All roads lead to Houston with the announcement from United Airlines on its plans for a $20 million expansion of its flight attendant training facility in Houston.

More than 26,000 flight attendants work for the airline, and all are required to complete six weeks of safety and service training in Houston. The new training facility will include about 50,000 square feet of new classrooms, training spaces, storage and, eventually, a commercial-sized swimming pool where flight attendants will practice using inflatable emergency rafts in the event of a water landing.

“This supports our future growth plans and is part of United’s ongoing commitment to provide our flight attendants with state-of-the-art safety and service training," John Slater, United’s senior vice president for inflight services, said in a statement. "It also reflects our ongoing commitment to our local customers and the city of Houston.”

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is United’s premier gateway to Latin America, serving more than 50 nonstop destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean. United is also one of Houston's largest employers, with more than 14,000 Houston-based employees. premier gateway to Latin America, serving 51 nonstop destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean. United is also one of Houston's largest employers, with more than 14,000 Houston-based employees.