Houston Hobby Airport: A Sprawling Hub For Travelers

Houston's William P. Hobby Airport, commonly referred to as Hobby Airport, is one of the two major airports in Houston, Texas. Located around 7 miles southeast of Downtown Houston, Hobby Airport is the city's oldest commercial airport, serving as its main airfield until 1969. The airport has 4 runways and 30 aircraft gates, with a single 25-gate Central Concourse capable of accommodating larger commercial aircraft. In 2023, the airport saw more than 5.5 million passengers and about 12,000 flights per month, with Southwest Airlines being the largest carrier. To accommodate the growing number of passengers, the Houston Airport System has planned a major expansion for Hobby Airport, including the addition of seven gates and improvements to dining, retail, and art installations.

Houston Hobby Airport's history

Houston Hobby Airport, officially known as William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), has a rich history dating back to the early days of aviation. The airport's story began in 1927 when W.T. Carter, Jr. opened a private landing field in a 600-acre pasture, known as W.T. Carter Field. A decade later, in 1937, the City of Houston acquired the site and renamed it Houston Municipal Airport. This marked the beginning of its transformation into a commercial airport.

In 1938, the airport was briefly named Howard R. Hughes Airport after Howard Hughes, who set a world record for flying around the globe in 91 hours. However, the city soon reverted to the name Houston Municipal Airport due to eligibility criteria for federal grant money. During this time, the airport was served by Braniff International Airways and Eastern Air Lines, and it featured its first control tower.

The 1940s and 1950s saw significant growth and development at the airport. An international wing was added in 1949, and in the following years, the city expanded the terminal, constructed a new modern terminal, lengthened runways, and improved lighting systems. With these enhancements, the airport was renamed Houston International Airport in the 1950s. During World War II, the facility was also used as a training site for the Women's Flying Training Detachment.

The airport underwent a series of name changes in the following decades. In 1967, it was renamed William P. Hobby Airport after the 27th Governor of Texas, reflecting the airport's international status. However, with the opening of the Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in 1969, Hobby Airport shifted its focus to general aviation, serving mainly private and corporate aircraft. Commercial flights resumed in 1971, and the airport continued its expansion and growth.

In 2015, Hobby Airport regained international air service with the addition of a new Federal Inspection Services facility. That same year, Southwest Airlines began offering international flights to Mexico and Central and South America. Hobby Airport's long history of serving Houston and the surrounding region has made it an integral part of the area's transportation network, accommodating over 13 million passengers in 2016.

Terminals, concourses and gates

William P. Hobby Airport in Houston has a main terminal building with two concourses: the Central Concourse and the West Concourse. The Central Concourse has 25 gates, numbered 20 to 32 and 40 to 51, while the West Concourse has 5 gates, numbered 1 to 5. The two concourses are connected by a long corridor with moving walkways, allowing passengers to easily access the concessions and facilities in both areas.

The Central Concourse offers a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a USO Lounge and a chapel located on the lower level near gate 44. This lounge is exclusively for active military personnel. The West Concourse, which handles international flights due to its Customs and Immigration facilities, also has a small selection of shops and restaurants. Additionally, it features a children's play area near gate 4.

The airport's security checkpoint is located in the middle of the main terminal, providing access to both concourses. The terminal building also houses ticketing areas for various airlines, with Southwest Airlines ticketing on the west side of level 2, and all other airlines on the east side. The airport provides efficient processing for security and immigration, reinforced by short walking distances for departures, arrivals, and transfers.

Houston's Hobby Airport has undergone significant improvements over the years, including a long-term capital improvement project that began in 1998. This project involved the demolition of three existing concourses, which were replaced by the current Central Concourse capable of accommodating larger commercial aircraft. The original 1940 Art Deco terminal building, which was unused for decades, was renovated and reopened as the 1940 Air Terminal Museum in 2004.

