Houston's first airport opened in June 1927 as W. T. Carter Field, a private landing strip in a 600-acre pasture, and has carried former Governor William P. Hobby's name since 1967. It is the closer of the two airports and the smaller: 1,304 acres, three runways and one terminal with two concourses, the 25-gate Central Concourse of 2003 and the West Concourse, whose five gates opened on October 15, 2015, mostly for Southwest's international flights. Southwest carries about 94.6 percent of its passengers, and Hobby is one of its operating bases. More gates are on the way: seven, under construction since November 2024 and scheduled for 2027. Across the field stands the 1940 terminal, Joseph Finger's streamline moderne hall and Houston's first purpose-built passenger terminal. Its museum closed in March 2026, and in July 2026 the Texas Historical Commission leased the building to study it as a state historic site.
What to expect
- Taxis load at Curb Zone 2 outside baggage claim; ride apps at Curb Zone 5.
- The Hobby Transit Center is just north of the baggage claim exits.
- The 500 bus runs about 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. to downtown and the convention center.
- Downtown is about 25 minutes by road without traffic.
- The 1940 terminal is closed while the state studies it as a historic site.
What to do
- Ride METRO's 500 Downtown Direct from the Hobby Transit Center, just north of the baggage claim exits
- Take the 40 for the $1.25 local fare: it runs through downtown to the Heights
- Meet your ride app at Curb Zone 5 on the Arrivals Level; taxis load at Curb Zone 2
- June 1927, as W. T. Carter FieldOpened
- 30 in two concoursesGates
- About 94.6 percentSouthwest's share
- 13,943,759Passengers in 2025