{"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": "The flight from Houston (IAH) to San José, Costa Rica (SJO) is about 1,560 miles and typically takes 3 hours and 42 minutes nonstop. The return leg is slightly longer, at about 3 hours and 54 minutes, due to 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 San José?", "answer": "United Airlines flies nonstop from Houston (IAH) to San José (SJO), with up to 63 weekly flights operating daily. Departures are spread throughout the day from early morning (as early as 7:28 AM) through evening (as late as 7:57 PM), and the flight takes about 3 hours 42 minutes.", "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 San José?", "answer": "Licensed orange airport taxis are the fastest and most-used way into San José, accepting both colónes and U.S. dollars for the 20‑kilometer ride to downtown. A 24‑hour public bus also runs roughly every 10 minutes during working hours from a stop at the airport. Ride‑share services are not mentioned, and car rentals are available but not a primary recommendation for a quick city transfer.", "toolsUsed": [], "references": [{"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355176469&title=Juan_Santamar%C3%ADa_International_Airport", "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport", "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png", "time_published": "2005-03-20T10:54:40Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan%20Santamar%C3%ADa%20International%20Airport", "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport", "time_published": "2026-04-30T22:20:36Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Santamaria_International_Airport", "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport - Wikipedia", "time_published": "2005-03-20T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20airports%20in%20Costa%20Rica", "title": "List of airports in Costa Rica", "time_published": "2025-10-21T05:05:04Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Santamaría", "title": "Juan Santamaría", "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png", "time_published": "2026-07-15T19:46:26Z"}]}, "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 $552, $580, and $605, while the most expensive months are December, March, and July, averaging $802, $725, and $703. Low season spans April, October, May, and September, shoulder season includes November, August, February, and January, and high season covers June, July, March, and December.", "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 on flights from Houston to San José, book roughly 14 to 17 weeks ahead, when round-trip prices average around $646. The optimal single booking point is about 100 days out at $645, while last-minute tickets (within two weeks) can exceed $800. During peak summer and holiday periods, demand typically pushes fares higher, so aiming for the early side of that 14–17 week window or a bit 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 San José?", "answer": "No overnight (red‑eye) flights operate from Houston (IAH) to San José (SJO) — neither nonstop nor connecting itineraries with a red‑eye long leg are scheduled 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 operates non‑stop from Houston Intercontinental to San José, Costa Rica, with 63 weekly flights spread across the day. The typical median fare for United on this route is around $978.", "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, Panama City, San Salvador, and Mexico City. Miami offers numerous daily flights and broad connections. Panama City, San Salvador, and Mexico City provide efficient transfers with single-terminal operations and often visa‑free transit for US citizens, keeping total travel time competitive."}, "q10": {"question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to San José?", "answer": "December to April offers sunny skies and lower humidity, avoiding the rainy season crowds."}, "q11": {"question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Houston to San José?", "answer": "Bring a U.S. passport valid for at least the duration of your stay, and proof of onward or return travel. A visa is not required for stays up to 180 days, but you may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from certain countries. Have a payment method ready for baggage fees."}, "q12": {"question": "Which airport should I use in San José?", "answer": "San José has one main international airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport, which serves all commercial flights to the city."}, "q13": {"question": "How do I get to George Bush Intercontinental Airport from the city center?", "answer": "From downtown Houston, the most popular option is driving or taking a ride-share/taxi, as IAH is about 23 miles north of the city center. Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft, as well as taxis, are readily available and offer door-to-door convenience, though they are the most expensive. A more affordable choice is the METRO bus route 102, which provides direct service from downtown to the airport. For those driving, parking is plentiful with on-site garages and economy lots, and you can reserve a spot online in advance. Shuttle services and rental cars are also available.", "toolsUsed": [], "references": [{"url": "https://fly2houston.com/iah", "title": "IAH Houston Airport | George Bush Intercontinental", "time_published": "2026-06-23T05:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://fly2houston.com/iah/ground-transportation/", "title": "Ground Transportation | Airport Taxi, Uber, Lyft, Shuttle & Rent Car Houston", "time_published": "2026-01-23T19:44:20Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George%20Bush%20Intercontinental%20Airport", "title": "George Bush Intercontinental Airport", "time_published": "2026-05-01T12:20:43Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/?diff=597698305", "title": "George Bush Intercontinental Airport: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia", "time_published": "2014-03-01T18:21:06Z"}, {"url": "https://faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1023367", "title": "Notice JO 7110.659 - Non-Intersecting Converging Runway Operations for George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport Traffic Control Tower and Houston Intercontinental Terminal Radar Approach Control (", "time_published": "2026-04-10T00:00:00Z"}]}, "q14": {"question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at San José airport?", "answer": "Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) does not have on‑site hotels, capsule hotels, or sleeping pods inside the terminal. Nearby hotels like the Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall and Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport are located within a mile and offer shuttle service; the Hampton is about 1.1 miles away and includes free breakfast.", "toolsUsed": [], "references": [{"url": "https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/costa-rica/alajuela/activities/costa_rica_sjo_airport_to_san_jos%C3%A9_hotels_nearby_private_shuttle-XF7A2K?property=SJOAP", "title": "Costa Rica SJO Airport to San José Hotels nearby Private Shuttle", "time_published": "2026-05-04T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://activities.marriott.com/north-america/costa-rica/alajuela/activities/private_transfer_sjo_airport_to_jaco_los_sue%C3%B1os_marriott_hotels-XB84BN?property=SJOAC", "title": "Private Transfer SJO Airport to Jaco / Los Sueños Marriott Hotels", "time_published": "2026-05-04T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://sleepinginairports.net/guides/san-jose-airport-guide-cr.htm", "title": "San Jose Airport Guide (SJO) - 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": "2018-10-02T00:00:18Z"}, {"url": "https://www.hilton.com/en/locations/costa-rica/san-jose/sjo-juan-santamaria-international-airport/", "title": "Hotels near Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José, Costa Rica - Find Hotels - Hilton", "time_published": "2025-08-21T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355176469&title=Juan_Santamar%C3%ADa_International_Airport", "title": "Juan Santamaría International Airport", "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png", "time_published": "2005-03-20T10:54:40Z"}, {"url": "https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?hl=gsw&id=com.frugalflyer.airport.sjo", "title": "Juan Santamaría Airport Info – Apps bei Google Play", "favicon": "https://www.gstatic.com/android/market_images/web/favicon_v3.ico"}]}, "q17": {"question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Houston to San José?", "answer": "The most common aircraft on the nonstop flight from Houston (IAH) to San José (SJO) is the Boeing 737 MAX 8, operated by both Southwest and United. Connecting itineraries also rely heavily on the 737 MAX 8 (via Dallas, Toronto, Miami, and Orlando) along with Airbus A320-family jets (A320-100, A320-200 Neo) through San Salvador, Mexico City, and Fort Lauderdale, and occasional 737 MAX 9 or 737-800 variants. The exact aircraft can vary by day and airline, but the 737 MAX 8 is the workhorse across both nonstop and one-stop options. Wi‑Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available on these modern narrowbody types, though the specific offerings differ by carrier.", "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 flies nonstop from Houston (IAH) to San José (SJO), so Star Alliance is the only alliance with nonstop service on this route. United is the Star Alliance member operating these flights; other alliances may offer connecting itineraries but no other carriers fly this route 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": "At George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the most notable lounges are in Terminal D: the American Express Centurion Lounge, the Air France Lounge, and the KLM Crown Lounge. The Centurion Lounge is accessible to Platinum Card and Centurion members, and offers chef-inspired dining and craft cocktails. The Air France Lounge welcomes business-class passengers and Priority Pass members, and features complimentary drinks and a quiet, comfortable space. The nearby KLM Crown Lounge is similarly open to business-class travelers and elite status holders, and is known for its restaurant vouchers and sleep pods.", "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": "On Houston–San José flights, allowance depends on the airline and fare. Basic economy often excludes checked bags, while standard economy typically permits one checked bag and a carry‑on. Premium cabins and loyalty status may increase allowances."}, "q22": {"question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Houston to San José?", "answer": "Houston to San José flights typically offer Economy class, and on some routes flat-bed Business class is available; Premium Economy is uncommon."}, "q23": {"question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?", "answer": "Policies differ by airline and fare; flexible and premium tickets often allow same‑day changes or standby, while Basic Economy usually does not."}}}}