Houston's Hobby Airport: What County Is It In?

William P. Hobby Airport, also known as Houston Hobby, is an international airport located in Houston, Texas, United States. The airport is named after a former Texas Governor and is located approximately seven miles from downtown Houston. It is one of three airports serving Houston and is the second-largest airport in the city.

William P. Hobby Airport is in Houston, Texas

William P. Hobby Airport, also known by its IATA and ICAO airport codes, HOU and KHOU, respectively, is located in Houston, Texas. The airport is approximately seven miles from downtown Houston at 7800 Airport Boulevard. It is Houston's oldest commercial airport and was its primary airport until the Houston Intercontinental Airport, now the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, opened in 1969.

William P. Hobby Airport is one of three airports serving Houston, Texas, in the US. It is the second-largest airport in Houston and the 37th busiest airport in North America. The airport is owned and operated by the Houston Airport System. It is a significant hub for Southwest Airlines, which operates both domestic and international flights from the airport.

The airport has a rich history dating back to the 1920s. In 1927, Texas businessman W. T. Carter, Jr. purchased the property in South Houston with the intention of constructing the city's first airport. Despite initial resistance from the city council, Carter persevered and constructed what would become William P. Hobby Airport. The airport has undergone numerous expansions and renovations over the years, including a recent $250 million expansion project announced by Southwest Airlines in 2022, adding seven gates to the west concourse.

William P. Hobby Airport offers a range of amenities and facilities for travellers, including cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, and visitor information centres. The airport also features art installations and performances by local musicians, showcasing the cultural spirit of Houston. With its convenient location, easy accessibility, and range of services, William P. Hobby Airport plays a vital role in providing air connectivity for passengers travelling through the region.

It's Houston's second-largest airport

William P. Hobby Airport, also known as Houston Hobby Airport, is Houston's second-largest airport. It is located 7 miles (11 km) from downtown Houston, Texas, and is the city's oldest commercial airport. The airport first opened in June 1927 as a private landing field in a 600-acre pasture known as W.T. Carter Field. In the 1930s, it was served by Braniff International Airways and Eastern Air Lines. The site was acquired by the city of Houston and renamed Houston Municipal Airport in 1937.

Over the years, Hobby Airport has undergone several name changes and expansions. It was renamed Howard R. Hughes Airport in 1938, but the name was changed back to Houston Municipal because Howard Hughes was still alive, and regulations did not allow federal improvement funds for an airport named after a living person. In 1940, the city of Houston opened a new air terminal and hangar. The airport was Houston's primary airport until the opening of the Houston Intercontinental Airport (now George Bush Intercontinental Airport) in 1969, after which Hobby Airport became a secondary airport for domestic airline service and a centre for corporate and private aviation.

Hobby Airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years. In 2012, Houston's city council approved Southwest Airlines' request for international flights from Hobby, and a terminal expansion was completed in 2015. In 2022, the airport registered a total of 13,113,866 passengers and is currently served by 7 airlines, reaching over 70 destinations worldwide. The airport has also been enhancing its food and beverage options, with several new restaurants opening in recent years. Additionally, Southwest Airlines announced a $250 million expansion project in 2022, adding seven gates to the west concourse, with the city of Houston contributing $20 million towards the project.

Southwest Airlines is its main operator

William P. Hobby Airport, also known as Houston Hobby Airport, is located in Houston, Texas, United States, approximately seven miles from downtown Houston. It is one of three airports serving Houston, Texas, and is the second-largest airport in the city. The airport is owned and operated by the Houston Airport System.

Southwest Airlines is the main operator at William P. Hobby Airport. In 2022, Southwest Airlines accounted for almost 94% of all flights at the airport, serving the majority of its route network. The airline employs over 5,000 personnel in Houston, most of whom are based at Hobby Airport. Southwest Airlines has international and domestic flights from Hobby Airport, carrying the vast majority of its passengers. As of December 2017, Hobby Airport was the fifth-largest airport in Southwest's network.

