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Your Complete Guide to the West Concourse at Houston Hobby Airport
When you're clearing security at Houston Hobby and making the right turn toward the West Concourse, you're walking toward the airport's international gateway and, soon, toward a facility that'll more than double in size. The West Concourse expansion project began in April 2024 and runs through 2027, which means you'll deal with construction impacts for the next two years. But it also means you're watching one of the biggest terminal upgrades in Hobby's modern history take shape. The West Concourse today is a compact, five-gate terminal handling both international and domestic Southwest flights. After completion in second quarter 2027, it'll have seven additional gates and a dramatically improved baggage claim bathed in natural light.
What is the West Concourse at HOU Hobby Airport?
The West Concourse at Houston Hobby Airport is the smaller of the airport's two concourses, currently housing five gates numbered one through five. Southwest Airlines unveiled the current West Concourse in 2015, returning international flights to Hobby for the first time in 46 years. Since then, the West Concourse has served as the main hub for international flights, complete with Customs and Immigration facilities for processing international arrivals.
Southwest Airlines is the primary carrier at Hobby Airport, operating the vast majority of flights and carrying more than 90 percent of the traffic through 14 million passengers the airport served in 2023. Hobby is a base for Southwest's flight crews and is a gateway city for the airline's international service. Other airlines at Hobby Airport include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines, though most of those carriers use the Central Concourse.
The West Concourse is connected to the Central Concourse by a long corridor with moving walkways. The walk between concourses takes about five to seven minutes, and passengers can walk between the two concourses inside the secure area provided they're not arriving on an international flight. International arrivals go to the Federal Inspection Services area in the Main Terminal for passport and immigration control.
The $470 Million West Concourse Expansion: What's Changing
Houston Airports and Southwest Airlines are partnering on a $470 million expansion of the West Concourse, set to be completed in 2027. Construction began in April 2024 with Corgan serving as prime architect and interior designer, and Hensel Phelps serving as contractor for the expansion. Completion is expected in the second quarter of 2027.
The expansion will introduce seven new gates capable of handling domestic and international flights, more than doubling the number of existing gates in the West Concourse. Six of the new gates will be used exclusively by Southwest for domestic flights, while the seventh new gate will be available for use by other airlines at the discretion of the Houston Airport System. Construction crews reached a major milestone in December 2025 when Hensel Phelps set the final piece of steel into place during a topping-off ceremony. It's a visible marker that the skeletal structure is complete and interior buildout has begun.
Beyond gates, the project includes upgrades to the baggage handling system and two additional baggage carousels to make travel more efficient. The expansion will install the second-ever TSA checked baggage inspection system in the United States using a crossbelt sortation system, supplied by Leonardo. A refreshed baggage claim area will be bathed in natural light from clerestory windows, replacing the darker, enclosed feel of the current setup.
The project includes a sleek overhead canopy that links the Red Garage to the Departures Curb, with completion expected by June 2026. That's just in time for the FIFA World Cup matches in Houston. The canopy design draws on Houston's Space City heritage, with a starry-sky lighting pattern embedded into the canopy ceiling using computational design. All new baggage claim devices and the garage canopy will be completed by June 2026.
Getting to and Through the West Concourse
Travelers can access the West Concourse after clearing the central TSA checkpoint on Level 2 of the main terminal by turning right and following the corridor with moving walkways. The airport has one security checkpoint located in the main terminal that's open daily from 3:45 a.m. Security wait times at Hobby typically range from 10 to 45 minutes depending on time of day. Early morning (5-7 am) and late evening (8 pm onward) have the shortest waits at 10 to 15 minutes. Peak times (7 to 9 am and 3 to 6 pm) can see waits of 30-45 minutes or longer. For real-time patterns and PreCheck/CLEAR tips, see our HOU security wait times guide.
Houston Airports recommends arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international travel. During peak holiday travel days, Houston Airports recommends arriving three hours before your flight, even for domestic air travel. The walk from security to the farthest West Concourse gate currently takes about ten minutes total. But once the expansion opens, you'll want to account for an additional few minutes to reach the new gates.
Baggage Claim and Arrivals
Domestic baggage arrives in the Level 1 baggage area, where there are four baggage carousels. Southwest Airlines uses Carousels 1 and 2 and occasionally Carousel 3, while all other airlines use Carousels 3 and 4. International baggage arrives in the Federal Inspection Services area, where there are three baggage carousels. Arriving international passengers first go through Immigration, then collect checked baggage and go through Customs.
The Red Garage is located directly across from the terminal, and passengers can walk to the garage from Level 1 baggage claim. The Blue Garage is west of the Red Garage and is connected to the terminal via a pedestrian bridge accessible from Level 3. For a detailed breakdown of navigating the entire airport, including maps, ground transportation, and security tips, refer to the complete HOU Airport guide.
Dining and Amenities in the West Concourse
The West Concourse currently has a compact food court with Pei Wei and a new Chick-fil-A location, transforming what was once a single-outlet space into a food court with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. A new Starbucks completes the food court, giving early travelers caffeine before their flight. You'll find these options clustered near gate 3, the midpoint of the current concourse.
The West Concourse also has a children's play area near gate 4 to entertain young travelers during layovers or delays. See our guide to HOU with kids for more on family amenities. If you need more dining variety or retail options, the Central Concourse has a wider selection, and you can walk there in 5-7 minutes if you have time before boarding.
William P. Hobby Airport became the first 5-Star Airport in North America by Skytrax in 2022, a designation that reflects cleanliness, amenities, and overall passenger experience, factors you'll notice throughout your time in the terminal.
