Some consider it a part of the family.

Others find the charm of Houston’s second-largest airport an irresistible attraction to the world of aviation. Whatever the reason, the eight decade old airport seems to be doing something right.

Last year, it served more than 8.5 million passengers.

Many of those passengers are longtime frequent fliers like Ralph Joffrion. The Houston businessman has been flying in an out of William P. Hobby Airport since the days when check-ins consisted of stating ones name into a voice recorder.

He has witnessed the airport evolve over the years and considers himself fortunate for having done so, but more importantly, thinks of Hobby as a part of his life.

“I went from traveling all over the West for business, five to six years ago, now I only travel three to four times a year,” Joffrion says. “Hobby has always been real convenient for me.”

Appreciating the airport, though, does not seem to be something exclusive to longtime travelers. First-timers also seem equally impressed.

Ray and Alvina Horace from Tucson, Arizona had never been to the airport, but they had heard about it. As they sat in the food court, enjoying a meal from Pappasito’s, the couple compared their own experiences with those of their acquaintances.

“We weren’t expecting much from Hobby Airport,” Alvina explains. “Some of our friends came through Houston and they didn’t do the airport justice.”

Among the airport’s most impressive attributes for the Horace’s were the dining and retail selections, the unique design of the Central Concourse and a little store called Rodeo Houston. They are not alone. Last year, a J.D. Powers and Associates customer satisfaction survey found that Hobby Airport is the number one preferred smaller airport in the United States by travelers.