Dec 6, 2015, 9:23 am
Last edit by: Zorak
Official SFO terminal map
Check the official SFO airlines listing to see which concourse your airline generally arrives/departs from.
Gate numbers at SFO now include both the concourse letter and the gate number, starting over at 1 for each concourse. Prior to Oct 16, 2019 gates were simply numbered 1-102 starting from 1 in the A concourse through 102 in the G concourse.
SFO has 2 main airside zones:
1. International Terminal A, Gates A1-A15 and Terminal 1 (Harvey Milk), Concourse B, Gates B1-B27
[Note that there is a short airside corridor between the A and B Concourses. You can enter security from A and go to B gates, and vice versa. The AirTrain station at Terminal 1-B is temporarily closed as of 9-22-21.]
Airside Lounges in International-A:
2. Terminal 2, Concourses C and D, Terminal 3, Concourses E and F and International Terminal G, Gates C2-C11, D1-D18, E1-E13, F1-F22, and G1-G14
(as of November 1, 2019 gate C1 is planned for some point in the future)
[Note that there are short airside corridors between the C and D Concourses, the D and E Concourses, and the F and G Concourses. You can enter security from C, D, E, F, or G Concourses and go to gates in any of this group of Concourses.]
Airside Lounges:
Landside SkyTerrace open Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon 10a-6p: (FlySFO) (FT Thread)
Priority Pass eligible restaurants. [Note that PP card issued via American Express Platinum does not include "restaurant lounges"]:
It's possible to walk between gates in a single zone, but going from one zone to another requires clearing security. Several FTers have reported resistance from BP checkers and TSA agents when you try to enter a concourse that is not connected airside to your departure gate. They are mistaken; you can use a same day boarding pass departing SFO at any of the security checkpoints. Press the issue (politely), and you'll get in.
The landside connector between B and C is currently closed due to construction. To go between these two terminals you either need to go upstairs and take the AirTrain, or go down into the parking garage where you can walk freely (on well-marked pedestrian crosswalks) between terminals as well (pictures for walking in the garage can be found in post 512)
If you're arriving from an international destination, unless it's one of the pre-clearance airports, you'll have to clear Customs and Immigration at SFO and then need a departing boarding pass to clear security. SFO has the typical baggage re-check counters right after Customs for connecting passengers. They are usually open, but if closed, you'll need to lug your luggage to the regular domestic check-in counter of your connecting airline.
There's an AirTrain that runs between terminals (including the two parking garages connected to either side of the International Terminal) and the rental car center. AirTrain now has a stop at the long term parking lot. There is one on-airport hotel, a Grand Hyatt, accessible via the AirTrain. Personally, if forum regulars rob_flies_ua and dhuey need to connect between secure zones with only carry-ons, they just walk between terminals instead of waiting for the train. Returnoftheyeti and makfan will walk from BART to all terminals as well.
BART is the local regional commuter rail. The BART station is located on the north side of the airport, adjacent to International Terminal G. You can exit the paid area in two locations. One is by going up an escalator in the middle of the station and then connecting to the air train. You can also walk to the end of the station. Upon exiting you will be in the International terminal, near the chapel. A one-way ticket from SFO to downtown is $9.65.
For things to do on your layover in SFO, check out http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/san-f...d-threads.html
Outside of the secure zone, but adjacent to International Terminal G is the SFO Museum
Renovation of Boarding Area C will include a connector to T1-B and is expected to be completed by 2024, following which the entire airport will be connected airside (however going from A to G would require passing through B, C, D, E and F).
AirTrain Map:
As the map shows, Red Line runs clockwise; Blue Line runs counterclockwise. The mistake to avoid is getting on the Blue Line and heading off to the rental car center and long term parking lot when you were only trying to go from one terminal to another (e.g., don't take Blue when you want to go from International-G to Terminal 1). CAUTION: recently when arriving in the late evening, the red line has been closed, and only the blue line is operating but in the opposite direction from the arrows show. Keep an eye out for "sandwich board" signs on the platform, and pay attention to the overhead video screens by the boarding doors for accurate real-time directional info.
Check the official SFO airlines listing to see which concourse your airline generally arrives/departs from.
Gate numbers at SFO now include both the concourse letter and the gate number, starting over at 1 for each concourse. Prior to Oct 16, 2019 gates were simply numbered 1-102 starting from 1 in the A concourse through 102 in the G concourse.
SFO has 2 main airside zones:
1. International Terminal A, Gates A1-A15 and Terminal 1 (Harvey Milk), Concourse B, Gates B1-B27
[Note that there is a short airside corridor between the A and B Concourses. You can enter security from A and go to B gates, and vice versa. The AirTrain station at Terminal 1-B is temporarily closed as of 9-22-21.]