What to Expect During Construction (2024-2027)
Construction activity is visible throughout the West Concourse area and affects access to the terminal. Ongoing roadway construction along Airport Boulevard and Broadway may impact travel to and from Hobby Airport, taking place daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 2026. Starting in July 2025 and continuing through September 30, only one curbside lane at the departures level remained open overnight from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., Sunday through Friday, for canopy construction. Airport officials urge travelers to plan for potential delays and adjust their drop-off schedules accordingly.
Inside the terminal, expect construction barriers, rerouted walkways, and occasional noise, especially near the gate areas closest to the expansion zone. The five existing gates remain operational throughout the project, but you may notice equipment staging areas and temporary walls. By mid-2026, much of the exterior work, including the new garage canopy, will be complete, reducing some of the visual construction clutter around the arrivals and departures curbs.
If you're traveling during peak construction phases, add an extra 10 to 15 minutes to your arrival time. The construction won't affect your ability to reach your gate, but navigating around barriers and adjusting to lane closures can slow the approach to the terminal.
Planning Your Trip Through Houston Hobby Airport
Parking Options
Terminal parking in the Red and Blue Garages costs $24 per day, while valet parking in the Red Garage costs $28 per day. Off-site parking options like The Parking Spot are located within 1.2 miles of the airport with rates starting at $6.95 per day, offering 20-40% savings compared to on-airport parking. Off-site lots typically include free shuttles to the terminal, which drop you at the departures curb and eliminate the walk from the garages.
Prices are subject to change. Always verify current rates on the official website.
Seasonal and Peak Travel Considerations
Houston Hobby is located about 7 miles from downtown Houston, which means airport access can be affected by city traffic patterns. If you're departing during rush hour, especially 7 to 9 a.m. or 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, plan for an extra 15 to 20 minutes of drive time. Weekend mornings tend to move faster, but holiday travel spikes can overwhelm security even on off-peak days.
Southwest Airlines is an operating base for crews at Hobby, which means high frequency of flights and tight gate turnarounds. If you're connecting through the West Concourse on two Southwest flights, the walk is minimal. But if you're connecting between the West and Central Concourses, allow at least 20 minutes between landing and your next boarding time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What airlines operate from the West Concourse at Houston Hobby?
Southwest Airlines operates the vast majority of flights from the West Concourse, using all five current gates for both domestic and international service. After the expansion, Southwest will use eleven of the twelve total gates, with one gate available for use by other carriers at the Houston Airport System's discretion.
How many gates does the West Concourse have?
The West Concourse currently has five gates, numbered one through five. Once the expansion is complete in second quarter 2027, the concourse will have twelve gates total, seven new gates plus the existing five.
When will the West Concourse expansion be completed?
Completion is expected in the second quarter of 2027. Construction began in April 2024, with major milestones including the topping-off ceremony in December 2025 when the final steel beam was set. The garage canopy and new baggage claim devices will be finished by June 2026, ahead of the FIFA World Cup matches in Houston.
Does the West Concourse handle international flights?
Yes, the West Concourse serves as the main hub for international flights at Hobby. The concourse includes Customs and Immigration facilities for processing international arrivals. Southwest operates international flights to destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean from the West Concourse.
What restaurants are in the West Concourse?
The West Concourse has a compact food court with Pei Wei, Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks, all located near gate 3. The food court has vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. For additional dining variety, you can walk to the Central Concourse in five to seven minutes.
How do I get from baggage claim to the West Concourse?
Domestic passengers pick up baggage on Level 1, then go to the Level 2 departures area to clear the TSA checkpoint. After security, turn right and follow the corridor with moving walkways to reach the West Concourse. International arrivals clear Customs in the Federal Inspection Services area before entering the main terminal.
Is there construction happening at the West Concourse?
Yes, a $470 million expansion project is underway through second quarter 2027. You'll see construction barriers inside the terminal, as well as roadway construction along Airport Boulevard and Broadway through May 2026. Overnight curbside lane closures occurred from July through September 2025 for canopy work, and additional access impacts may continue through mid-2026.
What's included in the West Concourse expansion project?
The expansion includes seven new gates, two additional baggage carousels, a refreshed baggage claim area with natural light from clerestory windows, upgrades to the baggage handling system including the second-ever TSA crossbelt sortation system in the U.S., and a new overhead canopy linking the Red Garage to the departures curb with a Space City-inspired starry-sky lighting pattern.
How early should I arrive for a West Concourse flight?
Houston Airports recommends arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international travel. During peak holiday travel days, arrive three hours before your flight even for domestic departures. Security wait times range from 10 to 15 minutes during early morning and late evening, and 30-45 minutes or longer during peak times from 7 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.
Where is parking located near the West Concourse?
The Red Garage is located directly across from the terminal and accessible from Level 1 baggage claim, costing $24 per day. The Blue Garage is west of the Red Garage and connected via a Level 3 pedestrian bridge, also $24 per day. Off-site options like The Parking Spot are within 1.2 miles of the airport with rates starting at $6.95 per day and free shuttle service to the terminal.
Are there new baggage carousels being added?
Yes, the expansion includes two additional baggage carousels in the refreshed baggage claim area. The project also introduces the second-ever TSA checked baggage inspection system in the United States using a crossbelt sortation system, supplied by Leonardo, to improve efficiency and reduce wait times at baggage claim.
What makes the West Concourse different from other concourses?
The West Concourse is the only concourse at Hobby equipped with Customs and Immigration facilities, making it the main hub for international flights. It's also smaller and more compact than the Central Concourse, with shorter walking distances between gates. Once the expansion is complete, it'll be a modern, light-filled facility with twelve gates and significantly upgraded passenger amenities.