Quantcast

Southwest Airlines boosts international operations at Houston Hobby Airport

Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
Qatar Airways places record $96 billion Boeing order amid Trump visit
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
Southwest Airlines boosts international operations at Houston Hobby Airport
Policy
Webp received 663829689723425
Southwest Airlines | Official Website

William P. Hobby Airport in Houston operates as a major base for Southwest Airlines and is among Texas's busiest airports. It is served by eight airlines offering flights to over 80 destinations, with nearly 15 million passengers last year. The airport, nearing a century of operations, originally opened in 1927 as a private airfield on a 600-acre pasture. By the early 1930s, Braniff International Airways and Eastern Air Lines were serving it. The city acquired it in 1938, naming it Howard Hughes Airport, but it was quickly renamed Houston Municipal Airport to qualify for federal improvement funds.

Post-war, Houston Hobby saw rapid growth in airlines and routes, especially toward Latin America and the Caribbean. Braniff International Airways began international flights in 1948; Pan Am started flights to Mexico in 1950; and Delta Air Lines began Caribbean routes. KLM offered the first transatlantic flights in 1957. By the 1950s' end, the airport served over a million passengers annually.

In the 1960s, Delta Air Lines initiated jet service with its Douglas DC-8 to New York. The airport was renamed after former Texas governor William P. Hobby in 1967. With the opening of a new international airport in 1969, all commercial airlines moved there, leaving Houston Hobby without scheduled passenger service.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Southwest Airlines revitalized Houston Hobby in 1971, using it for intrastate flights within Texas, thus avoiding federal regulations and undercutting competitors’ prices. Southwest's network expanded across Texas, leading to legal battles with Braniff, Texas International, and Continental. However, Southwest prevailed, and by deregulation in 1979, it had secured its position alongside other smaller carriers.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, Southwest expanded nationwide, leading to continued growth at Houston Hobby. By the century's end, it served 30 destinations. In 2011, Southwest pushed for international flights from the airport, resulting in a $156 million expansion for a new concourse with five international gates, operational in 2015.

Today, Houston Hobby may be smaller than its counterpart across town, but it remains vital to the local economy, serving over a million passengers monthly. Skytrax named it North America’s first five-star airport in 2022. Southwest operates 93% of flights, and airlines like Avelo Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines also serve the airport.

Houston Hobby plans a $470 million expansion to include seven new gates and improved facilities. Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, stated, “This expansion isn’t just about adding more gates—it’s about enhancing every aspect of the passenger experience."

Southwest funds much of the expansion, which will conclude by 2027. The expansion prompts Southwest to consolidate operations entirely at Houston Hobby.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Lufthansa has announced the introduction of unlimited free chatting on its long-haul flights.

Jun 3, 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the integration of its CO2 Connect tool into the Amadeus Travel Platform.

Jun 3, 2025

Emirates and Air China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore an enhanced partnership.

Jun 3, 2025

Air New Zealand is set to expand its fleet with the arrival of two new A321neo aircraft, each covering a distance of 19,342 kilometers from the Airbus facility in Hamburg to Auckland.

Jun 3, 2025

GOL and TAP Air Portugal have adopted the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) FuelIS platform to enhance their fuel management strategies.

Jun 3, 2025

Air New Zealand is set to introduce a new seasonal route connecting Christchurch and Adelaide, offering travelers a direct link between the South Island of New Zealand and South Australia.

Jun 3, 2025