส์ | ฮอลิเดย์ อินน์ เอ็กซ์เพรส แอนด์ สวีท สนามบินเซนต์หลุยส",
            "favicon": "https://digital.ihg.com/is/image/ihg/app-web-chiclet-holidayinnexpress?fmt=png-alpha"
          },
          {
            "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"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q15": {
        "question": "Are there currency exchange offices, prayer rooms and Wi‑Fi at Lambert Intl Airport?",
        "answer": "Lambert–St. Louis International Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout both terminals, with ample charging stations and comfortable seating areas for passengers. A chapel is available at the airport, listed as 'Chapel–St Louis Airport' near Concourse E in Terminal 2. Currency exchange offices are not mentioned in the available information, so I cannot confirm whether they are offered at STL.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "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": "2026-09-06T13:20:24Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/kstl/terminal-2",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal 2",
            "favicon": "https://airport.guide/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "favicon": "https://www.airport.guide/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/kstl/concourse-a",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Concourse A",
            "favicon": "https://airport.guide/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambert_Airport_Terminal_2_station",
            "title": "Lambert Airport Terminal 2 station",
            "time_published": "2026-06-16T02:55:51Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q16": {
        "question": "Are there accessible services or children's facilities at the Houston and St. Louis airports?",
        "answer": "At Houston's William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), accessibility services include American Sign Language interpretation, Aira support for blind and low-vision travelers, companion care restrooms, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, service animal relief areas, and a Sunflower Lanyard program for hidden disabilities; passengers should contact TSA Cares at least 72 hours before travel for security screening assistance, and HOU also offers a Central Play Area for children near Gate 5 on Level 2. At St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), comprehensive accessibility facilities are provided for travelers with disabilities, and families can find designated play areas and nursing rooms throughout the terminals.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.fly2houston.com/hou/accessibility/",
            "title": "HOU Accessibility Services | ADA Accessible Travel at Hobby Airport"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.fly2houston.com/hou/visitor-information/services/",
            "title": "Hobby Airport Visitor Services | Airport Visitor Services HOU"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Hobby_Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-09-09T04:33:26Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.fly2houston.com/hou/",
            "title": "HOU Houston Airport | William P. Hobby"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.fly2houston.com/hou/airlines/",
            "title": "HOU Houston Airport | William P. Hobby",
            "time_published": "2026-06-09T19:32:46Z"
          },
          {
            "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": "2026-09-06T13:20:24Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambert_Airport_Terminal_2_station",
            "title": "Lambert Airport Terminal 2 station",
            "time_published": "2026-06-16T02:55:51Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambert%20Airport%20Terminal%202%20station",
            "title": "Lambert Airport Terminal 2 station",
            "time_published": "2025-12-17T17:36:46Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/kstl/terminal-2",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal 2",
            "favicon": "https://airport.guide/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "favicon": "https://www.airport.guide/apple-touch-icon.png"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines operates flights from Houston (HOU) to St. Louis (STL), typically using Boeing 737-700 aircraft from the 737 family. Southwest is the only carrier listed for this route.",
        "methodology": "Aircraft types come 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). For U.S. routes the type is grounded in the tail number that actually operated the flight; elsewhere it comes from the airline's filed equipment code. Where the source does not commit to a specific variant we name the aircraft family (for example Airbus A320 family) rather than guess, and where no reliable type is on file the aircraft is omitted rather than estimated. Types describe typical scheduled equipment and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "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 airline alliances, so no alliance serves this route nonstop. Other alliances may offer connecting itineraries, but none are represented by a nonstop operating carrier on this city pair.",
        "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 does not have any traditional airline lounges, and the airport's own services page lists no club or lounge access in its terminal amenities. Instead, travelers can use Priority Pass to access wellness experiences like Gameway, The Chiroport, and XWELL, which offer massage chairs and spa treatments rather than a conventional lounge setting. These options count as lounge visits under Priority Pass and require a valid card and same-day boarding pass.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "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",
            "favicon": "https://prioritypass.com/icon.png?a4ff481221414a5c"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/william-p-hobby/hou2s-xwell",
            "title": "XWELL HOU AIRPORT  Houston TX William P. Hobby | Priority Pass",
            "favicon": "https://prioritypass.com/icon.png?a4ff481221414a5c"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.fly2houston.com/hou/visitor-information/services/",
            "title": "Hobby Airport Visitor Services | Airport Visitor Services HOU"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/destinationInformation/hou-airport.jsp",
            "title": "Houston Hobby, TX (HOU)",
            "favicon": "https://aa.com/content/images/chrome/rebrand/favicon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.fly2houston.com/hou/",
            "title": "HOU Houston Airport | William P. Hobby"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Baggage rules depend on the airline and fare type. Basic Economy often excludes a checked bag and may limit carry-ons to a small personal item. Standard economy typically includes a carry-on and personal item, but checked bags usually require a fee."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Houston to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Flights from Houston to St. Louis typically offer Economy and standard Business class with recliner seats; flat‑bed Business and Premium Economy are not common on this domestic route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies vary by airline and fare; flexible and premium tickets usually allow same‑day changes or standby, while Basic Economy typically does not."
      }
    }
  }
}