Welcome toWilliam P. Hobby Airport

They are often the first people travelers see and the last to offer reassurance before boarding. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), the Houston Airports Volunteer Ambassadors are a crucial role in the airport system’s plan to deliver a world-class passenger experience, each and every time.During a recent recognition celebration at Houston City Hall, Houston Airports honored volunteers who have marked five, 10, and 15 years of service. Houston Airports Director Jim Szczesniak, along with the general managers for IAH and HOU and the Houston Airports Guest Experience team, personally thanked volunteers for a job well don. The luncheon also highlighted a broader message about consistency and reliability in a complex environment.“Milestones mattered, but the message was broader,” said Ella Ghica, manager of volunteer programs for Houston Airports. “Every volunteer plays a role in making our airports feel organized, functional and welcoming.”The Volunteer Ambassador Program began in the summer of 2002. Ghica joined in 2008, when the program had just eight volunteers. Today, the program includes 75 volunteers at Bush Airport and 49 at Hobby Airport. In 2025, volunteers contributed more than 14,222 hours of service, supporting millions of passengers moving through Houston’s airports. Volunteers assist with directions, accessibility needs and customer questions while adapting to changing conditions across terminals. Some step in on short notice to cover shifts. Others mentor new volunteers, maintain Little Free Libraries or support pet therapy teams.This year, Houston Airports also recognized 12 recipients of the Supportive Service Award, six at each airport. The award honors volunteers who regularly go beyond their assigned roles to keep the program running smoothly. Selecting recipients was difficult, Ghica said, because the same commitment shows up daily across the program.The volunteer corps also included 22 teen volunteers during the summer and three corporate partners, with plans to expand corporate participation as Houston prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Behind the scenes, the Volunteer Ambassador Program supports the mission of Houston Airports: to connect people, businesses, cultures and economies to Houston. For passengers, that mission is often experienced through a single interaction that helps them move forward with confidence.Those interested in joining the Volunteer Ambassador Program can learn more and apply at Fly2Houston.com.

Travelers moving through the Central Concourse at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) now have a new sit-down dining option as Yard House officially opens its doors between Gates 25 and 26. This location marks the first franchised Yard House and our first airport restaurant, bringing our signature vibe and world-class beer selection to travelers nationwide.The restaurant is part of the Houston Airports multi-phase concessions transformation at Hobby, which is reshaping the airport’s food and beverage mix with a focus on recognizable brands, expanded seating and full-service concepts designed to serve passengers throughout the day.Yard House is known nationally for its large draft beer program and a broad, contemporary American menu. At HOU, the restaurant features a full bar lined with dozens of rotating taps, alongside indoor seating and bar seating positioned directly along the concourse, allowing passengers to dine without having to stray far from their gate.The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, salads and shareable plates, with options available from late morning through the evening. Televisions mounted throughout the space give it the feel of a neighborhood sports bar, while the open layout keeps sightlines clear for boarding announcements and foot traffic.The opening marks another milestone in Hobby’s broader concessions refresh, which has rolled out in phases to minimize disruption while expanding choices for passengers. Houston Airports has emphasized full-service dining, improved seating capacity and a balance of national brands and local concepts as core goals of the program.Additional concessions are expected to open in 2026 as the transformation continues across Hobby Airport.

Travel days are usually about moving fast. Gates. Connections. Arrival boards. But at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Houston Airports is inviting travelers to slow down, if only for a quick match.New foosball tables, wrapped in Houston Airports FIFA World Cup–inspired branding, are now available for passengers. - At Bush Airport, travelers can find them near Gates D15 and D1 and in the Terminal E Arrivals Hall.- At Hobby Airport, a foosball table is set up in the Central Concourse, just behind the Information Booth.The tables are free to use and add a moment of play as Houston builds momentum toward hosting the world’s largest sporting event in 2026.The look is intentional. The same bold colors and fútbol-themed visuals seen throughout the terminals now wrap the tables, reinforcing a simple message: wherever fútbol happens, it’s nonstop from Houston.Travelers are accepting the invitation. Some pause between flights. Others stumble upon the tables by chance. Either way, hands find the rods, strangers become competitors, and the rhythm of airport travel briefly shifts.The foosball tables are part of a broader effort to make IAH and HOU more welcoming and more reflective of the city they serve. As Houston prepares for an influx of soccer fans, the goooooooooooal is simple: give travelers a reason to smile before the next boarding call.PLAN YOUR TRIP | Houston Airports connects fans to every 2026 tournament host city