Ruth Haines
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is located at 7800 Airport Blvd, Houston, TX 77061, approximately 7-11 miles southeast of downtown Houston. The airport features a variety of shops and restaurants, including Throughgood Bistro & Bar, Sprinkles Cupcakes, and The Spot. HOU offers essential amenities such as AEDs, ATMs, interactive visitor kiosks, lost and found, mothers' rooms, and vending machines. The airport is accessible via METRO local bus service, with over 80 routes and thousands of shelters and stops.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | William P. Hobby Airport |
| Location | 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston, TX 77061 |
| Distance from downtown Houston | 7 miles (11 km) |
| Phone number | 281-230-3100 |
| Number of terminals | 1 |
| Number of concourses | 2 |
| Number of gates | 30 |
| Number of lounges | 1 (USO Lounge for active military personnel) |
| Amenities | Restaurants, shops, free Wi-Fi, play area, baby facilities, little libraries, art installations, smoking area |
| Transportation | METRO local bus service, taxis, Uber, Lyft, shuttle services, rental cars |
| Annual passengers | 14 million (2023) |
| Ranking | 34th in passenger traffic |
| Art installations | "Take-off" by Paul Kittleson and Carter Ernst, "Air Ships" by Lance Letscher, "Almost" by Lee Alice H. Pablo |
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What You'll Learn
The airport's history
William P. Hobby Airport, located approximately seven miles from downtown Houston, has a rich history dating back to the early days of aviation. The airport first opened its doors in June 1927 as a private landing field known as W.T. Carter Field, named after Texas businessman and city council member W. T. Carter, Jr., who constructed it on his purchased land.
In the 1930s, the airport was served by Braniff International Airways and Eastern Air Lines. The City of Houston acquired the site in 1937 and renamed it Houston Municipal Airport. The airport underwent significant improvements under Howard R. Hughes, including the construction of its first control tower in 1938, leading to a rename to Howard R. Hughes Airport. However, due to regulations prohibiting federal improvement funds for airports named after living individuals, the airport's name reverted to Houston Municipal Airport.
The airport continued to expand and develop, with the city of Houston opening a new air terminal and hangar in 1940. During World War II, further upgrades were made, including paved runways, additional hangars, and a runway lighting system. International flights commenced in 1948, with Braniff including Houston on routes from Dallas to Central and South America. In 1950, Pan American Airlines introduced direct service from Houston to Mexico City, solidifying Hobby Airport's role as a gateway to Central and South America.
The airport underwent various name changes, reflecting its growth and expansion. In 1954, it was renamed Houston Intercontinental Airport, and in 1967, it was renamed William P. Hobby Airport after the former Texas governor and Houston civic leader. Despite the opening of the new Houston Intercontinental Airport in 1969, which led to a temporary downsizing of commercial traffic at Hobby, the airport continued to serve both private and corporate aircraft. Commercial flights resumed at Hobby in 1971, and the airport has since undergone numerous expansions and improvements to accommodate increasing passenger traffic.
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Location and transportation
William P. Hobby Airport, also known as HOU, is located approximately 7 to 11 miles southeast of downtown Houston, Texas. The airport is accessible by various transportation options, including bus, rail, shuttle, taxi, and ride-sharing services.
For those travelling by bus, there are several options available. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, or METRO, provides local bus services to and from the airport. Specifically, bus lines 40 Telephone/Heights and 50 Broadway connect the airport to Eastwood Transit Center, Downtown, North Shepard Park and Ride, and Magnolia Park Transit Center. The journey from downtown Houston typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour. In addition to local buses, cruise and charter buses are also available at the airport, with passengers being met at baggage claim by their respective representatives.
The METRORail light rail system also serves Hobby Airport, with the Green Line providing a 16-minute connection to the Magnolia Park Transit Center, from where passengers can transfer to the 50 Broadway bus to reach the airport. The Purple Line also travels through downtown Houston and the Theater District, providing an alternative route to the airport.
Shuttle services are available at the airport, with private and shared-ride shuttles departing from Curb Zone 4. Taxi services can be found at Curb Zone 2, while ride-sharing options such as Uber and Lyft are accessible at Curb Zone 5.
William P. Hobby Airport offers a range of amenities and conveniences for travellers, including newsstands, convenience stores, vending machines, ATMs, interactive visitor kiosks, and lost and found services. The airport also features art installations and sculptures throughout its terminal, contributing to a pleasant travel experience.
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Amenities and services
William P. Hobby Airport, also known as HOU, is located approximately 11 miles southeast of downtown Houston, Texas. The airport is run by the City of Houston Department of Aviation and has been serving passengers since 1927. It is Houston's second busiest airport, with 14 million passengers in 2023. HOU has been recognised as Texas's only 5-star airport.
