Houston's Commercial Airports: How Many Are There?

Houston, Texas, is the fourth-largest city in the United States and has an extensive network of airports serving both domestic and international travellers. The Houston Airport System manages and operates three airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport (EFD). These airports accommodate a wide range of travel demands, from commercial airlines and cargo transport to general aviation.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

The airport is served by 25-28 airlines, offering scheduled non-stop domestic and international flights to over 180 destinations across five continents. In 2022, more than 40 million passengers travelled through IAH, including over 9 million international passengers. The airport has five terminals and 121 total gates, connected by the Skyway automated people mover system and an underground train. All terminals have access to Wi-Fi, retail stores, and food and beverage outlets. Other amenities include visitor information centres, a currency exchange booth, and ADA amenities.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport was initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969. In 1997, it was renamed in honour of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a resident of Houston. The airport has undergone expansions and renovations over the years, with Terminals A, B, and C remaining from the original design, and new terminals D and E added in the early 2000s. The airport also houses an on-site Marriott hotel, accessible from all terminals via the landside inter-terminal train.

The airport is accessible from Downtown Houston via Interstate 69/U.S. Route 59 (Eastex Freeway) or Interstate 45 (North Freeway). The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO), offers bus services to the airport, including the 102 Bush IAH Express.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

Houston Airport System is the City of Houston's Department of Aviation and it manages and operates three airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport (EFD). William P. Hobby Airport, colloquially referred to as Houston Hobby, is an international airport in Houston, Texas, located 7 miles (11 km) from downtown Houston.

Houston Hobby is Houston's oldest commercial airport and was its primary airport until the Houston Intercontinental Airport, now known as the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, opened in 1969. Hobby initially closed after the opening of Houston Intercontinental but was later reopened and became a secondary airport for domestic airline service and a centre for corporate and private aviation.

Houston Hobby is served by 5 to 7 airlines, including Southwest Airlines, which has international and domestic flights from HOU and carries the majority of its passengers. The airport offers nonstop or direct service to more than 60 destinations, including over 13 million passengers served in 2022. The airport has three runways, and its original art deco terminal building now houses the 1940 Air Terminal Museum.

Houston Hobby became the first 5-Star Airport in North America by Skytrax in 2022 and was the first airport in Texas to implement full biometric entry and exit for international passengers in 2020. The airport has a single terminal with two concourses (one domestic and one international) and 30 gates overall. The domestic concourse, which opened in 2003, includes various retail shops and restaurants, as well as an interfaith chapel. The international concourse opened in 2015, and the airport as a whole provides a range of dining and shopping options for travellers.

Ellington Field (EFD)

Houston Airport System is the City of Houston's Department of Aviation and it manages and operates three airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport (EFD).

The City of Houston annexed Ellington Field in the late 1960s and acquired it in 1984. In 2009, the Houston City Council approved a name change from Ellington Field to Ellington Airport. The airport is now known as Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport (EFD). It is home to the Houston Spaceport, which is the nation's 10th licensed commercial spaceport. The airport supports the operations of the United States military, NASA, and a variety of general aviation tenants. It is also the place where astronauts from the Johnson Space Center receive their ongoing space training.

Ellington Field has three active runways: a 9,001-foot runway, an 8,001-foot runway, and a 4,609-foot runway. The airport covers an area of 2,362 acres and has an elevation of 32 feet above mean sea level. It is one of the few airfields built for World War I training purposes that is still in operation today. The airport is also home to the annual Wings Over Houston Airshow, the largest flying club in Texas, and the Lone Star Flight Museum.

Houston's airport system

Houston, Texas, is the fourth-largest city in the United States and has an extensive network of airports serving both domestic and international travellers. The Houston Airport System (HAS) is the City of Houston's Department of Aviation and it manages and operates three airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport (EFD). These airports form one of North America's largest public airport systems, positioning Houston as the international gateway to the south-central United States.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Houston's largest airport and the 12th busiest airport in North America, according to ACI-NA (2021), is located 23 miles north of Downtown Houston. The airport covers more than 11,000 acres and is served by 27 to 28 passenger airlines and five passenger terminals. IAH is ranked 5th in the United States and 15th in the world for total passenger traffic, with more than 40 million passengers travelling through the airport in 2022, including over nine million international passengers. The airport offers scheduled non-stop domestic and international service to over 180 destinations worldwide, with more than 650 daily departures. IAH also handles a significant amount of cargo, with 12 all-cargo airlines handling more than 600,000 metric tons of cargo in 2018.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

William P. Hobby Airport, located about seven miles south of Downtown Houston, is the 35th or 36th busiest airport in North America, according to rankings. The airport offers nonstop or direct service to more than 60 or 86 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In 2018, more than 14 million passengers travelled through Hobby Airport, with this number increasing to over 13 million in 2022. International service began in 2015 or 2016. HOU is one of Southwest Airlines' largest hubs and is the closest airport to Downtown Houston.

Ellington Airport/Ellington Field (EFD)

Ellington Airport, also known as Ellington Field or Houston Spaceport, is a joint civil/military airport that supports the operations of the United States military, NASA, and a variety of general aviation tenants. The airport is home to the annual Wings Over Houston Airshow and is used by astronauts from the Johnson Space Center for their ongoing space training. Ellington Airport became the nation's 10th licensed commercial spaceport in June 2015.

Airports near Houston

Houston, Texas, is the fourth-largest city in the US and has an extensive network of airports serving both domestic and international travellers. The Houston Airport System manages three airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport (EFD). These airports form one of North America's largest public airport systems, positioning Houston as the international gateway to the south-central United States.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Houston's largest airport and the 12th busiest airport in North America, according to ACI-NA (2021). It is located 23 miles north of Downtown Houston and is served by 27-28 passenger airlines and five passenger terminals. IAH ranks highly among US airports with scheduled non-stop domestic and international services, offering flights to over 180 destinations worldwide. In 2022, over 40 million passengers travelled through IAH, including more than 9 million international passengers.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

The 35th-36th busiest airport in North America, according to ACI-NA (2021), Hobby Airport is located about 7 miles south of Downtown Houston. It offers nonstop or direct service to more than 60-86 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In 2018, more than 14 million passengers travelled through Hobby Airport, with over 14.5 million in 2018 and over 13 million in 2022. International service began in 2015-2016.

Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport (EFD)

Ellington Airport, also known as Ellington Field, is a joint civil/military airport acquired by the City of Houston in 1984. It supports the operations of the United States military, NASA, and various general aviation tenants. Ellington Airport is home to the annual Wings Over Houston Airshow and is a training ground for astronauts from the Johnson Space Center. In June 2015, it became the nation's 10th licensed commercial spaceport.

In addition to these three major airports, Houston also has several smaller airports serving a range of aviation needs, including Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, West Houston Airport, David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport, and more.

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