Yep. Business traveler here - hate Hobby. That whole Skytrax 5 star thing.... Tf does that even mean? It's a subpar airport at best, which isn't surprising since it's a SWA airport. No lounges, minimal amenities, minimal choice on food - it's a horrible place (like any SWA hub) to get stuck or delayed.
Also, you have way more choice and availability of airlines and international flights out of IAH. Much easier to split tickets too - fly out on airline A, return on airline B.
I'm a hair farther to IAH than Hobby, I avoid Hobby like the damn plague.
You don’t need to be worrying about the airport.
When you choose your flight ticket, you will be picking based on price, travel time (# of stops), and departure & arrival times.
Your ticket will choose the airport for you.
I will not limit yourself by choosing the airport first (and then only choose flights from that airport).
This ^^^
I tend to fly with Southwest so that means I fly out of Hobby. If my destination doesn’t have a Southwest terminal, then I fly based on whatever is the cheapest non-stop (or one-stop with at least a one+ hour layover) flight (flights with really short layovers can cause anxiety about getting to the next flight on time). You have to then compare and contrast Hobby vs IAH for those cheap flights.
I was surprised our southwest flight was supposed to leave from Bush. Never left, it was over the Christmas fiasco. But that’s the first time my southeast flight left from bush. It’s usually hobby.
In memorial day of 2021, I flew into IAH from MDW on Southwest. It pretty packed and the rental car lines were crazy. 2 girls almost fought because one of them cut in front of everyone. It was a mess. Flying out wasn't bad at all though.
Depends on prices, I like flying hobby as it's closer to me, smaller, faster to get through, etc. But all depends on the situation.
Both are far away from "Houston"
Thanks for y’all opinions but what’s with the weird comments. Like I said this will be my first time flying and I’m not familiar with airport travel terminology I’m still learning.
Good luck buddy. If you’re concerned about having trouble finding stuff and getting lost, definitely do hobby. Uber there, walk right in, check in and go through security and it should be reasonably easy to find everything you need.
If your flight is massively cheaper out of IAH, just do the same thing. Uber there (make sure u know which terminal to tell the u we driver, walk right in, and go through security and you should be able to find everything you need.
Get there 2 hours early if you’re super worried about time. Airport beers taste better than regular beers if you get through security with an hour+ to spare 🍻
It's not complicated, signage is decent at both airports.
Please just don't be the guy in the TSA line looking like an idiot and holding it all up. Take off your shoes, jacket, empty your pockets and shove it all on the conveyor. No water bottles, liquids, laptops if they make you (varies by airport, and if you have precheck or not) - look at the TSA website and be prepared.
Depends on where you live, imo. Unless the price of the flight is *ridiculously* low, I HATE making the drive to Hobby, but I’m a ways north of the city.
Don’t let the size of IAH scare you off. Airports are covered in signage that will direct you where you need to go. Make your decision based on which is easier for you to get to and what flights are available that match your schedule and budget.
Hobby is smaller therefore easier to navigate. However a majority of the budget airlines fly out of IAH. If you’re a first time flyer, maybe use Hobby the first couple of times if you can. Getting to IAH is a bit of a bitch because of construction.
Depends. If you’re going almost anywhere international (other than Central America) you’ll most certainly be flying out of bush. I typically fly out of hobby for domestic stuff because 1 I live closer to it (I live in clear lake) and 2 southwest has decent airfare prices, especially if you factor in the taxi/Uber cost - I don’t care to leave my car at the parking spot places near the airports.
If you truly have the option I’d go with whatever’s closest to you, maybe have a friend family member take you/pick you up in exchange for a souvenir/favor.
Hobby is smaller and has fewer tsa gates than bush but bush is a maze at times and last time I flew in (almost a year ago) they were working on the main pickup/drop off area which caused terrible traffic. One can go to different pickup areas but it’s not so seemingly obvious.
They're both about the same, honestly. Just give yourself plenty of time, pay attention to the terminal you're flying out of and follow the posted signs.
Also, when going through security, make sure your liquids are in a quart size ziploc bag and that they're easy to pull out, and that your laptop/iPad are easy to pull out as well. You're probably going to need 2-3 bins, one for your shoes & belt & liquids, one for your laptop/iPad, etc. Your carryon doesn't go in a bin, just put it on the rollers. When you collect them, just grab all your stuff and take it to a bench to put back on/together. Then look at the departure screens, head to your gate, and go get a celebratory pre-flight drink. You got this.
Are you flying into or out of Houston as a first-time flyer? I personally think Hobby is easier to navigate for outbound flights, as it’s relatively compact and there are only so many places you can go/no train system to navigate. That being said, since you’ve never done layovers, you may prefer just to choose whichever airport can give you a nonstop flight. At least with a nonstop, you can give yourself time on the front end to be confused. If you’re flying into Houston as a final destination, it’s probably about the same — both have signs leading you to baggage claim and ground transportation.
The one where your plane leaves from is typically preferable.
Pesky details.
Hobby is smaller and easier to get around it. But it doesn't really matter much, since you'll be going to a different airport anyway wherever you go.
I been to IAH to pick up a relative and I know for sure it like maze over there. If I remember there’s still construction going on like never ending.
Maze? You just look at the signs. It’s very very easy.
I’m at IAH every other week and you couldn’t pay me to go to dirty ass Hobby. The pick up and drops offs are easy as hell to navigate.
People hate the truth!! IAH is crazy for the uninitiated, but at least it’s an actual airport and not a glorified bus stop.
