William P. Hobby Airport continues to find ways to enhance the passenger experience.

Michael Powers, A.C.E., Division Manager – Project Management, recently discussed an ongoing initiative that sits well with those enhancements. To be specific, comfort seating.

“Electric seating is now available at Gates 28 through 32,” Michael said. “The emphasis is wanting to make the passenger experience even more comfortable and more innovative than ever before. As much as we can, we want to give them the luxury of ‘home away from home.’”

The first of 3 planned phases in this effort was completed at the end of May 2018. Now, more than 70 percent of the seats in these 5 gates house electrical or USB ports. Each of the equipped seats has 2 power outlets and 2 USB ports available. Each chair has 4 outlets: power modules are designed for AC and USB charging and plug connections will accommodate 120 and 220 VAC.

From underneath their chairs, passengers can charge phones and power laptops. “We’re living in a digital world,” Michael said, “and going forward people will have multiple and immediate options as far as powering up their electrical devices.”

The second phase of this project will entail getting electric outlets installed throughout the Hobby concourse, including Gates 20-27 and 40-51. The third phase will include the installation of additional furniture, anticipated to be achieved by the end of Fiscal Year 2019.

Several airlines are key stakeholders in this effort: Delta, American, and JetBlue are all working toward the completion of this effort. If historical precedent holds true, Michael stated that the power seating is going to be a “big hit.” “In 2015,” he said, “we put power seating in the West Concourse and people responded very positively to the convenience afforded by the enhancement. The chairs were even equipped with cupholders to better serve passengers.

Liliana Rambo, CAPP, General Manager at Hobby, said that realizing these initiatives only help in driving Hobby closer to the Houston Airports’ stated goal of being recognized as a 5-star global air service gateway. Earlier this year, Hobby was recognized for the third consecutive year as a 4-star airport by Skytrax, a leading global air transport rating organization. Hobby and Bush Intercontinental are both 4-star rated airports, making Houston only the third city in the world with two airports given a 4-star rating, and the only city in the Western Hemisphere with two 4-star rated airports.

“We are very pleased to offer these enhancements to the passenger experience,” Liliana said. “We continue to endeavor to put their needs first.”