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    Up in the air

    The United argument: Southwest international flights at Hobby will hurt Houston,benefit Dallas and Atlanta

    Clifford Pugh
    Whitney Radley
    May 17, 2012 | 12:32 pm
    • Gordon Bethune contends that United will have to curtail connecting flights intoHouston if a second international airport is established at Hobby Airport.
    • United officials contend that Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport will be abig beneficiary if Houston is split into two international airports.
      Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt
    • "We compete against (Southwest Airlines) every day to LA and San Francisco. Wedo fine," says Bethune, the former CEO of Continental Airlines, which has mergedwith United.
      Photo by Charles Dharapak/AP
    • Gordon Bethune
      Courtesy Photo

    Like a feuding couple, the new United Airlines and Houston are in a rocky relationship. Picking Chicago over Houston for the combined airline's headquarters left a lot of hurt feelings and a loss of jobs here (although United officials say the 17,000 employees in Houston now rival pre-merger levels). Tales of woe about lost baggage and inferior service are common. The general feeling in Houston is things were a lot better when Continental was its own airline.

    So when Southwest Airlines asked for city approval to create an international terminal at Hobby Airport, it seemed like a great way to stick it to United. Even United officials concede they are losing the public relations battle in getting their message out. The Houston City Council is expected to make a decision late this month or in early June.

     

      "It's not about United versus Southwest. That's what they're trying to make it," said Bethune, who has always had a reputation for bluntly speaking his mind. "It's Houston versus Dallas and Atlanta." 

    But Gordon Bethune, the legendary executive who ran Continental from 1994 until his retirement in 2004 and who is credited for turning its fortunes around, believes that basing such an important decision on hurt feelings rather than what makes sense for Houston's long-term growth will severely damage the city's status as a transportation center, curtail flights and could eventually relegate Houston to second-tier status in the air wars.

    "Why would you want to shoot yourself in the foot because you're pissed off about a lost bag?" he said.

    Bethune, Nene Foxhall, United executive vice-president of government and corporate affairs, and lobbyist Bill Miller sat down with CultureMap to give the airline's perspective on the fight. They question Southwest's job estimates and projected air fares, the economic impact of flights to Mexico out of Hobby and the financing of an international terminal.

    But the argument they emphasize most vehemently is that splitting Houston into two international airports will give a huge competitive advantage to Dallas and Atlanta, which just opened a $1.4 billion international terminal.

    "It's not about United versus Southwest. That's what they're trying to make it," said Bethune, who has always had a reputation for bluntly speaking his mind. "It's Houston versus Dallas and Atlanta."

     The case for connectivity

    Neither Dallas nor Atlanta has a competing airport offering international service. In fact, the United team points out, Southwest agreed not to offer international service from Love Field in Dallas, thus leaving all international traffic to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

    "It's not us and Southwest. We compete against them every day to LA and San Francisco. We do fine," Bethune said. "If we were worried about Southwest for competition, we would have been out of business a long time ago."

    United representatives claim that the decreased cost of air fare across the board, perhaps Southwest's biggest selling point in its campaign for international flights out of Hobby, is a myth based on long-ago oil prices.

    Bethune believes that splitting the international travel market between two Houston airports will spur air carriers like Qatar Airways, Qantas, Gulf Air and ANA(All Nippon Airways) to bypass Houston in favor of Dallas or Atlanta when looking to expand service and will eventually lead to fewer national and international flight options out of Houston.

     

      "Why would you make yourself two San Antonio's out of one Houston?"  

    "Here's why," he said. "You're going to fly to Houston nonstop — and maybe only 20 percent of the people are going to Houston — so we have a lot of connects because we want San Antonio customers, we want Leon (Mexico) customers, we want San Francisco customers.

    "But instead of four flights a day to Acapulco, we go down to two and (Southwest) has two. So the Qatar flight lands just after your flight (to Acapulco) took off and you've got to wait five or six hours. So you don't get on the Qatar flight to Houston, you get on somebody else's flight that has a better connection.

    "The multiple cities connectivity of Houston, that's like bait on a hook for a fish. Why would you make yourself two San Antonios out of one Houston? San Antonio, Austin, New Orleans would give anything to have the air service Houston has."

    Bethune adds that one of the last things he did before retiring from Continental in 2004 was order the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. "It's late but it's coming this year. Who's going to get it? You are, right now," he said, pointing out that the plane will fly nonstop to New Zealand, making Houston the only city in the nation to offer such service.

    Bethune said that Houston was chosen because the plane "was born here" and because United is run by former Continental CEO Jeff Smisek, who has kept his home in Houston and commutes to Chicago. But the bottom line toward profitability is having connecting flights from other cities to feed into the nonstop flight.

    "There's not 15 people in Houston who want to go to Auckland everyday. But those connections and that airplane enables you. Why would you give that up?

    "You know what they're going to do in Atlanta if you sign this deal? High five because you have just diluted your attraction to Gulf Air, ANA, Qantas, any of the big guys. (Houston) won't have the allure because it won't have the connectivity."

     Dueling international flights

    Critics of the United argument point out that Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Oakland and San Francisco, and Newark and JFK have dueling international flights in the same geographic area, but Bethune said the airports are run by competing government entities.

    "You think Oakland gives a shit about San Francisco? I think you're turning Houston against ourselves. I'm OK with turning it against Atlanta and anywhere else, but no other city does it this way. And you know why? Because it's stupid."

    Why does Bethune feel so strongly about the issue, since he is no longer affiliated with the airline and is a minimal shareholder?

    "Sweat equity I'd guess you'd say," he said, noting all the hard work he put into building a first-class airline. "And I hate to see it destroyed by a bunch of guys from Dallas. And a bunch of uninformed people."

