Jul 14, 2024, 10:10 am
Last edit by: Infinite1K
SF Business Times has an interview with United's SFO hub president about the Terminal 3 West Modernization project resuming this summer.
https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfranc...rnational.html
Article is behind a paywall, but the highlights:
https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfranc...rnational.html
Article is behind a paywall, but the highlights:
- Construction begins July 1 and will last five years
- United will soon operate out of six gates in T2
- Gates F1-F4 will be rebuilt as five narrowbody or three widebody, FIS-capable swing gates that will no longer be exclusively UA gates
- Airside access between T3 and Int'l Terminal G will remain open
- The two security checkpoints in T3 will be consolidated into one (I don't think this was part of the original scope of the project)
- Once Alaska moves to T1 this summer, United "will consider" temporarily taking over the Alaska lounge
- United is looking for a larger club space between T2 and T3 for a permanent club (in addition to the existing one in B/A E)
- No mention of whether the rotunda club will undergo a renovation
- No mention of any renovation of gates F5-F22 (I don't think this is part of the project at all)
Some files on the projectL
Concept Review from October 2023: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/fil...C_CD_FINAL.pdf
Concept Review from February 2024: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/fil...CEPT_PHASE.pdf
Schematic Design from March 2024: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/fil..._PHASE%201.pdf
Additional document regarding the T3-IT connector from March 2024: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/fil...C%20update.pdf
Looks like the Rotunda UC will be rebuilt and located on a new mezzanine level.
Concept Review from October 2023: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/fil...C_CD_FINAL.pdf
Concept Review from February 2024: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/fil...CEPT_PHASE.pdf
Schematic Design from March 2024: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/fil..._PHASE%201.pdf
Additional document regarding the T3-IT connector from March 2024: https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/fil...C%20update.pdf
Looks like the Rotunda UC will be rebuilt and located on a new mezzanine level.
This link, provided by lolstebbo in May, shows a PDF of the latest project concept. Page 43 shows an Airline Lounge on the mezzanine level. https://www.sf.gov/sites/default/fil..._PHASE%201.pdf
I think the long-term plan is to renovate F5-F22, but I imagine that will happen after this is completed.
https://www.flysfo.com/sites/default...t_Projects.pdf
https://www.flysfo.com/sites/default...t_Projects.pdf
https://www.flysfo.com/flight-info/a...senger-impacts
Hope that the information is up to date.T
he Terminal 3 West modernization project is underway! Stay tuned to the Terminal 3 Construction page for the latest updates as this project takes flight.
As we transform the west portion of the terminal, please be advised of the following closures and passenger impacts related to ongoing construction.
Dropping off - Doors 6, 7, and 8 are closed at the Terminal 3 Departures curb.
- If no bags to check, drop off at Terminal 2 and proceed through the checkpoint.
- Premier customers with bags, drop off at Premier, near doors 2 - 3; check in at Premier lobby
- Economy customers with bags, drop off at Economy, near doors 10 - 13; check in at Economy lobby
- Or, consider dropping off at the Rental Car Center and then taking the AirTrain to avoid congestion.
- No bags to check? Get off at Terminal 2 AirTrain Station, cross bridge, and use the T2 Checkpoint
- Checking bags? Get off at Terminal 3 AirTrain Station; down one level, go into the parking garage, take the elevators to Level 1, and follow walking paths to either the E or F/G walkways for Premier or Economy check-in areas.
- The F walkway from the Domestic Garage is closed - follow signs to the E walkway to navigate to the elevators.
- United Premier guests can use core E at parking garage level 1 for terminal access.
- United Economy guests use core F/G at parking garage level 1 for terminal access.
- Interim post-security walkways are in place allowing passengers to traverse between all the terminals and boarding areas around the Terminal 3 construction site. One walkway is located in Terminal 3 by Gate E2 and ends in the rotunda food court and F Gates area in Terminal 3. The second section runs from the food court and F Gates to an existing post-security walkway to the International Terminal G gates.
- From Canada and Ireland - If you checked bags, they will be checked to their final destination, you do not need to go to baggage claim. All connecting passengers: do not exit the secure area; follow the signs to your connecting gate.
- All other international passengers will need to clear customs and collect all checked bags. Follow the "Connections" sign to exit the Customs Hall and turn left. United customers can re-check their bags in the re-check lobby, then proceed to their gates.
- For E, F or G Gates - Follow the signs to the International Terminal G Security Checkpoint.
- For D Gates Either use the International G Security checkpoint OR Take the AirTrain (Red Line) to Terminal 2 and use the Terminal 2/ D Gates Security checkpoint.
- For A Gates - Follow signs toward International Terminal A Security Checkpoint
- For B&C Gates - follow signs to the Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Security Checkpoint
Temporary Centurion Lounge is located at T2, Concourse D. Located right after the security checkpoint near Compass Books and Napa Farms Market.
SFO Terminal 3 West Remodel started - July 2024
May 20, 2026 | 3:00 pm
#916
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: UAMP Global Services, AA Platinum
Posts: 124
F to G will have to go away for access to the new F1 to F4 gates. Assume they will be domestic only gates for a while.
May 20, 2026 | 3:02 pm
#917
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: UAMP Global Services, AA Platinum
Posts: 124
Progress has been extremely rapid. Things changed very dramatically over last two weeks. I expect to see exterior sheathing ground up in the F1 to F4 gates on coming months.
