HOUSTON – Hobby Airport opens a new international concourse in less than a month and officials gave KHOU 11 News an exclusive look inside.
Signs at the Southwest Airlines' check-in counter suggest international flights are coming soon.
However, behind construction barriers, smells of paint and varnish have construction workers in hard hats anxious to show off their work.
"We're excited," said Denise McElroy of Southwest Airlines. "We're very excited. We were very excited to open the ticket hall (September 1st). Now, we're very excited for this as well."
Southwest Airlines gave KHOU 11 News a tour. It is the first concourse the airlines has helped design and build, according to McElroy.
The concourse boasts more restaurants, more seats and more convenience than Hobby passengers are used to enjoying.
"Every other seat (at the gate) has an electrical connection so that you can charge your phones or your iPad," McElroy said. "Then, we have cup holders on every other seat as well."
Southwest Airlines will operate four of the new five gates. For now, flights will carry passengers to Latin America and they will also serve people flying to Dallas and other U.S cities.
Customs and border patrol has its own floor and baggage claim located directly below Hobby's new concourse. There passengers can use automated passport machines on their way out to a three-story reception area.
The only work remaining in the new concourse is to finish the airport's new restaurants, bars and shops, which include Pappasito's Cantina and Chick-Fil-A.
Travelers take off from the new gates in less than a month and we're told a new 3,000 space parking garage will be partially open by Thanksgiving.