     

      "It won't be day or night right away. You just won't grow as fast and you'll start slowing down. And other guys will pick up a little faster. And the next thing, instead of being at the top tier, you'll be in the second tier."

    Realistically, what will happen in Houston aviation if Dallas-based Southwest gets the go-ahead for international service out of Hobby?

    "It's like getting old. You just feel worse every day," said Bethune, who turned 70 last year. "It won't be day or night right away. You just won't grow as fast and you'll start slowing down. And other guys will pick up a little faster. And the next thing, instead of being at the top tier, you'll be in the second tier.

    "That might take 10 years, but you certainly won't be competitive with Dallas or Atlanta."

    And as for the new United?

    "I would have done this (merger) myself," Bethune said. "Houston will so benefit from this United merger. It will just knock the socks off. It's not check; it's checkmate.You've got a worldwide network, one air carrier and the main focus is right here. You've got a lot of agendas between the unions and who's going to represent whom. There's a lot of friction, because we haven't (fully) merged. Things aren't smooth, but that will all settle down.

    "A lot of employees feel badly. But I remind them that in 1994 they would rip the damn name tags off because Continental was such a shit place to work. Well, who made it a good place to work? They made it a good place. The answer is this can be the best airline in the world. The same guys who helped me make it are running this one.

    "You've got a little stutter step going now because it's a little tough, you've got a different culture, but the people who made Continental a good name are still out here. There's nothing wrong with them just because it says United on the name."

     Editor's note: We have contacted Southwest Airlines to present its best case on why it should be allowed to operate international flights out of Hobby Airport. If you have questions for either side of the issue, email them to clifford@culturemap.com

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    news/travel

    2025 world's best awards

    6 Houston hotels ranked with the best in the world by Travel + Leisure

    Amber Heckler
    Jul 8, 2025 | 2:30 pm
    The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
    Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
    The Houstonian is back on top as the best resort in Texas.

    Several renowned Houston hotels and resorts were just declared the best in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, according to the publication's annual World's Best Awards.

    The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa was honored as the No. 1 best resort in Texas, while the prestigious Post Oak Hotel ranked as the No. 7 best hotel in the nation. Among T+L's list of the 15 best hotels in Texas, four more distinguished Houston properties made the cut.

    Every year, Travel + Leisure surveys its readers to determine the ultimate travel experiences around the world, which include the top hotels, resorts, travel destinations, and more. The 2025 survey had more than 180,000 responses from T+L readers with over 657,000 votes across 8,700 accommodations, cruise lines, and other properties.

    The Houstonian Hotel reclaimed the top spot for 2025 after previously slipping into No. 4 in 2024. The publication celebrated this "serene sanctuary" for its numerous sports and fitness activities, plus its rejuvenating 26,500-square-foot spa, pool, and jacuzzi. The resort's location next to Memorial Park also provides guests with the feeling that they've escaped the hustle and bustle of the city.

     The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa “The staff treats you like you are a long-awaited family member," said a T+L reader.Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

    "Resort guests receive complimentary access to the fitness club, which has dedicated spaces for a myriad of sports, including nine tennis courts, a shaded jogging trail, an indoor track, and a lap pool," the report said. "On top of the unbeatable facilities and location, the Houstonian’s memorable hospitality had our voters eager for repeat visits."

    In a press release, general manager Steve Fronterhouse said the entire Houstonian team was honored to receive the worldwide recognition.

    "To be named the best resort in Texas by the discerning readers of Travel + Leisure is not just a reflection of our 27 acres and amenities; it’s recognition of the Southern hospitality and warmth our staff delivers every day," he said. "We are grateful to all of our guests who continue to make The Houstonian their home away from home.”

    The full list of best Texas resorts, in order, are:

    • The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston
    • Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, Frisco
    • JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
    • Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin
    • Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine
    Best hotels in the U.S.
    In addition to being ranked among the top 10 best hotels in the U.S., The Post Oak Hotel was also hailed as the No. 1 best hotel in Houston. The hotel succeeds at providing guests with a flawless level of service and accommodations, while its on-site restaurants and bars add to the overall opulence of the property's amenities.

    "And naturally, there's a world-class spa on site and a Rolls‑Royce showroom in case you need to pick up a new ride," the report said.

     The Post Oak Hotel Stay in style at The Post Oak Hotel.  Photo courtesy of The Post Oak Hotel  

    A T+L reader said The Spa at The Post Oak Hotel is "a destination in itself" and noted that guests could still have a memorable experience in Houston even if they never step foot off the 700,000-square-foot premises. But if guests did choose to explore everything the city has to offer, the hotel provides an over-the-top travel method.

    "There is a rooftop helipad so that you don't even have to sit in Houston traffic if you don't want to," the reader said.

    The full list of Houston winning hotels, in order, are:

    • No. 1 – The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
    • No. 2 – Hotel ZaZa
    • No. 3 – Four Seasons Hotel Houston
    • No. 4 – JW Marriott Houston Downtown
    • No. 5 – Hilton Americas-Housto

    Other Texas awards
    San Antonio's Hotel Emma and Fort Worth's Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection were the only two other Texas properties to earn acclaim in T+L's list of the "15 Best City Hotels in the U.S."

    San Antonio was also deemed one of the best U.S. travel destinations in 2025, ranking 12th out of 15 total cities.

    In a release, Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqui Gifford said the 2025 World's Best Awards "reflect a travel landscape in motion."

    "From a high-desert city in the American Southwest to a quiet Greek island, our readers are seeking depth, character, and a strong sense of place," Gifford said. "We're thrilled to honor the hotels, destinations, and travel companies that are delivering those transformative experiences."

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