The history of Southwest Airlines at Hobby Airport dates back several decades. In the fall of 1979, Southwest Airlines was already operating at the airport, with nonstop flights to Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas Love Field, Harlingen, Lubbock, San Antonio, and New Orleans. Over the years, Southwest has continued to expand its presence at the airport. In May 2012, the Houston city council approved Southwest's request to operate international flights from Hobby Airport, and the airline launched these international flights in October 2015.

Southwest Airlines has also invested significantly in expanding and improving the infrastructure at Hobby Airport. The airline funded a $156 million terminal expansion project that added five new gates and improved parking and security facilities. In March 2022, Southwest announced another expansion project worth $250 million to add seven gates to the west concourse, with six of these gates to be used exclusively by Southwest for domestic flights. These expansion projects demonstrate Southwest Airlines' commitment to Hobby Airport and its role as the main operator at the airport.

In addition to Southwest Airlines, other airlines serving Hobby Airport include Allegiant, American, Delta, and Frontier. However, Southwest Airlines remains the dominant carrier, with a strong presence and significant investments in the airport's infrastructure and operations.

Hobby Airport is 7 miles from downtown Houston

William P. Hobby Airport, colloquially referred to as Houston Hobby, is located approximately seven miles from downtown Houston. The airport is situated at 7800 Airport Boulevard in Houston, Texas, and is recognised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as HOU. Houston Hobby is the second-largest airport in Houston and the 37th busiest airport in North America. It is also the oldest commercial airport in Houston, serving as the city's primary airport until the opening of the Houston Intercontinental Airport (now known as the George Bush Intercontinental Airport) in 1969.

Houston Hobby is a significant hub for Southwest Airlines, which operates both international and domestic flights from the airport. In 2023, the airline served the majority of the airport's 14 million passengers. Southwest Airlines has heavily invested in the airport's expansion, contributing $156 million to the construction of five new gates and a new parking garage in 2012. The airline also funded the $250 million expansion project announced in 2022, which includes the addition of seven gates to the west concourse.

Houston Hobby is accessible via various transportation options, including car rental services, four bus lines, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO). The airport features a range of amenities, such as restaurants, cafes, shops, and designated smoking areas. Art installations and performances by local musicians add to the airport's cultural offerings. Houston Hobby has also received recognition for its excellence, being named the first 5-Star airport in North America by Skytrax in 2022 and honoured as the best Regional Airport in North America by the World Airport Awards.

It's the 37th busiest airport in North America

William P. Hobby Airport, colloquially referred to as Houston Hobby, is located in Houston, Texas, United States. It is one of three airports serving Houston, alongside George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Ellington Field. Houston Hobby is situated 7 miles (11 km) from downtown Houston and is accessible by four bus lines. The airport is equipped with four runways and a two-level central concourse with 25-26 gates.

Houston Hobby is the second-largest airport in Houston and has been recognised as the 37th busiest airport in North America. In 2011, the airport served 9.8 million passengers, and in 2022, this number increased to over 12.2 million, with more than 913,000 international travellers despite the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2023, the airport served 14 million passengers, with Southwest Airlines carrying the majority of its route network. Houston Hobby is a significant hub for Southwest Airlines, with the airline employing over 5,000 personnel in the city, mostly at the Hobby Airport.

The history of Houston Hobby dates back to the late 1920s when Texas businessman W. T. Carter, Jr. purchased the property in South Houston. Initially called the W. T. Carter Field, it served as an airmail service and later became Houston's first airport. In 1969, Houston Intercontinental Airport (now George Bush Intercontinental Airport) opened, and Hobby Airport was designated a General Aviation Airport. However, it regained its importance as a domestic airline service airport and a centre for corporate and private aviation.

Over the years, Houston Hobby has undergone several expansion and renovation projects to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. In 2012, Southwest Airlines initiated a terminal expansion to accommodate international flights, adding five new gates and constructing a new parking garage. Additionally, Southwest Airlines announced a $250 million expansion project in 2022 to add seven gates to the west concourse, with the city of Houston contributing $20 million. These developments highlight the ongoing efforts to enhance the airport's capacity and improve the overall travel experience for passengers travelling through Houston Hobby Airport.

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