Houston's Airport Operations: Status And Insights

Houston, Texas is home to several airports, including two major ones: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). The former is an international airport located 23 miles north of Houston, while the latter is a smaller, domestic airport located just 11 miles from downtown Houston. In addition to these two, other airports in the Houston area include David Wayne Hooks Airport (KDWH) and Ellington Airport.

Transport options to and from Houston's airports

Houston Airport System (HAS) is one of North America's largest public airport systems, comprising two commercial airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). David Wayne Hooks Airport (DWH) and Ellington Airport are two other airports in Houston.

Transport options from the airport

There are various transport options to get from Houston's airports to the city centre, including:

• Public transport: The city bus route 102 runs from IAH to downtown locations. The bus runs seven days a week, from 5 am until midnight.
• Hotel shuttle: Many hotels offer courtesy vans to and from the airport. You can request a pick-up using the courtesy telephones in the baggage claim area.
• Taxi or ride-hailing app: Taxis are readily available at the airport, and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft also operate in Houston.
• Rental car: You can rent a car at the airport and drive to your destination.
• Airport shuttle: SuperShuttle Express offers door-to-door service from the airport to your desired location.

Transport options to the airport

In addition to the options listed above, here are some other ways to get to Houston's airports:

• Inter-city bus: Houston is served by the Megabus line, which offers low-cost travel to/from other cities in Texas, including Austin, Dallas, Galveston, San Antonio, and New Orleans.
• Greyhound bus: Houston has a busy Greyhound station with connections to countless locations in the US. The terminal is located at 2121 Main St Houston, TX 77002.

The history of Houston's airports

Houston's airport system is the fourth-largest in the country, serving over 180 cities worldwide. The city's two major airports are the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (formerly Houston Intercontinental Airport) and the William P. Hobby Airport (formerly Houston International Airport).

The George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located about 23 miles north of Downtown Houston, opened in 1969. Initially, all scheduled passenger airline services operated from the William P. Hobby Airport, but upon the opening of the Intercontinental Airport, all services were moved there. The Hobby Airport remained open as a general aviation airport, and two years later, it resumed scheduled passenger airline services. In 1997, the Houston City Council voted to rename the Intercontinental Airport after George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. The airport is the busiest in Texas for international passenger traffic and is ranked 15th busiest in the United States as of 2021.

The William P. Hobby Airport, located about 7 miles south of Downtown Houston, has seen significant increases in passenger numbers in recent years, with 14.5 million travellers passing through in 2018. The airport serves domestic destinations and offers various transport options to visitors.

In addition to the two major airports, Houston also has the David Wayne Hooks Airport, located in Northwest Houston, about 5 minutes from The Woodlands.

Airlines and destinations

Houston, Texas, is served by two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). IAH is located 23 miles north of downtown Houston, while HOU is located about 7-11 miles south of downtown.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which opened in 1969, is the largest airport in Houston. The airport serves over 46 million passengers annually and offers service to more than 30 destinations in Mexico, making it the US airport with the most Mexican destinations. Airlines serving IAH include:

• AeroMexico
• Air Canada
• Air France
• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Cayman Airways
• Delta Air Lines
• Emirates
• KLM
• Lufthansa
• National Airlines
• Pan Am
• Piedmont Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• TWA
• United Airlines (which has a hub at IAH)
• USAir
• Western Airlines

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

William P. Hobby Airport is a smaller, domestic airport located closer to downtown Houston. Hobby Airport serves around 14.5 million travellers annually and is a hub for Southwest Airlines. Other airlines serving HOU include:

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue Airways
• Southwest Airlines

Amenities at Houston's airports

Houston's airport system is the fourth-largest in the country, serving over 180 cities worldwide. The city's two major airports are the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Another airport in Houston is the David Wayne Hooks Airport (DWH), which is located in Northwest Houston, about 5 minutes from The Woodlands.

Amenities at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

George Bush Intercontinental Airport offers a wide range of amenities to enhance the travel experience. The airport provides free Wi-Fi, retail stores, and more than 50 food and beverage outlets. Other amenities include visitor information centres, a currency exchange booth, and ADA amenities. The airport also has an interfaith chapel that is open 24 hours a day for prayer and meditation. Private nursing rooms and baby changing tables are available for travelling parents. For travellers with hidden disabilities, the airport has introduced the Sunflower Lanyard Program, and Aunt Flow, a free electronic dispenser for feminine hygiene products. Service animals are welcome at the airport, with relief areas available.

Amenities at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

William P. Hobby Airport, located about 7 miles south of Downtown Houston, offers various transport options. The airport provides free Wi-Fi, retail stores, and more than 15 food and beverage outlets. Similar to IAH, HOU has implemented the Sunflower Lanyard Program and Aunt Flow feminine product dispensers. Additionally, HOU offers chiropractic services and shoeshine services.

Hotels near Houston's airports

Houston is served by the fourth-largest airport system in the country, with Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) being the two main airports. David Wayne Hooks Airport (DWH) is another airport located in Northwest Houston.

Hotels near George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

The Houston Airport Marriott is the only hotel located on the airport property, between Terminals B and C. The hotel offers a complimentary underground train service, connecting it to all airline gates within minutes. It also provides a walkable tunnel on the Subway level. The hotel boasts modern and chic rooms, with platform beds, walk-in showers, and wide-open closets. Other amenities include a top-notch fitness centre, an outdoor saltwater pool, and a 24-hour business centre.

Other hotels near the airport include:

• Hampton Inn & Suites Houston-Bush Intercontinental Aprt: Features comfortable rooms with separate bedrooms, quality TVs, and walk-in showers. It offers a free snack and drink room, and shuttle services to and from the airport.
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Houston Intercontinental Airport: Provides free parking, free WiFi, and a free airport shuttle.
• Holiday Inn Houston NE - Bush Airport Area: Offers free parking, free WiFi, and a central location.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houston Bush Intl Airpt E: Includes free parking, free WiFi, free airport shuttle, and comfortable beds.
• Ramada by Wyndham Houston Intercontinental Airport East: Provides free breakfast, free WiFi, and a free area shuttle, along with a central location.

Hotels near William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

While there may be hotels near the William P. Hobby Airport, specific information about them was not readily available. The airport is located about 7 miles south of Downtown Houston and offers various transport options, including courtesy vans provided by hotels and lodgings. The public bus route 102 also serves the airport and downtown locations, operating daily from approximately 5 a.m. to midnight.

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