Welcome toWilliam P. Hobby Airport

Houston’s culinary scene just scored another win—this time for Houston Airports.Less than six months after opening inside William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Throughgood Bistro & Bar has earned national recognition as one of North America's best new airport dining experiences.The quick-service concept, operated by Areas USA, was named Best New Food and Beverage (Quick-Service Concept) by Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) during the 2025 Excellence in Airport Concessions Awards. The announcement was made at the ACI-NA Business of Airports Conference in Arlington, Texas, on June 25.“I congratulate this year’s honorees for their dedication and collaboration, not only with national brands, but also with the local restaurants and retailers that make a meaningful impact in the communities they serve,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.Throughgood Bistro, which opened in February, is a Houston-grown concept offering paninis, salads and sandwiches. Its full bar showcases selections from local breweries and Texas distilleries. Guests order at the counter and can dine at the bar or one of several nearby tables. The location—in Hobby Airport's pre-security Ticketing Lobby—makes it accessible to travelers and the public.The airport debut builds on the reputation of the original Throughgood Coffee and Bistro, a now-closed Houston Heights café founded by Pastor Rudy Rasmus of St. John’s United Methodist Church. A portion of proceeds from all airport purchases support the Bread of Life Foundation, a nonprofit Rasmus co-founded to combat homelessness in Houston.“This isn’t just about serving good meals quickly in an airport,” said Francisco Cuellar, chief commercial officer for Houston Airports. “It’s about proving that concepts that reflect the values of the city we serve can also thrive on a national stage.”The win marks another milestone for Houston Airports and its evolving concessions strategy, which is gaining national recognition. By prioritizing local representation, raising the bar for quality and developing a stronger sense of place, the airport system is reimagining what airport dining can be.In April, Velvet Taco, a Houston-born favorite, was named Best Quick-Serve Restaurant Concept at the Airport Experience Awards. That honor came just one year after the restaurant opened its first airport location at Hobby, through a partnership with LaTrelle’s Management Corporation. It also marked a full decade since Velvet Taco debuted on Washington Avenue.More growth is ahead. Later this year, Houston Airports will launch four additional restaurants at Hobby: Killen’s Barbeque, Common Bond Bistro and Bakery, SpindleTap Brewery and Yard House. The openings mark the start of Phase 3 in the airport system’s multi-year effort to overhaul concessions at the 5-star Skytrax-rated airport. Each concept adds something distinct: Killen’s, a Michelin Guide-recognized barbecue institution; Common Bond, a cult-favorite bakery and brunch destination; SpindleTap, one of Houston’s highest-rated breweries; and Yard House, a national chain that will debut a Houston-focused design and feature the world’s largest draft beer selection.Earlier this year, Skytrax ranked George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) among the Top 10 Best Airport Dining Experiences in the World. “This latest recognition is a testament to our commitment to showcasing the best of Houston inside our airports,” said Libby Hurley, director of concessions for Houston Airports. “Throughgood is a celebration of what can happen when local culture, social impact and strong partnerships come together.”According to ACI-NA, the annual Excellence in Airport Concessions Awards “recognize airports, concessionaires, and industry business partners for their work in elevating the passenger experience for all travelers.”

