Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that IAH saw 12.4 million international passengers in 2025.
The subway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport—designed by Disney engineers using the same technology used in Disneyland—recently celebrated 45 years of service, per an Aug. 3 news release from the Houston Airport System.
How it happened
The airport was expanding heavily in the 1970s, as was Disney’s linear induction motor technology for transportation across the Disneyland theme park. Per the release, the company was looking into expanding the use of its technologies at other facilities, which is when they set eyes on IAH.
Disney eventually put a successful bid in for the project in 1979, with construction ending and the subway opening in 1981. Per the release, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck attended the grand opening, marking the occasion with a Disney touch.
The original contract stated the subway had to have at least a 99.6% reliability rating, and it still sits at a 99.76% reliability rating today, according to the release. While it is no longer considered cutting-edge technology, Houston Airport System officials said “it was built to last.”
The bottom line
IAH saw 12.4 million international passengers in 2025, with the Disney transit system serving over 3.3 million passengers. Houston Airport System officials said the foundation of that travel around the terminals can be attributed to Disney’s technology, along with “a little bit of Disney magic.”
