Waiting for your food at In N Out will likely take longer than your connection ;)

You've been in the shared Qantas/AA lounge at LAX and didn't like it? It's one of the nicest domestic U.S. lounges I've been in, with plenty of seating, free computers for internet access, and a pretty nice Flagship Lounge inside behind frosted doors if you can get access (I do on international itineraries). It must be about 2 years old now. AA should open their new Flagship Lounge at JFK next month.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lurker1999
If it strikes your fancy 4 hours is definitely enough to hit up the Millbrae In-N-Out Burger at SFO. Just take the BART one stop to Millbrae and you can see the sign for In-N-Out from the station after you climb up the stairs. Get your order to go if you're worried about time and head back to SFO and your connecting UA flight. The nice thing about the BART machines at SFO is that they'll allow you to charge small amounts to your credit card vs. the minimum purchase amount at the other stations so put just enough for the return ticket on the card ($3).

For the double-double, animal style, with fries and a chocolate shake, of course. :D

"Animal style"? I don't think I want to know. ;)

SFO has a really neat display on inventions right now.

LHR-LAX-HNL would be 246 more miles vs SFO.

I would say SFO hands down unless you have time to leave the airport or you are worried about fog delays.

Assuming you are in first class, LAX is the far better option. You will have access in LAX to the International First Class Lounge in transit while in SFO you will be stuck in the RCC. Also, never a delay in takeoffs/landings due to fog and UA has its own dedicated immigrations center. LAX for sure.

From the "secret menu" - on their website only -

Animal Style
Burger of your choice with hand-leafed lettuce, tomato, a mustard cooked beef patty; add pickle, extra spread, with grilled onions.

Double-double, of course, is double meat, double cheese.

Yum...:p:p:p

But hide it while inside the fare gate and getting on the train. No eating or drinking on BART and I've seen that enforced more than once.

Ahhh ... but it will be hot and fresh!

This thread has a first-person account of 4 wild hours at LAX....

sfo, I spet 10 hours there once and it feels like a second home :D

I'd recommend SFO...although you can do much better than In-N-Out Burger. My favorite SFO eatery is the excellent taco truck in the bottom of the domestic parking structure at the center of the airport.
If the weather/daylight allows, you take the shuttle to the ParkSFO lot, there is a great hiking trail that starts behind the nearby Costco store. It has some nice views of the bay.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

If I was to leave the airport and have a wander round, how do I get out having come through immigration and will be dumped into the UA domestic connection area I assume?

(I have never connected through SFO before.)

The domestic terminal is attached to and a short walk from the international terminal. It will, however, take you at least 30 minutes and possibly an hour to collect your baggage and clear immigration and customs, and you'll need to allow at least another hour before your connection to clear security (and I assume you'll already be checked in). Two hours isn't really much time -- going into the city will involve cutting it very, very close because BART to and from the airport doesn't run very often, and there is absolutely nothing within walking distance of SFO -- in fact, I'm not even sure if you could walk out of the airport.