Houston Airports earns global honors as record travel powers momentum

Apr 20, 2026

HOUSTON—Houston Airports earned multiple honors at the 2026 Skytrax World Airport Awards and reported record passenger and cargo activity in 2025.

Passengers ranked William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) as the cleanest airport in North America, while George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) placed among the world’s top 10 for airport dining. The airport system was also named World’s Best Airport Art for the fourth consecutive year.

The awards are based on passenger surveys conducted across more than 500 airports worldwide and are separate from the Skytrax audit process, which evaluates airport operations and customer experience.

HOU retained a 5-star rating for a fifth year and remains the only 5-star airport in North America, while IAH maintained a 4-star rating for a ninth year.

“This is about more than awards. Our airports are economic engines for this region, and our team works every day to make the airports a source of pride for Houstonians. I am very proud of the team at Hobby for being recognized by the traveling public for their stellar cleaning,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “We are focused on delivering the kind of safe, user-friendly experience Mayor Whitmire has called for, where people can move efficiently and confidently every time they travel. That is why we rely on independent audits to measure performance, track progress and hold ourselves accountable year after year.”

In 2025, more than 62 million passengers traveled through Houston’s airports. IAH recorded 12.4 million international passengers, a record driven by expanded nonstop service across Asia, Latin America, Canada and Europe. New routes continue to strengthen Houston’s global connectivity, including upcoming nonstop service to Rome.

Passenger-first improvements in 2025 include:

• Reduced severe roadway congestion at IAH during peak holiday travel
• Opened the new Terminal E Ticketing Lobby at IAH, adding 10 TSA lanes and restoring full curb capacity
• Reduced curbside congestion and improved parking flow through cashless upgrades
• Invested $30 million to renovate more than 40 restrooms, with satisfaction above 90%
• Expanded rideshare areas and bus shuttle service to improve access and reduce wait times
• Launched a redesigned, mobile-first Fly2Houston.com with a 24/7 chatbot
• Introduced Enhanced Passenger Processing at IAH, reducing customs processing wait times for US citizens by >25%

At HOU, 75 employees maintain more than 500,000 square feet of flooring and clean high-traffic areas multiple times each day. In 2025, more than 12 million passengers used HOU restrooms, where surveys recorded a 95% satisfaction rating.

Cargo activity also reached a new high in 2025, with Houston Airports handling 562,809 metric tons in 2025. Growth in international shipping and new freighter service linking Houston to Europe and Asia continues to strengthen the region’s role as a global trade hub.