attention, passengers

Houston airports set massive, all time passenger record in 2023

George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston

46.1 million total passengers traveled through Bush IAH last year.

Photo courtesy of Visit Houston

If those lines at the airport seemed even longer than normal this past year, there's good reason. Houston's two airports set an all-time record in 2023, Houston Airports just announced.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) combined saw a record 60.1 million passengers in last year, according to air service data. The last time the Houston Airports system set a passenger record was 2019, when the airport system welcomed 59.7 million passengers. The COVID pandemic shut the airports down in 2020.

In 2023, Houston Airports welcomed a whopping 6 million more passengers than it did in 2022, according to service data. Less dramatic but still impressive, the two airports welcomed nearly 370,000 more passengers than in 2019.

By the numbers in 2023, Houston Airports saw:

46.1 million total passengers at Bush.
14 million total passengers at Hobby.
47.6 million total domestic passengers at Bush and Hobby.
12.5 million total international passengers at Bush and Hobby.

Both airports also saw major growth in national travelers. Houston Aiprorts reports the following international market stats:

2.5 million passengers connected to Mexico, up 27 percent from 2019.
74,483 passengers connected to Australia/New Zealand, up 24 percent from 2019.
232,811 passengers connected to the Middle East, up 7 percent from 2019.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the record-setting passenger total at Houston Airports in 2023 and we thank each and every passenger for choosing our airports as part of their flight plans,” said Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports. “Houston Airports is committed to connecting the people, businesses, cultures and economies of the world to Houston, while serving as a 5-Star air service gateway to the region. As we continue to grow and enhance our airport’s infrastructure, we are committed to ensuring our passengers have the best possible experience from curb to gate. This accomplishment is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our team and the strong support from the community."

good news for singles

Texas romances as 3rd best state for singles in 2026 report

On a date, best states for singles, best places for dating

Photo by Good Faces on Unsplash

Texans are in the right place to find love.

Finding love in the Lone Star State is easier than almost anywhere else in the country, so says a new study.

Texas ranked as the third best state for singles in WalletHub's annual "Best and Worst States for Singles" report, which compared all 50 states based on their "dating economics" (cost of living metrics and date-related costs like average price for coffee or a haircut), dating opportunities (such as an "openness to relationships" score or the share of single adults), and a romance and fun ranking (calculated based on various entertainment venues and attractions per capita).

WalletHub said Texas is the fourth most "romantic and fun" state for singles, and it ranked No. 6 nationally for its ample dating opportunities. In the dating economics category, Texas came in 18th.

Additionally, Texas tied with California for the most movie theaters per capita, and it landed in a four-way tie with California, New York, and Florida for the highest number of restaurants per capita.

In Houston, several local restaurants are gearing up for a romantic Valentine's Day weekend with dinner and drink specials. Or singles can skip a traditional dinner and instead impress their date by taking them to a romantic Valentine's-themed event.

The report's author said Texas offers "endless opportunities" for singles to find love because of its diversity, dense population, and its numerous date venues. Texans are also much more open to relationships than residents in other states, the report found.

"People in the Lone Star State are less likely than people in most states to show signs of 'attachment avoidance,' or discomfort with intimacy, based on nationwide psychological surveys," the report said. "In other words, if you’re looking for commitment, Texas is a good place to search."

WalletHub also gave a small shout-out to Texas' booming economy and high employment growth rates, which show the state has "a robust job market and expanding opportunities for workers across a wide range of industries."

The top 10 best states for singles in 2026 are:

No. 1 – Florida
No. 2 – New York
No. 3 – Texas
No. 4 – California
No. 5 – Illinois
No. 6 – Wisconsin
No. 7 – Pennsylvania
No. 8 – Massachusetts
No. 9 – Ohio
No. 10 – Minnesota

texas wallethub reports dating valentine's day