Welcome toWilliam P. Hobby Airport

For most travelers, airports represent movement—transitions, connections and anticipation. But for passengers with autism or other sensory-processing differences, the airport experience can feel overwhelming. That’s why Houston Airports is working year-round to create spaces that prioritize calm, clarity and compassion.Inside George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), a quiet room is making a big impact. Just past security in Terminal A, the airport’s first-ever sensory room offers a peaceful, low-stimulation environment designed for neurodivergent travelers of all ages. Outfitted with tactile tools, soft lighting and comfortable seating, the space offers a safe moment of stillness before boarding. A second sensory room opened in Terminal D in 2024.Inclusion doesn’t stop there.In March, a group of students with autism traveling from Denver to London arrived at IAH for a layover. They were met by Houston Airports staff, guided to the sensory room—and surprised by Snickers, one of the airport system’s certified therapy dogs. The visit sparked smiles, laughter and a sense of calm when comfort mattered most. RELATED | This is how you turn a layover into a lifeline“Everything was so thoughtful,” said one teacher traveling with the group. “From the quiet space to the therapy dog visit—it felt like someone had planned this journey with our students in mind.”They had.All 1,300 Houston Airports employees have completed training through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program, an international initiative that helps staff recognize and assist travelers with non-visible disabilities. Passengers wearing the lanyard signal that they may need extra time, support—or simply patience. That awareness is now embedded across teams, from security checkpoints to concessions.Houston Airports leadership believes these efforts are about more than accommodation. They’re about dignity. About making sure every passenger feels seen, supported and welcome.Even therapy dogs like Snickers are part of the experience. Through regular visits, these four-legged ambassadors offer calm, joy and connection—reminding passengers they’re not alone, even in a crowded terminal.Autism Awareness Month is about more than symbolism. It’s about recognizing that autism exists on a broad spectrum—and that neurodiverse individuals experience the world and travel in different ways. By making air travel more inclusive, Houston Airports is helping remove barriers, reduce stress and make the journey better for everyone.LEARN MORE | Accessible travel at Bush AirportLEARN MORE | Accessible travel at Hobby Airport

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is moving into the next phase of its food and beverage transformation—and it’s bringing some of Houston’s most recognized names with it.Four new restaurants will open inside the airport later this year: Killen’s Barbeque, Common Bond Bistro and Bakery, Spindletap Brewery and Yard House. The announcement marks the start of Phase 3 in the airport system’s multi-year effort to overhaul concessions at the 5-star Skytrax-rated airport.Each new concept adds something different to the lineup. Killen’s is a Michelin Guide-recognized barbecue institution. Common Bond is a bakery and brunch spot known for its cult following. SpindleTap is one of Houston’s highest-rated breweries. Yard House brings a national footprint but will feature a Houston-centric design and the largest selection of draft beer in the world.“These restaurants are not just exciting additions—they’re strategic,” said Libby Hurley, director of concessions for Houston Airports. “They reflect a deliberate mix of national reach and Houston flavor, all designed to meet the expectations of modern travelers.”The update follows the completion of Phase 2, which brought new amenities to the airport’s pre-security ticketing lobby—an area previously cited for lack of options. Today, a full-service Starbucks offers mobile ordering for passengers and airport employees, while Throughgood Bistro delivers a broader impact. The Houston-based café donates a portion of proceeds to the Bread of Life Foundation, a nonprofit fighting homelessness in the city.“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” Hurley said. “Travelers appreciate the convenience. And more than that, they appreciate that our concessions reflect the values of the city we serve.”The airport also recently opened The Rustic near Gate 44. Founded by a Houston native, the restaurant is known for its farm-to-table menu, Gulf seafood and live music. The area surrounding Gates 44–47 now includes two local dining options—The Rustic and Velvet Taco—alongside Starbucks, retail, spa services and niche amenities such as Opticwash and H-Mart.Velvet Taco, which opened during Phase 1, was recognized this year as Best Quick-Serve Restaurant Concept (Medium/Small Airports) at the 2025 Airport Experience Awards.Pei Wei and a new Chick-fil-A location in the West Concourse transform what was once a single-outlet space into a compact food court with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free offerings. A new Starbucks completes the new food court.Landry’s Seafood House will join Dish Society, Pink’s Pizza, Jersey Mike’s and Wendy’s in Phase 4 next year. Hobby Airport’s concessions strategy continues to prioritize variety, speed, local engagement and brand-name power—all anchored in the airport’s broader mission to create a modern, user-friendly experience while celebrating a diverse portfolio of local dynamos.RELATED | Houston Airports launches new concessions loyalty rewards program

Velvet Taco, a Houston-born favorite, has firmly planted its roots in the city's vibrant food scene—and now, it's earning national recognition. The innovative taco concept operated by LaTrelle's Management Corporation inside William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) clinched the Best Quick-Serve Restaurant Concept award in the medium/small airport category at the 21st annual Airport Experience (AX) Conference on April 1 in Washington, D.C.From left to right: Houston Airports Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak with members of the James family, which owns and operates Latrelle's, and Houston Airports Director of Concessions Libby Hurley.The honor comes just a year after Velvet Taco opened its first airport location in partnership with LaTrelle's and a decade after the brand debuted on Houston's Washington Avenue with a bold idea: tacos don't have to follow the rules.Since then, Velvet Taco has become a beloved local fixture, known for its globally inspired flavors, made-from-scratch ingredients and funky, fast-casual vibe. Its presence in Hobby Airport is a natural extension of that success—and a testament to the city's appetite for local flavor in every terminal.ENROLL NOW | Houston Airports launches new concessions loyalty rewards programThe AX award win confirms that Velvet Taco is a quick-service concept that provides a high-quality, exceptional experience for travelers in a quick-turnaround format."This award puts a national spotlight on the transformation happening at Hobby Airport," said Libby Hurley, director of concessions for Houston Airports. "Together with LaTrelle's, Velvet Taco brings personality, flavor and serious culinary credibility to our lineup of airport dining options."Located near Gate 46, Velvet Taco opened in February 2024 as one of the first completed projects in a multi-phase, multi-year overhaul of Hobby Airport's food and beverage program. The restaurant pushes the edge of multicultural boundaries with a vegan and gluten-free menu, sizzling steak tacos and margaritas to-go.EXPLORE NOW | Retail and restaurant options at Hobby Airport"We're not just serving tacos. We're serving up a whole vibe," Hurley said. "Velvet Taco offers something for everyone—with flair and fast service."With travelers responding enthusiastically, a second airport location will open later this year in the newly expanded Terminal D at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).Velvet Taco's win also sets the stage for what's next: phase 3 of Hobby Airport's dining transformation is now in motion, with more celebrated local concepts—including SpindleTap Brewery, Common Bond and Killen's Barbecue—coming soon. Recently featured in Houston's first-ever Michelin Guide, Killen's earned a Bib Gourmand nod for delivering exceptional flavor at an approachable price."Houston Airports is committed to creating a world-class experience for travelers," said Hurley. "That includes a dining experience that reflects Houston's bold, diverse and unforgettable tastes."RELATED | Fuel up before you fly: New dining options arrive at Hobby AirportRELATED | Throughgood Bistro opens at Hobby AirportRELATED | The Rustic opens at HOU, bringing live music and Texas flavors to travelers