Houston Airport: Which County Does It Belong To?

Houston, Texas, is served by several airports, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport, Ellington Airport, and Houston Spaceport. George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston, is the primary airport serving the city. Initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969, it was renamed in 1997 after George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States. Covering 10,000 acres (40 km2) of land, the airport features five runways and is a major hub for United Airlines.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969, the airport was renamed in 1997 to honour George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States and a Houston resident. It is commonly referred to as Houston International Airport or George Bush International Airport. The airport spans 10,000 acres (40 km2) and features five runways, catering to a high volume of domestic and international flights to destinations across five continents.

The airport offers a range of dining and beverage options, including Starbucks, which provides single-origin premium coffees, iced espresso drinks, Frappuccinos, and lunch items like sandwiches, salads, and pastries. Additionally, travellers can find Tex-Mex cuisine, including nachos, fajitas, and quesadillas, at various locations throughout the airport.

William P. Hobby Airport

Hobby Airport opened in June 1927 as a private landing field in a 600-acre (240 ha) 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 was named Houston Municipal Airport in 1937. The airport was renamed Howard R. Hughes Airport in 1938, after Howard Hughes, who was responsible for several improvements to the airport, including the construction of its first control tower in 1938. However, the airport's name changed back to Houston Municipal as regulations did not allow federal improvement funds for an airport named after a living person. In 1967, the airport was renamed after former Texas governor, William P. Hobby.

The airport has a variety of transportation options, including bus and shuttle services to locations outside metropolitan Houston, as well as Galveston and College Station. Taxis are available at Curb Zone 2, while Lyft and Uber can be found at Curb Zone 5. There is also a frequent bus service during the week between the airport and the Fannin South Transit Center, connecting to the Metro Rail Red Line.

Ellington Airport

Ellington Field once offered scheduled commercial air service, with Continental Express flights operating between Ellington and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in north Houston until 2004. This route, at only 25 nautical miles (46 km), was the shortest fixed-wing route flown in the United States, with flight times as short as six minutes. Today, Ellington serves as a reliever airport for both Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby Airport, handling diverted aircraft during bad weather and peak traffic.

The airport covers an area of 2,362 acres (9.56 km2) and consists of three active runways, including a 9,001-foot (2,744 m) ILS CAT I runway and an 8,001-foot (2,439 m) runway. In 2017, the Lone Star Flight Museum moved to Ellington, constructing a new facility to house its aircraft and the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. The museum's facility also includes training centers and administrative space.

In 2015, Ellington Airport was granted a Launch Site License from the Federal Aviation Administration, becoming the 10th commercial spaceport in the United States. The airport has since been explored as a potential landing site for the Dream Chaser spaceplane, with ongoing improvements to infrastructure to support this development.

Houston Spaceport

The Houston Spaceport was established in 2015 to serve as a hub for commercial aerospace and aviation companies and as a centre for research, development, fabrication, and education. It is the tenth commercial spaceport in the United States to receive a federal license for spaceflight. The Spaceport supports a broad range of commercial endeavours, from aerospace manufacturing and education to Low Earth Orbit and Lunar Operations activities.

The Houston Spaceport has attracted several companies and investments, contributing to the airport system's significant economic impact on the region. In 2018, the Houston City Council approved $18.8 million in funding for infrastructure development, marking the beginning of a multi-phase expansion project. This expansion provided essential infrastructure, including streets, water and wastewater pipelines, electrical power, and communications facilities.

The Houston Spaceport has also established partnerships with NASA and top universities to foster innovation and collaboration. In 2021, Venus Aerospace relocated to the Houston Spaceport, followed by RAVN Aerospace in 2022. These companies are developing hypersonic spacecraft and performing engine testing at the Spaceport. Additionally, Collins Aerospace constructed an 8-acre campus to support the development and testing of space systems, including next-generation spacesuits.

The Houston Spaceport continues to undergo development and expansion, attracting new businesses and investments. With its strong economy, diverse culture, and world-class museums, Houston is a leader in human spaceflight, commercial space, and aerospace innovation.

Houston County Airport

The other airports associated with Houston include the William P. Hobby Airport, Ellington Airport, and Houston Spaceport. These airports provide additional connectivity and support to the region, ensuring efficient air travel in and out of Houston.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport boasts several notable artworks and sculptures throughout its terminals. For instance, Terminal A North Concourse features Ed Carpenter's "Light Wings," a multicoloured glass sculpture suspended below a skylight. Terminal A South Concourse showcases Terry Allen's "Countree Music," a cast bronze tree that plays instrumental music by Joe Ely and David Byrne. The corridor leading to Terminal A displays Leamon Green's "Passing Through," a 200-foot (61-meter) etched glass wall depicting airport travellers.

Additionally, the airport features "Lights Spikes," a sculpture designed by Jay Baker for the 1990 G7 Summit hosted by President George H. W. Bush in Houston. The sculpture is positioned outside Terminal E, with its columns leaning at a ten-degree angle towards a central point representing Houston. The distance between each "spike" and this central point corresponds to the distance between Houston and the capitals of the countries whose flags are represented, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Canada, Italy, and Germany, as well as the European Community.

Frequently asked questions