Information and Travel Guide for Houston William P. Hobby Airport
Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

The William P. Hobby Airport is the second largest airport in Houston, Texas and is located just 7 miles from the city's downtown. It is the domestic partner of Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport. It offers 32 non-stop flights to US destinations. It is served by 5 airlines and is a major hub of Southwest Airlines.

In terms of total passenger traffic, William P. Hobby Airport ranks as the 41st busiest airport in the United States. It receives an average of about 820,000 passengers every month. In 2011, the airport served 9.8 million passengers.

History

The site of William P. Hobby Airport was originally a private airport that the city of Houston bought in 1937 and renamed Houston Municipal Airport. Major renovations were done to the facility throughout the 1940s and 50s. The airport added a terminal, runways and other aviation facilities. In 1967, it was given its current name in honor of former Texas Governor William P. Hobby.

In 1969, all passenger traffic at the airport was redirected to the newly-completed Houston Intercontinental Airport. The Hobby Airport continued operations as a general aviation facility, handling air cargo and corporate flights until 1971 when Southwest Airlines restarted commercial flights. A plan for international service at the airport was approved by the Houston City Council on May 2012.

Services and Amenities

  • Financial Services - There are 2 Chase Bank ATMs in the Central Lobby and 1 in the Central Concourse Rotunda.

  • Internet Services - There is limited wireless internet connection at the airport with further access to Wi-Fi service provided by Boingo Wireless at the provider's current rates.

  • Food Services - The airport has over a dozen dining establishments. Feast on hand-tossed pizzas at Barry's Pizza, relish some buffalo wings at the award-winning Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant and bar or grab prime burgers and handspun milkshakes at Pappas Burgers.

  • Retail Services - In addition to a number of Hudson Newsstands and bookstores, there are a few retail shops that can be found near the food court on the Central Concourse such as Discover Houston Space City and Rodeo Houston for locally themed items.

  • Transportation - Visitors have many ground transport options including taxi, shuttle and bus services located curbside outside of the terminal's baggage claim area. SuperShuttle Shared-Ride service is available at the airport as well as courtesy hotel/motel vans. Major rental car companies also service the airport.

  • Other - The airport has 2 interfaith chapels open at all hours and a USO lounge located near Gate 40 on the Central Concourse. Other facilities include charging stations, a mailbox, massage chairs, phone card machines and shoe shine stands.

Parking

The terminal is connected to a 4-storey parking garage, which is in between 2 economy parking lots (ecopark). There are over 4,000 total parking spaces at the airport. Ticketless parking via credit card is available. The airport also offers an exclusive Executive Parking lot, valet parking and SurePark guaranteed parking.

Surrounding Area and Attractions

Visitors will find a long list of things to do and places to go to in the Houston area. Be entertained at the Bayou Place in the Downtown Theater District which has theaters, lounges, restaurants and bars. For upscale shopping, head to the largest mall in Houston, the Galleria. For ultimate family fun, there's Splashtown in North Houston. Other remarkable attractions include the Museum District, Johnson Space Center and Kemah Boardwalk.


Contact Information:

Address: 7800 Airport Boulevard, Houston, TX 77061, USA
Phone number: 1 (713) 640-3000
Fax: 1 713 640 7703
Number of Terminals: 1
Website: www.houstonairportsystem.org
Time Zone: GMT - 6 (GMT - 5 from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October)
Location: The airport is located 11km (7 miles) southeast of Houston
IATA airport code: HOU