There’s choreography, and then there’s coordination. What unfolded this past week at Houston’s airports was both—and more.As Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour descended on her hometown, Houston Airports pulled off a never-before-seen activation that transformed terminals into tributes. But this wasn’t just about sparkle and signage. It was about civic creativity, logistical prowess and a forward-looking strategy that hints at the future of major events in Houston, starting at the gate.At the center of the effort: Simone Wilson, Digital Experience Marketing Manager for Houston Airports and the visionary behind Cowboy Corner. The pop-up activation, live on Thursday, June 26, Friday, June 27 and Monday, June 30, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), combined Houston pride with high-touch design—interactive photo backdrops, vibrant digital displays and a curated traveler experience that nods to the star’s Southern roots and global influence.“This was about making travelers feel the magic of the moment,” said Wilson. “It’s Beyoncé’s homecoming, but it’s also Houston’s. We wanted to turn airport arrivals into a celebration that feels uniquely us.”The response was instant. Staff danced with passengers. Harmony in the Air musicians mixed Queen Bey covers with country hits. Therapy dogs wagged their tails beneath disco cowboy hats. Travelers—whether or not they had tickets to the sold-out show at NRG Stadium—snapped selfies with vibrant digital signage, many wearing custom sashes made just steps from TSA. The moment was everywhere: captured by superfans, shared on TikTok and Instagram and quickly picked up by local and national press.But Wilson says the effort was about more than honoring a hometown icon; it was also a dry run for what’s coming. “We don’t have a playbook yet for terminal takeovers at this scale,” Wilson said. “We know the World Cup will bring unprecedented traffic, expectations and opportunity. We needed to build a muscle for how we do something big and do it well. Beyoncé gave us a chance to flex.”RELATED | Houston Airports connects fans to every 2026 tournament host cityWilson rallied the Houston Airports Marketing team, HOU and IAH Terminal Operations, Communications and Maintenance and Facilities. Together, they pulled off a full-scale activation during one of the summer’s busiest travel windows.“This was proof of concept,” she added. “We can move fast. We can work cross-functionally. And we can bring art, culture and celebration into the terminal without disrupting operations. That’s everything we’ll need in 2026 and beyond.”Indeed, Houston is one of 16 cities hosting matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, and the world will soon descend on Bush and Hobby airports. But first came the BeyHive, treating Beyoncé’s only Texas tour stop like a pilgrimage. Reddit threads buzzed with anticipation. Fans posted flight itineraries and fashion previews. Some even called it “the real Renaissance.”For Houston Airports, it was more than a moment. It was a movement.“We didn’t just put up a backdrop,” said Wilson. “We delivered an experience. And we proved something important: when it comes to welcoming the world, Houston Airports is more than ready. We’re in formation.”RELATED | One terminal. One clock. One unforgettable kickoff to the 2026 World Cup

Houston is wide open this summer. With record passenger demand and an expanding menu of nonstop routes, travelers departing George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) have more options than ever, whether they’re chasing mountains, music or mezcal.Next year, the world will be coming to Houston. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will transform Houston into one of soccer’s global epicenters. Hotels will fill, flights will be booked and soccer fever will take over, making now the perfect time for Houstonians to explore other destinations before the world arrives at their front door.Beyond the usual: Belize City & San Pedro SulaFor travelers looking to break out of the Cancun-and-Cabo routine, Belize City (BZE) and San Pedro Sula (SAP) offer a lesser-known path into Central America’s culture, beaches and biodiversity. United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines serve these routes directly from Houston.Europe in the sun: Amsterdam, Frankfurt & MunichThere’s a sweet spot in European summer travel before the peak crowds arrive. KLM, Lufthansa and United offer nonstop access to Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC), connecting Houston to history, festivals and long daylight hours.The Canadian window: Banff season is shortCalgary (YYC) is the entry point to Banff National Park’s postcard-perfect scenery, but travelers have until late September before winter returns. United’s new service to Edmonton (YEG) offers even more ways to explore Alberta.Mexican markets expandVolaris is growing its footprint out of Houston with new options to Morelia (MLM) and San Luis Potosi (SLP), joining United Airlines’ established service. These central Mexico cities offer rich cultural experiences and expanding business ties.Closer to home, plenty of optionsFor domestic travelers, nonstop flights to Miami (MIA), Tampa (TPA), Pensacola (PNS), Portland (PDX) and Seattle (SEA) remain popular for sun, sand and seafood. San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) continues to draw travelers seeking Spanish-Caribbean culture without leaving U.S. borders.And yes, there are two PortlandsPortland, Maine (PWM) and Portland, Oregon (PDX) are both on the summer schedule, though only one sits near Seattle. Either way, travelers can pick their coast.Music, beaches and a little Southern charmAllegiant’s seasonal service to Gulf Shores, Alabama (GUF) and Southwest’s nonstop to Nashville (BNA) offer easy getaways for beachgoers and country music fans.The bottom line, with the world preparing to turn its attention to Houston in 2026, this summer gives locals the perfect window to explore new destinations before the global spotlight arrives.