Houston's historic military and general aviation airport.
Opened
1917
Location
Houston, United States
Ellington Airport is a public airport located approximately 15 miles southeast of downtown Houston, Texas. Originally established as a military training field during World War I, it has served various military and civilian purposes throughout its long history.
Today, Ellington is jointly operated by the City of Houston and functions as a base for the Texas Air National Guard, NASA's aircraft operations, and general aviation. It is home to the 147th Attack Wing of the Texas Air National Guard and supports NASA Johnson Space Center flight operations.
The airport has been designated as a spaceport by the FAA and is part of Houston's long-term plans to develop commercial space launch activities. It handles no scheduled commercial airline service but supports military, government, corporate, and charter operations.
Terminals
Ellington Airport has no commercial passenger terminal; it features facilities oriented toward military, general aviation, and government users.
Getting to & from
Ground access is primarily by private vehicle or rental car, as the airport lacks direct public transit connections to central Houston.
Airlines here
No commercial airlines operate scheduled service at Ellington Airport; it primarily serves military, NASA, and general aviation operators.
Notable facts
- ›Established in 1917 as Ellington Field, a World War I Army Air Corps training base.
- ›Home to the 147th Attack Wing of the Texas Air National Guard, which operates MQ-9 Reaper drones.
- ›NASA's Johnson Space Center uses Ellington for astronaut training flights and aircraft operations.
- ›The FAA designated Ellington as a licensed spaceport in 2015.
- ›The airport is named after Lt. Eric Lamar Ellington, an early military aviator killed in a 1913 crash.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.