SF Bay Area, CA Part 2: SFO (Full)

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Entry posted by thecitiescenter · August 4, 2014

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San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

SFO is located on the Peninsula along the San Francisco Bay, 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco. It is the second largest airport in the state of California in terms of passengers served, the 7th busiest airport in the United States, and the 22nd busiest airport in the world - serving approximately 45 million passengers annually and featuring 104 passenger gates.

SFO is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco, although it is technically surrounded by San Mateo County. SFO is a hub for United Airlines and Virgin America, and also serves as Virgin America's base of operations. SFO has 4 runways, Runways 1L/19R, 1R/19L, 10R/28L and 10L/28R.

There are four passenger terminals: Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and the International Terminal. The International Terminal has two boarding areas: I-A and I-G. All terminals are physically connected, though secured connections (e.g. connections requiring passengers to go through only one security checkpoint are limited to certain terminals).

Freeway access to the airport is provided by a series of ramps connecting the airport terminals with the US-101 freeway, which is located on the western boundary of the airport property. The airport is also served by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The BART SFO Airport station is located adjacent to the International Terminal. An automated people mover system called the "Air Shuttle" connects all three domestic terminals, the international terminal, all short term parking garages and the Rental Car Center, which is located about a half mile north of the airport.

SFO also features various cargo facilities, as well as major maintenance facilities for United Airlines and Virgin America.

Terminal 1 (T1)

Terminal 1 (T1) is located on the south side of the airport property and houses the B and C Gates. T1 is the oldest passenger terminal at SFO, and is scheduled for renovation soon. All flights using T1 are domestic flights. As such, passengers arriving into T1 can proceed directly to baggage claim, or transfer directly to other domestic flights departing from T1. Passengers transferring to domestic flights departing from Terminal 2 (T2) and Terminal 3 (T3) will need to go through security again at the departure terminal. Passengers arriving into T1 and transferring to international flights must also go through security again.

The T1 B Gates are currently used by Alaska Airlines, Jetblue, Southwest Airlines, US Airways and United Express.

The T1 B Gate area features multiple passenger service facilities, such as restrooms, nurseries and an animal relief area. T1 also has its own baggage claim facility and ground transportation connections serving both the B and C Gates, located on Level 1. In addition, there are restaurants, cafes, newsstands and a sports bar/grille located in this area of the airport.

The T1 C Gates are currently used by Delta Airlines. The T1 C Gates area features multiple passenger service facilities, such as restrooms, nursery, charging station, interpreting services, and a lost & found. T1 also has its own baggage claim facility and ground transportation connections serving both the B and C Gates, located on Level 1. In addition, there are restaurants, cafes, newsstands, a sports bar/grille and the Delta Airlines SkyClub located in this area of the airport.

Terminal 2 (T2)

Terminal 2 (T2) is located on the east side of the airport and houses the airport's D Gates. T2 was formerly known as the "Central Terminal" and served as SFO's main terminal building from 1954 to 1983. In 1983, the building was renovated and from 1983 to 2000, it served as the airport's International Terminal. In 2000, the new International Terminal at SFO was opened to the public and T2 again underwent extensive renovations. The renovations were completed in 2011, and T2 is currently served by American Airlines and Virgin America, the latter of which is based out of San Francisco.

T2 is a very modern facility and features many passenger service facilities, such as restrooms, nurseries, kids play areas, and a yoga room. In addition, there are many restaurants and shops located in this section of the airport. The concourses and boarding areas in T2 are very wide, allowing easy pedestrian flow throughout the terminal.

Passengers arriving into T2 can proceed directly to baggage claim and ground transportation connections on Level 1 of T2 or connect directly to any other domestic flight departing from T2. Passengers connecting to domestic or international flights in other terminals can either walk (inside) or take the automated Air Shuttle (outside). Passengers connecting to flights in other terminals will have to go through security again at the departure terminal.

Terminal 3 (T3)

Terminal 3 (T3) is located on the north side of the airport and houses the airports E and F Gates. T3 is used exclusively by United Airlines and United Express for UA's domestic and Canada flights.

T3 has its own baggage claim facility as well as direct connections to ground transportation options. T3 also features a secure walkway to the International Terminal's Boarding Area G, allowing domestic passengers arriving into T3 to transfer directly to international flights departing from the International Terminal Boarding Area G without having to go through security again.

The T3 E Gates were recently renovated and opened to the public earlier this year. Below is a photo of the T3-E Gates. The T3-E Boarding Area is a very modern facility with wide walkways and many passenger service facilities, restaurants/cafes/bars and shops. T3-E also features one gate capable of serving wide-body aircraft, such as United's Boeing 787.

The T3 F Gates are a bit older, but still feature many facilities for passengers.

Also located in T3 is a United Airlines Red Carpet Club for first class/business class and frequent fliers with status on UA's loyalty program.

International Terminal

The International Terminal is located on the west side of the airport and has two concourses, each with its own boarding area and security checkpoints. The two boarding areas are known as I-A (located on the south side of the International Terminal) and I-G (located on the north side of the International Terminal). The International Terminal opened in 2000 and is a very modern facility.

All flights arriving from international origins use the International Terminal, with the exception of some flights from Canada, since passengers on Canada flights pre-clear US Customs & Immigration in Canada. However, Air Canada currently uses the I-G Boarding Area. Likewise, some domestic flights use the International Terminal, specifically Hawaii-bound flights on Hawaiian Airlines (I-A). Passengers arriving into the International Terminal from domestic, Canada or Ireland flights can proceed directly to baggage claim on Level 1 upon arrival in SFO, or transfer to other flights within their arrival boarding area. Passengers arriving into I-G from Canada or Ireland can also transfer directly to T3 without having to pass through security again. Passengers arriving into I-A and I-G and wishing to transfer to other flights (in T1 and T2) must go through security again at their departure terminal.

All other passengers must clear US Customs & Immigration upon arrival. The US Customs & Immigration facility is located on Level 1 of the International Terminal. Once arriving passengers have cleared US Customs & Immigration, they can either exit directly out to the International Arrivals Waiting Area on Level 1, or re-check their bags and go through security again to connect to domestic flights departing from any of SFO's other terminals.

The International Terminal has its own set of short term parking garages, one garage for I-A and another for I-G. Both garages are connected underground to each other.

The International Terminal also has multiple shops/restaurants and passenger service facilities, including duty free shops. There are also multiple airline lounges for first class, business class and frequent fliers with status. The International Terminal is also home to the San Francisco Airport Museum, which features exhibits that are open for anyone to visit and is also the closest airport terminal to the SFO Airport BART station.

International Terminal Boarding Area A is currently used by Air France, Alaska Airlines (arrivals from Mexico only), Asiana Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Emirates, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Philippine Airlines, Virgin America (arrivals from Mexico only) and Virgin Atlantic.

International Terminal Boarding Area G is currently used by Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways (ANA), EVA Air, Lufthansa, Swiss Air and United Airlines (international flights only).