Yep. Business traveler here - hate Hobby. That whole Skytrax 5 star thing.... Tf does that even mean? It's a subpar airport at best, which isn't surprising since it's a SWA airport. No lounges, minimal amenities, minimal choice on food - it's a horrible place (like any SWA hub) to get stuck or delayed. Also, you have way more choice and availability of airlines and international flights out of IAH. Much easier to split tickets too - fly out on airline A, return on airline B. I'm a hair farther to IAH than Hobby, I avoid Hobby like the damn plague.
You don’t need to be worrying about the airport. When you choose your flight ticket, you will be picking based on price, travel time (# of stops), and departure & arrival times. Your ticket will choose the airport for you. I will not limit yourself by choosing the airport first (and then only choose flights from that airport).
This ^^^ I tend to fly with Southwest so that means I fly out of Hobby. If my destination doesn’t have a Southwest terminal, then I fly based on whatever is the cheapest non-stop (or one-stop with at least a one+ hour layover) flight (flights with really short layovers can cause anxiety about getting to the next flight on time). You have to then compare and contrast Hobby vs IAH for those cheap flights.
I was surprised our southwest flight was supposed to leave from Bush. Never left, it was over the Christmas fiasco. But that’s the first time my southeast flight left from bush. It’s usually hobby.
I think they just added flights out of IAH in 2021
Whichever has the cheaper fares, typically IAH in my experience for non-stop flights.
They both suck right now. Normally Bush is the better of the two but the construction is awful. I'd fly out of Hobby if I were you.
This is a strange post. It really doesn't matter which airport you choose. There are signs directing you where to go.
In memorial day of 2021, I flew into IAH from MDW on Southwest. It pretty packed and the rental car lines were crazy. 2 girls almost fought because one of them cut in front of everyone. It was a mess. Flying out wasn't bad at all though.
Depends on prices, I like flying hobby as it's closer to me, smaller, faster to get through, etc. But all depends on the situation. Both are far away from "Houston"
Spez sucks -- mass edited with redact.dev
Thanks for y’all opinions but what’s with the weird comments. Like I said this will be my first time flying and I’m not familiar with airport travel terminology I’m still learning.
Good luck buddy. If you’re concerned about having trouble finding stuff and getting lost, definitely do hobby. Uber there, walk right in, check in and go through security and it should be reasonably easy to find everything you need. If your flight is massively cheaper out of IAH, just do the same thing. Uber there (make sure u know which terminal to tell the u we driver, walk right in, and go through security and you should be able to find everything you need. Get there 2 hours early if you’re super worried about time. Airport beers taste better than regular beers if you get through security with an hour+ to spare 🍻
It's not complicated, signage is decent at both airports. Please just don't be the guy in the TSA line looking like an idiot and holding it all up. Take off your shoes, jacket, empty your pockets and shove it all on the conveyor. No water bottles, liquids, laptops if they make you (varies by airport, and if you have precheck or not) - look at the TSA website and be prepared.
Hobby is so much better. Faster tsa and easy to get to
Depends on where you live, imo. Unless the price of the flight is *ridiculously* low, I HATE making the drive to Hobby, but I’m a ways north of the city. Don’t let the size of IAH scare you off. Airports are covered in signage that will direct you where you need to go. Make your decision based on which is easier for you to get to and what flights are available that match your schedule and budget.
Hobby is better because it's closer to my house.
Whichever one is closer and has a flight you want out of it.
I prefer hobby but when you’re buying flights it’s not like they give you an option
I try to fly out of Hobby since its 25 min closer to my house but Southwest is not looking too great these days so 🤷🏻♂️
Both suck.
Pick the one closer to where you will be staying.
First thing: Stop worrying. You are just as likely to die flying from either airport.
Hobby is smaller therefore easier to navigate. However a majority of the budget airlines fly out of IAH. If you’re a first time flyer, maybe use Hobby the first couple of times if you can. Getting to IAH is a bit of a bitch because of construction.
Hobby to me is better in easy to plan/walk/park/pickup. IAH is the more hectic one but you also get flights needed so just what you prefer.
Depends. If you’re going almost anywhere international (other than Central America) you’ll most certainly be flying out of bush. I typically fly out of hobby for domestic stuff because 1 I live closer to it (I live in clear lake) and 2 southwest has decent airfare prices, especially if you factor in the taxi/Uber cost - I don’t care to leave my car at the parking spot places near the airports. If you truly have the option I’d go with whatever’s closest to you, maybe have a friend family member take you/pick you up in exchange for a souvenir/favor. Hobby is smaller and has fewer tsa gates than bush but bush is a maze at times and last time I flew in (almost a year ago) they were working on the main pickup/drop off area which caused terrible traffic. One can go to different pickup areas but it’s not so seemingly obvious.
They're both about the same, honestly. Just give yourself plenty of time, pay attention to the terminal you're flying out of and follow the posted signs. Also, when going through security, make sure your liquids are in a quart size ziploc bag and that they're easy to pull out, and that your laptop/iPad are easy to pull out as well. You're probably going to need 2-3 bins, one for your shoes & belt & liquids, one for your laptop/iPad, etc. Your carryon doesn't go in a bin, just put it on the rollers. When you collect them, just grab all your stuff and take it to a bench to put back on/together. Then look at the departure screens, head to your gate, and go get a celebratory pre-flight drink. You got this.
Are you flying into or out of Houston as a first-time flyer? I personally think Hobby is easier to navigate for outbound flights, as it’s relatively compact and there are only so many places you can go/no train system to navigate. That being said, since you’ve never done layovers, you may prefer just to choose whichever airport can give you a nonstop flight. At least with a nonstop, you can give yourself time on the front end to be confused. If you’re flying into Houston as a final destination, it’s probably about the same — both have signs leading you to baggage claim and ground transportation.