Passenger numbers and flight statistics

William P. Hobby Airport, or HOU, is Houston's oldest commercial airport and was its primary airport until the Houston Intercontinental Airport opened in 1969. The airport covers 1,304 acres (528 ha) and has three runways. In 2008, the airport handled 8.8 million passengers. In 2015, the airport saw 43 million domestic passengers passing through its gates. In 2018, this number increased to 14.5 million travelers. During 2022, Houston Hobby registered a total of 13,113,866 passengers, representing an increase of 16.14% compared to 2021 (5,535,651). In June 2023, 606,805 passengers used Houston Hobby Airport, representing a 3.42% increase compared to June 2022 (586,741).

Houston Hobby is served by seven airlines, connecting Houston to over 70 destinations worldwide. The airport has a single terminal with two concourses (one domestic and one international) and 30 gates. The domestic concourse, which opened in 2003, offers various retail shops and restaurants, while the international concourse opened in 2015. Southwest Airlines, which has international and domestic flights from HOU, carries the majority of its passengers. In 2017, Houston Hobby was the fifth-largest airport in Southwest's network.

In the past, several airlines offered nonstop flights to various destinations, including Braniff International Airways, Eastern Air Lines, Hughes Airwest, Ozark, and National Airlines. In the 1980s, other airlines serving Hobby Airport included Air Florida, Braniff, Eastern Air Lines, and Muse Air. In 2020, Hobby Airport became the first in Texas to implement full biometric entry and exit for international passengers.

Facilities and services

Houston's William P. Hobby Airport covers 1,304 acres (528 hectares) and has three runways. The airport has one terminal with 25 gates, which can accommodate larger commercial aircraft. The terminal features an excellent infrastructure, modern design, and plenty of natural light. It provides a broad range of seating choices and free fast Wi-Fi throughout. The airport also offers efficient processing for security and immigration, reinforced by short walking distances for departure, arrival, and transfer flights.

William P. Hobby Airport boasts a 5-star rating for facilities, comfort, and cleanliness. It offers a variety of dining options, including local and national brands such as Chick-fil-A, providing a good choice and quality of food. The airport also has a range of retail stores, including iStore for Apple products and accessories, PGA Tour for designer apparel and accessories, and Texas Monthly News for travel essentials, gifts, and souvenirs.

The airport provides excellent customer service, with bilingual Special Service Representatives stationed at convenient locations to assist passengers with special needs. Information desks are located in the Baggage Claim area and on the main Departures concourse, where staff can provide information on nearby hotels and the city, as well as book the airport conference room.

Other facilities and services at the airport include a bureau de change, communication facilities, cash machines, and a chapel. The USO also has a presence at the airport and is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. Additionally, the original 1940 Art Deco terminal building has been renovated and reopened as the 1940 Air Terminal Museum.

Expansion plans

Houston's William P. Hobby Airport has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years to accommodate growing passenger demand and enhance its facilities. In 2023, the Houston City Council approved a significant expansion plan with a $470 million investment, demonstrating their commitment to improving the airport's infrastructure.

The West Concourse Expansion Project, scheduled to begin in early 2024 with a two-year construction timeline, aims to cater to the increasing demand for air service from Hobby Airport. The project will include the addition of seven new gates capable of handling domestic and international flights, improving the airport's capacity and efficiency.

The expansion will also feature a renovated and expanded baggage handling system and baggage claim area, addressing the needs of travellers and ensuring a seamless experience. An overhead canopy along the departures curb will provide protection from inclement weather and enhance the convenience of passengers during their journey through the airport.

The design of the expanded concourse will embrace the "Houston Friendly" theme, incorporating an abundance of natural light and a modern aesthetic. Passengers will benefit from a wider range of dining and retail options, showcasing local and national brands. Additionally, the expansion will feature artwork by Houston-based artists, celebrating the city's rich cultural heritage and diversity.

The overall expansion project, including the recently unveiled Terminal D at Bush Airport, underscores Houston's reputation as a world-class city and a sought-after destination. By investing in its aviation infrastructure, Houston is not only improving the passenger experience but also driving economic growth and attracting even more visitors from around the globe.

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