May 21, 2026 | 10:58 am
#919
Join Date: May 2026
Posts: 1
There was an interesting presentation recently by the SFO expansion architecture team about the new United Club going in near T3's rotunda area. Apparently I can't post URLs since I'm new here but you can find the link at the May 18 Civic Design Review committee meeting site.
The new info is that United wants to increase the proposed size of the lounge area by 1 floor, making the resulting lounge about 45k sqft. That would put it at about 10k sqft more than the Denver B club.
The new info is that United wants to increase the proposed size of the lounge area by 1 floor, making the resulting lounge about 45k sqft. That would put it at about 10k sqft more than the Denver B club.
May 21, 2026 | 7:06 pm
#920
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
Posts: 666
There was an interesting presentation recently by the SFO expansion architecture team about the new United Club going in near T3's rotunda area. Apparently I can't post URLs since I'm new here but you can find the link at the May 18 Civic Design Review committee meeting site.
Also potentially of interest: some interior renderings for one of the suspended art pieces were presented in the May 20th Visual Arts committee meeting. It shows what the connector and core will look like while the F5/E1/E2/UC section is being built as well as when it's done.
Last edited by lolstebbo; May 22, 2026 at 8:56 am
May 23, 2026 | 9:07 am
#921
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: HH Dia
Posts: 488
May 23, 2026 | 10:27 am
#922
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 6,241
Noticed the UA boarding signs set up at one of the B gates towards the start of the month after an AA flight.
Another spotted here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37761047-post157.html
Another spotted here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37761047-post157.html
May 23, 2026 | 10:32 am
#923
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH LTDiamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA MM LT1P
Posts: 21,178
Noticed the UA boarding signs set up at one of the B gates towards the start of the month after an AA flight.
Another spotted here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37761047-post157.html
Another spotted here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37761047-post157.html
David
May 23, 2026 | 11:26 am
#925
Join Date: Sep 2022
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,744
I haven't taken a domestic flight in forever. I have an SFO-ORD-LHR outbound, Polaris on ORD-LHR.
The flight is UA2091 which has been departing from an E gate. Can I still check in at the Premier Checkin by Gate G and then walk to the E-gates? I presume I'd still use International check in to have my checked bag sent all the way to LHR.
So there's TSA Pre before you reach the E-gates? Or do you go through the same TSA Pre but then turn right by the Polaris Lounge?
I guess that's where the United Club is?
The flight is UA2091 which has been departing from an E gate. Can I still check in at the Premier Checkin by Gate G and then walk to the E-gates? I presume I'd still use International check in to have my checked bag sent all the way to LHR.
So there's TSA Pre before you reach the E-gates? Or do you go through the same TSA Pre but then turn right by the Polaris Lounge?
I guess that's where the United Club is?
May 23, 2026 | 11:33 am
#926
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA EP, UA 1K/MM, WoH Globalist, HH Diamond
Posts: 4,075
I haven't taken a domestic flight in forever. I have an SFO-ORD-LHR outbound, Polaris on ORD-LHR.
The flight is UA2091 which has been departing from an E gate. Can I still check in at the Premier Checkin by Gate G and then walk to the E-gates? I presume I'd still use International check in to have my checked bag sent all the way to LHR.
So there's TSA Pre before you reach the E-gates? Or do you go through the same TSA Pre but then turn right by the Polaris Lounge?
I guess that's where the United Club is?
The flight is UA2091 which has been departing from an E gate. Can I still check in at the Premier Checkin by Gate G and then walk to the E-gates? I presume I'd still use International check in to have my checked bag sent all the way to LHR.
So there's TSA Pre before you reach the E-gates? Or do you go through the same TSA Pre but then turn right by the Polaris Lounge?
I guess that's where the United Club is?
If your flight continues to depart out of E and you want to visit the Polaris lounge, then checking in at G would be the least amount of walking.
May 23, 2026 | 12:05 pm
#928
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH LTDiamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA MM LT1P
Posts: 21,178
There was an interesting presentation recently by the SFO expansion architecture team about the new United Club going in near T3's rotunda area. Apparently I can't post URLs since I'm new here but you can find the link at the May 18 Civic Design Review committee meeting site.
The new info is that United wants to increase the proposed size of the lounge area by 1 floor, making the resulting lounge about 45k sqft. That would put it at about 10k sqft more than the Denver B club.
The new info is that United wants to increase the proposed size of the lounge area by 1 floor, making the resulting lounge about 45k sqft. That would put it at about 10k sqft more than the Denver B club.
David
May 23, 2026 | 5:34 pm
#929
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA EP, UA 1K/MM, WoH Globalist, HH Diamond
Posts: 4,075
You are eligible to use the Polaris Lounge, however given your 6:05am departure, they wont be open in time for you to use it.
May 23, 2026 | 10:20 pm
#930
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: HH Dia
Posts: 488
I did a walk around the B gates and noticed a lot more UA flights.
Maybe its one of those things where it was there the whole time, but you just needed to look for it (or someone to point it out) to see it all.
Has anyone seen a UA flight at a C gate?
Maybe its one of those things where it was there the whole time, but you just needed to look for it (or someone to point it out) to see it all.
Has anyone seen a UA flight at a C gate?