Flying high

This Texas airport is the best in the U.S., according to the TSA

George Bush Intercontinental Terminal IAH

This is the second consecutive year the airport has won the award.

Photo courtesy of Houston Airport System

While this has been a harrowing and surreal year for the airline industry due to the global pandemic, there are still accolades to be handed out for travel entities that worked hard and performed well. A big round of applause goes to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which has been named named 2020 Airport of the Year by the Transportation Security Administration.

IAH was the only Texas airport to be honored by the TSA in 2020, and it's the second consecutive year that it has won the title. The award recognizes the best of TSA with outstanding team achievements in key operations and mission support functions, according to a press release.

To be selected as top in the U.S., the airport must show measurable improvements, superior performance, notable innovation, and significant operational improvements in support of TSA’s mission, per the TSA. Awardees, per the TSA, demonstrate “a clear commitment to improving workforce engagement and morale.” (Something we all look for during airport screenings.)

“The TSA team in Houston consists of more than 1100 employees from frontline TSA officers to inspectors, canine handlers, explosives experts, managers, program analysts and a host of others who work together every single day of the year to ensure that we protect the traveling public to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce,” said Juan Sanchez, TSA’s Federal Security Director for IAH, in a statement. “Our team comprised of TSA officers and others demonstrate their commitment daily through their hard work, professionalism and commitment.”

IAH boasts some 20,000 employees and more than 800 federal, state, and local stakeholder groups that work in conjunction with the airport and the Houston Police Department. The airport was also lauded for maintaining its “operational tempo” during COVID.

awards transportation

hottest headlines of 2024

Hill Country escapes beckon in Austin's top 10 travel stories of 2024

Photo by Jeff Jones

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Editor's note: As 2024 comes to a close, we're looking back at the stories that defined Austin this year, and that includes travel — in and out of the Texas capital. Austinites were most interested in escaping to the Hill Country and exploring San Antonio. To fuel your wanderlust, here are the top 10 travel headlines of 2024.

1. Texas has 2 of the country's top 10 state parks, says new list. Palo Duro Canyon State Park came out as the No. 2 best state park in the country. Travelers who don't want to make a drive to the Texas Panhandle can head to the Hill Country to visit Garner State Park, which landed at No. 9.

2. San Antonio rodeo rounds up Jon Pardi and Pesado for 2025 lineup. Austinites have a few key reasons to travel to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo each year, such as seeing big music stars like Nelly, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Turnpike Troubadours, and more.

3. New downtown San Antonio hotel debuts with 4 bar and dining concepts. Overnight visitors to Alamo City may remember the Wyndham San Antonio River Walk, but things are looking very different now. After a transformation that has been in the works for at least three years, the InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel opened for visitors in August.

A rooftop pool 21 stories up completes the new InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel. Photo courtesy of InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel

4. Texas predicted to be No. 1 destination tourists will hit for the eclipse. Great American Eclipse predicted Texas would see over a million tourists during April's solar spectacle — the highest number out of the 48 continental states.

5. Hill Country resort inflates its 10th annual hot air balloon festival. The annual Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay Resort includes more than balloons, with live music, tastings, and more.

6. Self-flying air taxis to take flight at airports in major Texas city. Keep an eye on the sky in 2025 — maybe you'll spot one of the new electric and autonomous air taxis expected to take flight in Houston.

7. New Hill Country treehouse resort tops Texas travel ideas for October. Our October monthly roundup of travel tips highlighted the recently opened Onera resort in Wimberley, which features 28 treehouses and "earth home-style units" with panoramic views of the Hill Country.

8. Stunning Hill Country resort lodge gets a chic update. TheAntlers Lodge at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio got a major makeover that also included a new chef and updated menu.

9. 15 best eclipse watch parties and events across Central Texas on April 8. Central Texas and the Hill Country were the hottest destinations for eclipse-watchers, and we compiled the ultimate list of viewing parties and events for the occasion.

10. Buzzy Hill Country hotel featuring VIP Austin chef sets opening date. Located right on the main street of charming Fredericksburg, the Albert Hotel is officially accepting reservations as of January 3, 2025.