Airside Lounges in International-A:
- Cathay Pacific (near A1) - TEMPORARILY CLOSED AS OF 9/22/21
- Japan Airlines Sakura (near A1)
- Emirates (between A2-6) TEMPORARILY CLOSED AS OF 9/22/21
- Air France/KLM (near A1) - also accessible to Priority Pass holders departing International Terminal A (access may be restricted at certain hours)
- British Airways (between A5-9) (FT Thread) - includes a First Class section inside
- China Airlines (near A1) (recent TR w/photo link)
- Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounge (near A1) TEMPORARILY CLOSED AS OF 9/22/21
- Virgin Atlantic Club House (near A1) - also accesible to AMEX Platinum/Centurion cardholders
- American Airlines Admirals Club (near B13)
2. Terminal 2, Concourses C and D, Terminal 3, Concourses E and F and International Terminal G, Gates C2-C11, D1-D18, E1-E13, F1-F22, and G1-G14
(as of November 1, 2019 gate C1 is planned for some point in the future)
[Note that there are short airside corridors between the C and D Concourses, the D and E Concourses, and the F and G Concourses. You can enter security from C, D, E, F, or G Concourses and go to gates in any of this group of Concourses.]
Airside Lounges:
- Delta Sky Club (C Concourse near C3) (FT Thread)
- Alaska Lounge (D Concourse, near retail shops after security) (FT Thread)
- American Express Centurion Lounge (near F1) (FT Thread)
- 4 United Clubs (FT Thread: Best SFO UC, Status of SFO United Clubs)
- United Polaris Lounge (near G1) - FT thread: SFO Polaris Lounge Reopened - 4 January 2022
Landside SkyTerrace open Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon 10a-6p: (FlySFO) (FT Thread)
Priority Pass eligible restaurants. [Note that PP card issued via American Express Platinum does not include "restaurant lounges"]:
- Lark Creek Grill (near gate D2)
- SF Giants Clubhouse (near gate F13)
- Yankee Pier (near gate F4)
- Mustards Bar & Grill (near G3)
It's possible to walk between gates in a single zone, but going from one zone to another requires clearing security. Several FTers have reported resistance from BP checkers and TSA agents when you try to enter a concourse that is not connected airside to your departure gate. They are mistaken; you can use a same day boarding pass departing SFO at any of the security checkpoints. Press the issue (politely), and you'll get in.
The landside connector between B and C is currently closed due to construction. To go between these two terminals you either need to go upstairs and take the AirTrain, or go down into the parking garage where you can walk freely (on well-marked pedestrian crosswalks) between terminals as well (pictures for walking in the garage can be found in post 512)
If you're arriving from an international destination, unless it's one of the pre-clearance airports, you'll have to clear Customs and Immigration at SFO and then need a departing boarding pass to clear security. SFO has the typical baggage re-check counters right after Customs for connecting passengers. They are usually open, but if closed, you'll need to lug your luggage to the regular domestic check-in counter of your connecting airline.
There's an AirTrain that runs between terminals (including the two parking garages connected to either side of the International Terminal) and the rental car center. AirTrain now has a stop at the long term parking lot. There is one on-airport hotel, a Grand Hyatt, accessible via the AirTrain. Personally, if forum regulars rob_flies_ua and dhuey need to connect between secure zones with only carry-ons, they just walk between terminals instead of waiting for the train. Returnoftheyeti and makfan will walk from BART to all terminals as well.
BART is the local regional commuter rail. The BART station is located on the north side of the airport, adjacent to International Terminal G. You can exit the paid area in two locations. One is by going up an escalator in the middle of the station and then connecting to the air train. You can also walk to the end of the station. Upon exiting you will be in the International terminal, near the chapel. A one-way ticket from SFO to downtown is $9.65.
For things to do on your layover in SFO, check out http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/san-f...d-threads.html
Outside of the secure zone, but adjacent to International Terminal G is the SFO Museum
Renovation of Boarding Area C will include a connector to T1-B and is expected to be completed by 2024, following which the entire airport will be connected airside (however going from A to G would require passing through B, C, D, E and F).
AirTrain Map:
As the map shows, Red Line runs clockwise; Blue Line runs counterclockwise. The mistake to avoid is getting on the Blue Line and heading off to the rental car center and long term parking lot when you were only trying to go from one terminal to another (e.g., don't take Blue when you want to go from International-G to Terminal 1). CAUTION: recently when arriving in the late evening, the red line has been closed, and only the blue line is operating but in the opposite direction from the arrows show. Keep an eye out for "sandwich board" signs on the platform, and pay attention to the overhead video screens by the boarding doors for accurate real-time directional info.
Connecting in SFO
May 4, 2017, 4:25 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,220
If the inbound is not late, then you should have plenty of time. Landing UA domestic, you can remain airside throughout (as there's an airside connector between T3 and International G from which Singapore departs.
