{
  "response": {
    "Key": "HOU-TPA",
    "orig": {
      "code": "HOU",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Houston",
      "fullCity": "Houston, Texas",
      "airport": "William P Hobby Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "TPA",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Tampa",
      "fullCity": "Tampa, Florida",
      "airport": "Tampa Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Houston to Tampa?",
        "answer": "The flight from Houston (HOU) to Tampa (TPA) is about 780 miles and typically takes 2 hours and 5 minutes. The return leg is longer at 2 hours and 25 minutes, a 20-minute difference driven by prevailing winds.",
        "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 Tampa?",
        "answer": "Yes, there are direct flights from both Houston airports. From Hobby (HOU), Southwest runs 81 non‑stop flights a week — daily service with departures spread from early morning through late evening. From Bush Intercontinental (IAH), United flies 42 weekly non‑stops daily, and Frontier adds 12 weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.",
        "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, 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": [
          "route_airlines",
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in Tampa?",
        "answer": "At Tampa International Airport, ground transportation options include taxis, ride-share services like Uber and Lyft, public buses operated by HART, and an extensive on-site car rental center with over 20 companies. The airport's automated people mover connects to a consolidated rental car facility, making car rentals highly convenient, while ride-share and taxi stands are located on the arrivals level. Public transit via HART Route 30 offers an economical link to downtown, though ride-share and rental cars are the most popular choices for their flexibility and speed. The fastest way to downtown is typically a taxi or ride-share, taking about 15-20 minutes, while the bus is the most budget-friendly. Rental cars are widely used by visitors planning to explore the greater Tampa Bay area beyond the city center.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/ktpa",
            "title": "Tampa Airport (TPA) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-04-16T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/ktpa/parking",
            "title": "Tampa Airport (TPA) Parking Rates and Map",
            "time_published": "2026-02-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Executive_Airport",
            "title": "Tampa Executive Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-07T22:51:55Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Padang_Airport",
            "title": "Tampa Padang Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-07-05T21:06:08Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/ktpa/rental-cars",
            "title": "Tampa Airport (TPA) | Car Rental"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Houston to Tampa?",
        "answer": "The cheapest months to fly from Houston to Tampa are March, September, and April, with average fares as low as $314, while June, July, and December are the most expensive, peaking at $433.",
        "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 Tampa?",
        "answer": "For flights from Houston (HOU) to Tampa (TPA), the best fares are typically found when booking 2–5 weeks before departure, with an average price around $130 and the lowest fare around $123 at 25 days out. Prices rise significantly outside this window, especially more than 10 weeks ahead or within the final week. During peak summer and holiday periods, demand can push fares higher, so aiming for the early part of that 2–5 week range or slightly earlier is wise.",
        "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 Tampa?",
        "answer": "Yes, Southwest operates one weekly nonstop red-eye from Houston Hobby to Tampa, departing Sundays at 9:00 PM. It's a short late flight, so it arrives the same night 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 Tampa?",
        "answer": "Common layover cities for Houston to Tampa flights include Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte and Nashville. Atlanta offers the most frequent connections via Delta, while Dallas provides a quick hop on Southwest or American. Charlotte is a compact American hub with efficient transfers, and Nashville adds a low‑congestion option, keeping total travel time competitive."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time arrivals on this route from Houston to Tampa?",
        "answer": "Southwest Airlines flights from Houston Hobby to Tampa arrive on time 82.7% of the time, with a cancellation rate of just 0.3%.",
        "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 Tampa?",
        "answer": "March to May and October to November offer pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Houston to Tampa?",
        "answer": "For this domestic flight, bring a Real ID-compliant driver's license or passport for ID, a credit or debit card for baggage fees, and any vaccination certificates if required by the airline."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in Tampa?",
        "answer": "Tampa International Airport is the only commercial airport serving Tampa. It is located about six miles west of downtown and offers a wide range of domestic and international flights."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to William P Hobby Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Houston, you can reach William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) via METRO bus route 73, which connects directly to the airport, or by ride‑share services like Uber and Lyft, which are the fastest and most popular option. Taxis and rental cars are also available, and driving yourself takes about 15–25 minutes via I‑45 South with on‑site parking garages and economy lots. Public transit is the most budget‑friendly, while ride‑share and taxis offer door‑to‑door convenience at a moderate cost.",