William P. Hobby Airport offers a range of amenities and services for travellers. The airport consists of one terminal with two concourses, with a total of 30 gates. The Central Concourse has 25 gates, while the West Concourse has five. The two concourses are connected by a long corridor with moving walkways, allowing passengers to easily access concessions across both areas.
The airport provides essential amenities such as AED, ATMs, interactive visitor kiosks, a lost and found service, mothers' rooms, service animal relief areas, water bottle filling stations, and wheelchairs. It also offers airport information booths, baggage carts, USO, courtesy phones, and vending machines for snacks and drinks.
HOU features a variety of shops and restaurants across both concourses, ensuring travellers have access to food and retail options during their time at the airport. The airport also has a USO Lounge for active military personnel, located on the lower level near gate 44.
For travellers with young children, there is a play area and baby facilities available. Additionally, those seeking a quiet space can make use of the Little Library. The airport also has a smoking area, located outside the terminal at least 25 feet from any doorway.
William P. Hobby Airport provides access to ground transportation services, including rental car offices, located on Level 1 in front of the baggage claim carousels. Various bus services, such as METRO, also serve the airport, providing connections to downtown Houston and other destinations.
The airport offers expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Program. Additionally, Global Entry applicants can take advantage of the Enrollment on Arrival program for simplified entry. Currency exchange services are available on Level 2 near the security checkpoint.
With a focus on sustainability, William P. Hobby Airport has implemented carbon reduction strategies and initiatives towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The airport also showcases artistic pieces and sculptures throughout its terminal, contributing to a unique travel experience.
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Art installations
Hobby Airport features a large collection of art installations and sculptures throughout its terminal. The art installations are the result of a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, the Houston Arts Alliance, and the Houston Airport System. The airport has around 350 artworks in various styles and media, including paintings, sculptures, music, textile art, video art, and sound art. Half of these artworks are located outside passenger security zones, meaning that they can be viewed by all airport visitors, not just those who are travelling.
One of the most prominent pieces is located at the TSA checkpoint. This is a floor-to-ceiling, curved tower adorned with crystals, titled 'Wings', created by Indian artist Dharmesh Patel. Another notable piece is 'Vector HH' by Luca Buvoli, a steel and acrylic display hanging from the ceiling at the TSA checkpoint.
Other artworks include 'Take-off' by artists Paul Kittleson and Carter Ernst, a stainless steel bird's nest showing interwoven branches created using industrial materials, located at Hobby's Broadway Street entrance. 'Air Ships' by Lance Letscher and 'Almost' by Lee Alice H. Pablo can be found near Gates 1-5.
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Expansion plans
William P. Hobby Airport, located in Houston, Texas, has a range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, vending machines, and essential services such as AEDs, ATMs, and a lost and found. The airport also boasts a large collection of art installations and sculptures throughout its terminal.
William P. Hobby Airport has undergone significant expansion and improvement projects throughout its history. The airport, which first opened in June 1927 as a private landing field, has transformed into Houston's second busiest airport, serving 14 million passengers in 2023.
In March 2022, Southwest Airlines announced a $250 million expansion project to add seven gates to the airport's west concourse. This project, expected to take five years, will include six gates for Southwest's exclusive use for domestic flights and one gate available for other airlines. The city of Houston is contributing $20 million toward this expansion.
The airport has also implemented technological advancements, becoming the first airport in Texas to offer full biometric entry and exit for international passengers in February 2020. Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has selected Hobby Airport as one of five airports for expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers.
Hobby Airport is committed to sustainability and has achieved a 22% reduction in emissions between 2019 and 2022. As a participant in the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, the airport has been recognised for its operational improvements and broader modernisation efforts, including upgrades to energy systems and electric vehicle integration.
The airport's commitment to sustainability is not limited to emissions reductions. They have also implemented carbon reduction strategies and book-sharing libraries, with a target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
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Frequently asked questions
The William P. Hobby Airport is located at 7800 Airport Blvd, Houston, TX 77061, USA. It is approximately 7-11 miles southeast of downtown Houston.
You can get to the airport via the METRO local bus service. The Red Line travels through downtown Houston, and you can transfer to the Green Line at Central Station Main. At Central Station Rusk, take the Green Line eastbound and get off at Magnolia Park Transit Center. From there, take the 50 Broadway bus to the Hobby Airport Transit Center. This entire trip will take just over 45 minutes.
The airport offers essential amenities such as AED, ATMs, interactive visitor kiosks, lost and found, mothers' rooms, service animal relief, water bottle filling stations, and wheelchairs. There are also newsstands, convenience stores, vending machines, a smoking area, and a Little Library.
The airport features a variety of art installations and sculptures throughout its terminal. Notable pieces include "Take-off" by artists Paul Kittleson and Carter Ernst, located at Hobby's Broadway Street entrance, and "Air Ships" by Lance Letscher, located near Gates 1-5.