What are the likely things which can go wrong?
- You haven't checked in to the Singapore flight, which might mean going landside, but even then there should be plenty of time as security isn't that slow in Int'l G.
- The inbound flight leaves late (perhaps because of rolling delays through the day)
- Fog in SFO delays landing - but that's normally more of a problem in the morning and there's really not that much traffic at 10pm.
So, it should be ok but if you really cannot miss the Singapore flight then it's too much of a risk.
What are the likely things which can go wrong?
- You haven't checked in to the Singapore flight, which might mean going landside, but even then there should be plenty of time as security isn't that slow in Int'l G.
- The inbound flight leaves late (perhaps because of rolling delays through the day)
- Fog in SFO delays landing - but that's normally more of a problem in the morning and there's really not that much traffic at 10pm.
So, it should be ok but if you really cannot miss the Singapore flight then it's too much of a risk.
May 4, 2017, 12:35 pm
#47
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: EZE
Programs: UA Gold, LANPASS Gold, AerolineasPlus Gold
Posts: 51
I am actually flying LAX-IAH then from where my international flight to EZE is, so it is not easy. The problem is that that flight is the most convenient and one of the few Saver Award I am getting. There is no direct SEA-IAH flight on Saver award. I expected it would be fine as it is the same flight number but then I found out there is a plane change so do not understand why the flight number for the two legs is the same (SEA-SFO and SFO-LAX).
May 6, 2017, 5:53 pm
#48
Moderator: Hilton Honors, Practical Travel Safety Issues & San Francisco
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Francisco CA
Programs: UA, Hilton, Priceline, AirBnB
Posts: 11,001
Same flight numbers don't mean "no plane change."
They haven't meant "no plane change" for as long as I can remember.
May 7, 2017, 11:43 am
#49
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,047
Yes, that and how airlines often say a flight is "direct" when it actually has a stop. I don't know if they ever intended to mislead, but it sure is misleading to call a "flight" (singular) from Dallas to Boston "direct" when you land in Chicago and change planes in between. Those are flights (plural), and that is hardly a direct path to Boston.
May 8, 2017, 4:03 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,575
Jun 15, 2017, 10:19 am
#51
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AA Plt, Amex Plat, Starwood Gold
Posts: 32
Hello. I'm landing at T2 and hoping to meet a friend for a drink before his departure from International A. It doesn't look like there are any airside connections between the terminals, and there aren't any landside bars anywhere in the airport. I know he can probably come into T2 with his boarding pass, but it seems like a pain in the ... for him before a departure (and since I'm the SFO native, I'd really only want to inconvenience myself). The other wrinkle is that this will be late on a Sunday night (9:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.) So, any creative solutions to getting me into International A?
Apologies if this question has been asked before -- I couldn't find anything in search.
Apologies if this question has been asked before -- I couldn't find anything in search.
Jun 15, 2017, 10:56 am
#52
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,895
There are probably places pre-security in the International Terminal to grab a drink.
https://sf.eater.com/2015/11/19/9760...d-where-to-eat
(via http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/san-f...7-edition.html)
or https://www.flysfo.com/shop-dine-relax/dining and use the dropdown menus to filter.
https://sf.eater.com/2015/11/19/9760...d-where-to-eat
(via http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/san-f...7-edition.html)
or https://www.flysfo.com/shop-dine-relax/dining and use the dropdown menus to filter.
Jun 15, 2017, 10:57 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,602
Hello. I'm landing at T2 and hoping to meet a friend for a drink before his departure from International A. It doesn't look like there are any airside connections between the terminals, and there aren't any landside bars anywhere in the airport. I know he can probably come into T2 with his boarding pass, but it seems like a pain in the ... for him before a departure (and since I'm the SFO native, I'd really only want to inconvenience myself). The other wrinkle is that this will be late on a Sunday night (9:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.) So, any creative solutions to getting me into International A?
Apologies if this question has been asked before -- I couldn't find anything in search.
Apologies if this question has been asked before -- I couldn't find anything in search.
Jun 15, 2017, 8:29 pm
#54
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 775
Jun 23, 2017, 7:12 pm
#55
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 3
Transfer times Int to Dom at SFO
I am flying Asiana from ICN to SFO arriving at 2:00 pm. I have to book a flight to Boston and the first available is United at 4:00, the next at 8:30. Is 2 hours enough time or should I book the later flight? I understand I need to clear customs, get checked bags and then go through security. Thanks for any help!
Jun 23, 2017, 8:12 pm
#59
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,018
Jun 23, 2017, 9:12 pm
#60
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,895
This might be a good candidate thread for relocation/merging too:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...al-sfo-35.html
Mobile Passport is available at SFO, which should help:
https://mobilepassport.us/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...al-sfo-35.html
Mobile Passport is available at SFO, which should help:
https://mobilepassport.us/