SFO Question
 

My mom is flying from YVR to TPE connecting in SFO. I'm pretty sure she'd go through the US customs stuff on the Vancouver side first, so a 2 hour connection should be okay right? I don't want my mom having to deal with customs, picking up her baggage and dropping them off again when she gets to SFO.

Can anyone clarify or confirm what the process would be?

I'd really appreciate it! ^

Yes, YVR has US customs & immigrations, so she'd pre-clear in Vancouver and arrive at SFO as if she were on a domestic flight.

But which airline is she booked on for each leg? It matters which terminal she lands in and departs from at SFO, as only a few terminals are connected air-side. The rest require reentering through security.

My guess is that YVR-SFO is United or Air Canada, and SFO-TPE is on Eva Air, which will all be airside within International-G. If by chance the YVR flight comes into Terminal 3, there is an airside bridge between T3 and I-G.

Worst case, the TPE flight is on China Airlines out of International-A. That would be a bit of a walk or AirTrain ride and re-clearing security in I-A. A two-hour cushion is more than adequate for that, unless the OP's mother has serious mobility limitations.

Sorry about the late reply, but thank you both for the information!

She's on AC, then Eva, so it sounds like she'd have a smooth connection no matter what.

Safe travels for your mother. Yes, this should be a very easy connection at SFO, all airside within the G section of the International Terminal. G is a very nice, modern terminal with lots of natural light, shops and dinning choices. If she wants to go for a bit of a walk, she can stay airside and go to next-door Terminal 3, which is also very nice. There's an airside hallway to T3 just to the left as you approach security in International-G.

I think AC currently uses both A and G gates. If there's an A gate arrival, it will require a short walk through the international terminal and then through G gate security.

I saw that, but lately the Vancouver flights have been arriving in G. I'm guessing that's deliberate, as much of the Vancouver passenger traffic is en route to Asia on a Star Alliance itinerary.

Like you say, though, it's no biggie if the OP's mom arrives in A and needs to walk across International to G.