Houston Airports earns top Skytrax honors while focusing on real-world improvements

Apr 9, 2025

HOUSTON — Houston Airports was honored at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards, earning multiple global recognitions, including:

• William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) retained a 5-star rating for a 4th year.
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) maintained a 4-star rating for an 8th year.
• For the third year in a row, Houston Airports was named “World’s Best Airport Art.”

While the awards are appreciated, Houston Airports leaders say their focus remains on delivering visible, measurable improvements that align with the City of Houston’s high standards for public service.

“This recognition is meaningful,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “But awards aren’t the goal—passenger experience is. We’re focused on tackling traffic, streamlining parking, renovating restrooms and making infrastructure improvements that people can feel. Our 1,300 City of Houston employees are committed to delivering a world-class experience every day.”

Since 2016, the Skytrax audit has offered an independent global benchmark, helping Houston Airports assess nearly every aspect of the passenger journey. Auditors evaluate more than 30 categories—from signage and security to restrooms and accessibility—providing data-driven insights that guide improvement, maximize resources and efficiently improve the positive impact for travelers.

At Hobby Airport, Skytrax noted the $470 million West Concourse expansion, eight new CT scanners at TSA checkpoints and significant enhancements to airport dining with new local favorites like Velvet Taco, The Rustic and Throughgood Bistro.

At Bush Airport, improvements include a $30 million restroom renovation and a 99% reduction in traffic congestion in December 2024 compared to the prior year.

These efforts reflect the City of Houston’s goal to provide improved, user-friendly public services and elevate Houston’s global reputation.

Passenger-first improvements in 2024 include:

• Traffic flow: New curb zones, active loading and staffing changes at IAH reduced peak delays by up to 99%.
• Restrooms: A $30 million renovation brings brighter lighting, modern fixtures, greater accessibility and expanded family restrooms.
• Parking: A redesigned website allows travelers to reserve parking in two clicks and see real-time garage availability. New license plate recognition speeds up entry and exit.
• Accessibility: The ADA pickup zones were expanded, and staff received new training to assist travelers with mobility and hidden disabilities. IAH now features two sensory rooms.
• Technology: Wi-Fi 6 is now live at both airports, and interactive kiosks with real-time sentiment tracking are debuting at IAH.
• Terminal upgrades: New facilities like the new IAH International Terminal and the HOU West Concourse expansion support increased capacity with more modern amenities.
• Sustainability: A Houston Airports fleet of 25 electric trucks, more EV charging stations for passengers and full LED lighting retrofits on runways and taxiways reduce emissions and energy use.

While the Skytrax accolades are a point of pride, Szczesniak says the true benchmark of success is whether travelers feel the difference—at the curb, in the restroom and at the gate.

Other notable wins at the 2025 World Airport Awards:

World’s Top 100 Airports

• HOU ranks 27th
• IAH ranks 33th

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Top 10 Best Regional Airports in the World

• HOU ranks 4th

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Top 10 Best Regional Airports in North America

• HOU ranks 2nd

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Top 10 Best Airports in North America

• HOU ranks 3rd
• IAH ranks 4th

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Top 10 Best Airports in the World (40 to 50 million passengers served)

• IAH ranks 3rd

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Top 10 Best Airports in the World (10 to 20 million passengers served)

• HOU ranks 3rd

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Top 10 World's Cleanest Airports (up to 25 million passengers served)

• HOU ranks 9 out of 10

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Top 10 Best Airport Staff in North America

• HOU ranks 7th

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Top 10 World's Best Airport Dining Experience

• IAH ranks 6th

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THE 2025 WORLD AIRPORT AWARDS The World Airport Awards are the most prestigious accolades for the airport industry, voted by customers in the largest annual global airport customer satisfaction survey. The awards are recognized as the quality benchmark for the world airport industry, assessing customer service and facilities across over 565 airports. The survey and awards are independent of any airport control or input. The 2025 Awards are based on the World Airport Survey questionnaires completed by over 100 nationalities of airport customers during the survey period from August 2024 to February 2025. The survey evaluates the customer experience across all front-line areas of airport service and facilities, from check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, and security/immigration through to departure at the gate.