EFD · medium airport

Ellington Airport

Houston, United States

Airports

EFDmedium airport

Ellington Airport

Houston, United States

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KEFD

ICAO

32 ft

Elevation

TravelerPulse profile

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.

Official website Wikipedia

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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Houston's storied airfield where military history meets modern aviation

Ellington Airport, located southeast of Houston, Texas, has a rich history dating back to World War I when it served as a U.S. Army Air Corps training base. Today it operates as a joint-use facility shared by the Texas Air National Guard, NASA's Johnson Space Center flight operations, and general aviation. It plays a specialized role in the Houston metro area's aviation ecosystem without serving scheduled commercial passenger service.

Terminals

General Aviation Terminal — A modest facility serving private, charter, and government aircraft operations with basic passenger amenities.

Ground Transport

Rental cars available through on-site and nearby agencies
Taxi and rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) accessible at the airport
Personal vehicle and private parking on site
Highway access via TX-3 and Beltway 8 for self-drive connections

Nearby Hotels

Courtyard by Marriott Houston NASA/Webster
Hampton Inn Houston/Clear Lake NASA Area
Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake
Holiday Inn Express Webster/Houston

Dining

On-site dining options at Ellington are extremely limited given its non-commercial status, with no major restaurant concessions inside the facility. Visitors and crew typically head to nearby Webster or Clear Lake City, where a wide variety of casual dining chains and local restaurants are available within a short drive. NASA area eateries cater well to travelers and aviation professionals passing through the region.

Traveller Tips

Ellington does not serve scheduled commercial flights — verify your departure airport if flying into Houston.
NASA Johnson Space Center is nearby and worth a visit if you have layover time in the area.
Security protocols can differ from commercial airports; confirm access requirements with your operator in advance.
Traffic on Beltway 8 can be heavy during rush hours — allow extra travel time when driving to or from the airport.

Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Encyclopaedia

Ellington Airport may refer to:Ellington Airport (Connecticut), an airport in Ellington, Connecticut, United States Ellington Airport (Tennessee), an airport in Lewisburg, Tennessee, United States Ellington Airport (Texas), an airport in Houston, Texas, United States

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