        "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 Tampa airport?",
        "answer": "Tampa International Airport (TPA) has an on-site hotel located inside the Main Terminal, so no shuttle is needed. There are no capsule hotels or sleeping pods, but other nearby hotels offer free shuttle service, and travelers have found some couches and lie-down furniture airside near Gates 1-45.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/tampa-airport-guide.htm",
            "title": "Tampa Airport Guide (TPA) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "time_published": "2018-08-08T21:10:49Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://sleepinginairports.net/reviews/tampa-airport-reviews.htm",
            "title": "Tampa   Airport Reviews (TPA) – Sleeping in Airports",
            "favicon": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cropped-sia-logo-180x180.png",
            "time_published": "2025-11-10T14:28:29Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/usa/florida/tampa/activities/tampa_airport_tpa_to_tampa_hotel_or_address_round_trip_private_transfer-X4IBJC",
            "title": "Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer",
            "time_published": "2026-05-03T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/ktpa",
            "title": "Tampa Airport (TPA) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-04-16T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/usa/florida/tampa/activities/tampa_airport_tpa_to_tampa_hotel_or_address_round_trip_private_transfer-X4IBJC?property=TPAMC",
            "title": "Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer",
            "time_published": "2026-02-27T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/ktpa/parking",
            "title": "Tampa Airport (TPA) Parking Rates and Map",
            "time_published": "2026-02-05T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q15": {
        "question": "Are there currency exchange offices, prayer rooms and Wi‑Fi at Tampa Intl Airport?",
        "answer": "Tampa International Airport offers free Wi‑Fi throughout the terminal, along with self‑service kiosks and charging stations to keep travelers connected. Currency exchange offices and prayer rooms or chapels are not mentioned in the available airport information, so their presence cannot be confirmed.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/ktpa",
            "title": "Tampa Airport (TPA) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-04-16T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/ktpa/parking",
            "title": "Tampa Airport (TPA) Parking Rates and Map",
            "time_published": "2026-02-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_International_Airport_People_Movers",
            "title": "Tampa International Airport People Movers",
            "time_published": "2026-03-16T19:26:10Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa%20International%20Airport%20People%20Movers",
            "title": "Tampa International Airport People Movers",
            "time_published": "2026-03-16T19:26:10Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Executive_Airport",
            "title": "Tampa Executive Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-07T22:51:55Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Houston to Tampa?",
        "answer": "Nonstop flights from Houston Hobby to Tampa are typically operated with Boeing 737 variants — the 737-900 on United and the 737 MAX 8 and 737-800 on Southwest. On connecting itineraries, common long-leg aircraft include the Airbus A321, Boeing 737-800, and Boeing 737 MAX 8, with connections often routed through Dallas, Nashville, or Miami. The exact aircraft can vary by day and airline, and while specific amenities aren't guaranteed, Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available on these modern narrowbody 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 Tampa?",
        "answer": "Only Southwest flies nonstop from Houston Hobby to Tampa, and Southwest is not a member of any major airline alliance — it operates independently. Other alliances may serve the route via connections, but no alliance carriers operate nonstop on this route.",
        "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 William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), there are no traditional airline-branded lounges like a United Club or Delta Sky Club. The main option is an XpresSpa accessible to Priority Pass members, located post-security near Gate 45 in the Central Concourse, offering massage chairs and spa treatments as a lounge visit alternative. Otherwise, the airport does not have dedicated lounges for business-class passengers or elite status holders.",
        "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 Tampa?",
        "answer": "Baggage policies on Houston–Tampa flights depend on the airline and fare class. Basic economy tickets generally exclude checked bags but allow a small personal item; standard economy often includes a carry‑on and charges for checked bags. Premium fares may include both."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Houston to Tampa?",
        "answer": "On flights from Houston to Tampa, you can typically expect Economy seating and, on some airlines, a domestic First Class with larger recliners rather than flat‑bed seats. Premium Economy is not common on this short‑haul route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies vary by airline and fare; flexible and premium cabin tickets often allow same-day changes or standby, while basic economy typically does not."
      }
    }
  }
}