Our Review of Houston Hobby Airport (HOU)

Table of contents: Our Review of Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) Pros and Cons of Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Houston Hobby Airport (HOU)

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Pros and Cons of Houston Hobby Airport (HOU)

PROS

Location: The Houston Hobby Airport is easily accessible for passengers, since it’s located approximately 7 miles (11 Kms) south of Houston’s downtown. It is well-connected by road and acts as a gateway to the Greater Houston region.

Southwest Airlines Hub: Hobby Airport is a focus city for Southwest Airlines, with a large number of local flights as well as some foreign connections to Mexico and Central America. Because of this, it’s a practical option for tourists visiting both domestic and foreign locations.

Modern Facilities: The airport has modern and advanced, spotless amenities, including free Wi-Fi, cozy waiting lounges, and a range of food and retail options. The overall passenger experience has been enhanced by the recent modifications.

Parking Options: Travelers may choose from a variety of parking options at Houston Hobby Airport, including valet, long-term, and short-term parking.

Accessibility: There are several ways to get from HOU to the city, including taxis, shuttles, ride-sharing services, and public transportation.

Advanced Imaging Technology(AIT): When you arrive at a checkpoint where AIT is in operation, the staff will ask you to enter the unit with your feet slightly spread apart and your arms raised overhead. While you are in this specified position, a scan of your image allows their staff to better detect threats such as weapons, explosives or other objects, which may be concealed under layers of clothing.

CONS:

Seasonal Crowding: The airport may get quite busy during the peak travel seasons, which might result in longer wait times and a more stressful journey.

Small Size: In comparison to larger airports, the airport offers less facilities and services due to its reduced size. For example, the number of lounges and VIP services are less compared to other large airports.

Traffic Congestion: The roads leading to the airport can become heavily congested, especially during peak hours, which can cause delays for travelers arriving by car or taxi.

Maintenance Issues: Occasionally, the airport undergoes maintenance, which may cause brief closures or restricted access to some areas, inconveniencing travelers.

Weather-Related Disruptions: Cyclones and thunderstorms are common in Houston, which can lead to flight delays and cancellations.

Limited Seating Areas: It might be difficult to locate a seat in the terminal during crowded times, especially close to the gates and the food areas.

Less Number of Lounges: HOU does not have an extensive selection of lounges compared to other airports.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Single Terminal: The Houston Hobby Airport has single main terminal with two concourses, an international concourse and a domestic concourse. Compared to airports with several terminals, this makes navigation easier, but for a smoother experience, make sure you are familiar with your concourse in advance.

Transport to and from Houston: HOU is well-connected to downtown Houston and surrounding areas by various modes of transport, including taxis, ride-sharing services, shuttles, and public buses. For a convenient and quick ride, consider taking a taxi or using a ride-sharing service. Public buses are economical traveling options.

Check-in Area: HOU check-in area is located in level-2 of the terminal with departure level. Once they clear security, passengers can access the boarding gates and further amenities.

Dining and Shopping: HOU provides a wide range of eating and retail options. There is something for every kind of passenger, including retail establishments, gift shops, and casual dining and fast food restaurants.

Lounges: Although HOU does not have a large number of lounges, those that are open provide a cozy spot for relaxing before your trip. You can anticipate free refreshments, snacks, and a peaceful sitting space. USO Lounge is one of the limited lounges in HOU.

Additional Tips and Services: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, though it can sometimes be slow during peak times. Charging stations are also available. Facilities to assist passengers with disabilities, including wheelchair services, accessible restrooms, and dedicated parking spaces are also the additional services.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation