Flight Delayed or Cancelled at Houston Hobby (HOU)?
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is Houston's close-in airport, about seven miles southeast of downtown. Southwest is by far its largest airline, with domestic flights and international service to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. If your Hobby flight is late or cancelled, here's what applies and what to do.
Who you're probably flying
Most HOU flights are Southwest. A few other airlines also serve Hobby. Your rights depend on the airline that sold or operates your ticket, so check your confirmation. For Southwest specifics, including its delay voucher, see our Southwest flight delay guide.
Common causes of delays at Hobby
- Thunderstorms, especially on summer afternoons
- Tropical storms and hurricanes during the Atlantic season (June 1 to November 30)
- Fog on some mornings
- Knock-on delays from earlier flights, since aircraft often fly several legs a day
Weather and air traffic control are generally treated as outside the airline's control. Crew and many maintenance issues generally are within it.
Southwest's commitments for controllable disruptions
On the DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard, for delays and cancellations within its control, Southwest commits to rebooking on Southwest at no extra cost, a meal or meal voucher for waits of 3+ hours, and a hotel plus ground transportation for overnight disruptions. Southwest does not commit to rebooking you on another airline.
Southwest's Customer Service Plan also describes a travel voucher for qualifying controllable delays when you arrive 3+ hours late, requested through Southwest's delay form. Our Southwest guide explains the conditions. Weather delays don't qualify.
The DOT refund rule
Every flight out of HOU is covered by the DOT refund rule (14 CFR Part 260). If your flight is cancelled or significantly changed (for domestic trips, departing 3+ hours earlier or arriving 3+ hours later than scheduled; 6+ hours for international), and you decline the new flight and any voucher or credit, the airline must refund the fare, taxes, and unused paid extras to your original payment method. This applies to cancellations for any reason, including weather.
Refunds are due within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment types. Flying the new itinerary or accepting a credit generally ends the refund right for that ticket.
Flying internationally from Hobby
International flights from HOU are still covered by the DOT refund rule, with the 6-hour threshold for significant changes. EU261 doesn't apply to these routes, since they don't touch the EU.
What to do at Hobby
- Check the Southwest app for rebooking options before joining the line.
- Screenshot the delay or cancellation notice and the reason given.
- Write down scheduled vs. actual arrival time at your final destination.
- Decide: refund or rebook before you accept anything.
- Ask for a meal voucher at the 3-hour mark and a hotel if you're stuck overnight for a controllable reason.
- Keep receipts, then follow up in writing with a clear timeline.
Related guides: Flight cancelled, Missed connection, Weather delays, Houston IAH. Not sure where to start? Check your flight.
FAQ
My Southwest flight from Hobby was cancelled. Do I have to take a credit? No. Under the DOT rule you can decline the rebooking and any credit and request a refund to your original payment method.
Does Southwest give a voucher for weather delays? No. Southwest's plan covers disruptions within its control. Weather and air traffic control generally don't qualify.
Will Southwest put me on another airline? Southwest doesn't commit to rebooking on other airlines on the DOT dashboard. It commits to rebooking on Southwest at no extra cost for controllable disruptions.
Where do I complain if I don't hear back? You can file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation.
Create your letter
Delay Draft writes a clear, professional letter you send to your airline yourself. Delay Draft is not a law firm and does not file claims.