{
  "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": "Carrier service, flight times and distances for this route come 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). We report the days of the week and the departure times each carrier operates. The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time, given both per carrier and across all carriers on the route; where a schedule does not publish an elapsed time, it is derived from the scheduled departure and arrival times converted to UTC. Outbound and return times are computed by the same method, so the difference between them is directly comparable and reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in derivation. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two specific airports named, so an actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer. Where shown, on-time departure and arrival rates 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; where a typical fare is shown, it comes from the U.S. DOT Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B), a quarterly 10% sample of tickets sold.",
        "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": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) offers several ground transportation options. The MetroLink light rail provides direct and economical service to downtown, making it a popular choice. Taxis, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, and numerous car rental agencies are also available. The light rail is often the most used option for its efficiency and low cost, while ride-sharing offers a faster, door-to-door alternative.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "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 to St. Louis are October, September, and August, with average fares around $266–$332. The most expensive months are June, April, and July, where average prices range from $417 to $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 to St. Louis, the optimal booking window is 4 to 6 weeks before departure, with average fares around $276. This window may shift slightly for peak summer or holiday periods, when booking a bit earlier—around 6 to 8 weeks out—can help secure better prices.",
        "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, 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 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 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": "Carrier service, flight times and distances for this route come 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). We report the days of the week and the departure times each carrier operates. The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time, given both per carrier and across all carriers on the route; where a schedule does not publish an elapsed time, it is derived from the scheduled departure and arrival times converted to UTC. Outbound and return times are computed by the same method, so the difference between them is directly comparable and reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in derivation. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two specific airports named, so an actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer. Where shown, on-time departure and arrival rates 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; where a typical fare is shown, it comes from the U.S. DOT Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B), a quarterly 10% sample of tickets sold.",
        "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, the most popular way to reach William P. Hobby Airport (about 7 miles away) is by ride‑share or taxi, which offer door‑to‑door convenience and are generally the fastest option. Shared shuttle vans provide a lower‑cost alternative, while public buses serve the airport with the most budget‑friendly fare, though the trip takes longer. Driving and parking at HOU is straightforward, with on‑airport garages and lots available, and reserving ahead can yield discounts.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "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 on-site hotels, capsule hotels, or sleeping pods inside the terminals. However, several nearby hotels are connected by complimentary shuttle, including the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, which offers a free shuttle to and from the airport.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "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": "Lambert‑St. Louis International Airport offers free Wi‑Fi throughout both terminals. The available information does not mention currency exchange offices or prayer rooms at the airport.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "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 (HOU), wheelchair assistance must be arranged through your airline, ideally 48 hours in advance, and the airport itself provides accessible shuttles, elevators, tactile signage, ADA-compliant restrooms, and companion care facilities near Gate 45; travelers can also request TSA Cares support at least 72 hours ahead. St. Louis Lambert (STL) offers designated children's play areas and nursing rooms in both terminals, along with comprehensive accessibility features including wheelchair access, visual and audio aids, and trained staff, with similar advance-notice recommendations for airline and TSA assistance.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "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 most common aircraft on the nonstop from Houston Hobby to St. Louis are the Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8, both operated by Southwest, along with the Embraer 175, Airbus A319, and Bombardier CRJ-550 on United. On connecting itineraries the long leg is typically a 737-800 or 737 MAX 8 (Southwest) through Dallas Love, Midway, or Nashville, or an Airbus A319/A320 or 737-800 on American via DFW. The exact aircraft can vary by day and airline, and Wi‑Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available across these fleets.",
        "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 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": "At Houston Hobby Airport (HOU), there are no traditional airline-branded lounges like a United Club or Delta Sky Club, nor any widely known independent lounges such as Plaza Premium. The only lounge-like option is the XpresSpa, accessible post-security in the Central Concourse near Gate 45, which offers 25-minute wellness sessions in massage chairs or loungers for Priority Pass members and paying customers, but it is a spa rather than a full-service lounge with food and drinks. Southwest Airlines, which dominates HOU, does not operate a lounge at this airport. For a more comprehensive lounge experience, travelers can consider George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), which has multiple airline clubs and independent lounges.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "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 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."
      }
    }
  }
}