Jul 30, 2016, 11:29 am
Last edit by: dhuey
UA @ SFO uses Terminals D, E, F, G, all UA gates are connected airside
UA terminal map & SFO terminal map
United clubs locations:
E gates -- near E3
F gates -- in the F rotunda
G gates -- near G9 (former Global First Lounge)
Mezzanine -- across from E1 (between E & F concourse)
United Polaris Lounge (United/Star Alliance long-haul business class passengers only) - just past Intl G security on the right.
Arrivals -- CLOSED - was near UA Domestic baggage claim (near the Internation Terminal end escalator) on the Arrival level
AMEX Centurion Lounge -- across from Gate F1
Freshen Up! -- is an independent option for Shower facilities, nap rooms, toiletries, ironing facilities and undergarments.
MCT
UA-UA D-D is usually 30 minutes
xx-UA I-D is generally 80-105 minutes (but without Global Entry this is very tight)
UA-XX D-D is ????
Incoming International (except Canadian flights arriving as domestic flights - clearance is done in Canada) - must clear USA immigration and customs even if in-transit to a non-USA destination. Therefore also need to re-clear security if connecting.
Bags can be check at either International Check (G) or Domestic check-in (T3) for either international or domestic flights -- you may get some pushback at International check-in counters checking bags for solely domestic flights (apparently it is a bit more complex to get the bags to the domestic side)
Bag storage Open Everyday 6am – 11 pm
Before security, on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal, near the entrance to Gates G91-G102.
Related threads
Connecting in SFO
Archived posts: Consolidated Connection time/logistics-Domestic & International at SFO [ARCHIVE]
UA terminal map & SFO terminal map
United clubs locations:
E gates -- near E3
F gates -- in the F rotunda
G gates -- near G9 (former Global First Lounge)
Mezzanine -- across from E1 (between E & F concourse)
United Polaris Lounge (United/Star Alliance long-haul business class passengers only) - just past Intl G security on the right.
Arrivals -- CLOSED - was near UA Domestic baggage claim (near the Internation Terminal end escalator) on the Arrival level
AMEX Centurion Lounge -- across from Gate F1
Freshen Up! -- is an independent option for Shower facilities, nap rooms, toiletries, ironing facilities and undergarments.
MCT
UA-UA D-D is usually 30 minutes
xx-UA I-D is generally 80-105 minutes (but without Global Entry this is very tight)
UA-XX D-D is ????
Incoming International (except Canadian flights arriving as domestic flights - clearance is done in Canada) - must clear USA immigration and customs even if in-transit to a non-USA destination. Therefore also need to re-clear security if connecting.
Bags can be check at either International Check (G) or Domestic check-in (T3) for either international or domestic flights -- you may get some pushback at International check-in counters checking bags for solely domestic flights (apparently it is a bit more complex to get the bags to the domestic side)
Bag storage Open Everyday 6am – 11 pm
Before security, on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal, near the entrance to Gates G91-G102.
Related threads
Connecting in SFO
Archived posts: Consolidated Connection time/logistics-Domestic & International at SFO [ARCHIVE]
Consolidated SFO connection time/logistics-Domestic & International
Dec 29, 2023, 4:19 am
#586
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My SFO-BNE (787-9) a week ago left from F12. Talking to the staff in the UC in G, one of the SFO-SYD flights the night before (777) also left from F. Apparently there's a shortage of gates in G late evenings, which is leading to this happening regularly.
Dec 29, 2023, 8:39 am
#587
Join Date: May 2007
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Departure will *probably* be in G, but don't presume that!
My SFO-BNE (787-9) a week ago left from F12. Talking to the staff in the UC in G, one of the SFO-SYD flights the night before (777) also left from F. Apparently there's a shortage of gates in G late evenings, which is leading to this happening regularly.
My SFO-BNE (787-9) a week ago left from F12. Talking to the staff in the UC in G, one of the SFO-SYD flights the night before (777) also left from F. Apparently there's a shortage of gates in G late evenings, which is leading to this happening regularly.
Dec 29, 2023, 11:00 am
#589
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True for many SFO weather issues (such as fog / rain or other things that restrict parallel runways usage) but there are other reasons for flight delays -- MX, prior arrival to ANC was delayed, crew issues, ......
Dec 29, 2023, 11:11 am
#590
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Yep. I've been on countless delayed flights into SFO with pax who were going to misconnect on the late night flights to SYD or SIN. 1:20 could be no problem, or it could mean an overnight at one of the airport hotels.
Dec 29, 2023, 11:34 pm
#591
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Very possibly. My flight (UA96 on Dec 23) was originally showing as G3, but when I checked my bag it had changes to F12 which even confused the check-in agent. The plane came in from Denver, so arrived at that gate. I didn't check what was using G3 but it's very possibly it was something that had been delayed.
Jan 3, 2024, 12:31 pm
#593
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They are in the same place. Door 2-ish of T3. Never had to wait for either. The Premier section has a 1k/Polaris desk if you need to talk to someone. Quick walk to the premium/pre-check/clear security lines. The other side of security is where F meets the main terminal building.
Jan 3, 2024, 1:34 pm
#594
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They are in the same place. Door 2-ish of T3. Never had to wait for either. The Premier section has a 1k/Polaris desk if you need to talk to someone. Quick walk to the premium/pre-check/clear security lines. The other side of security is where F meets the main terminal building.
Security is between door 6 and door 8.
Jan 7, 2024, 12:29 am
#595
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Experienced a go around tonight on UA483 (BNA - SFO January 6, 2024). Couldn't tell the exact reason (around 0542 UTC Jan 7) based on quick listen of ATC archive of NorCal approach.
Feb 13, 2024, 11:20 am
#596
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 18
New here and hope this is the correct thread for my questions: I will fly into SFO in the morning from YYC on an AC flight (code shared and operated by UA), then board a connecting CZ transpacific flight just past midnight. Trying to figure out how the transfer at SFO will work out. The inbound UA flight is supposed to arrive at Gate E8 and the outbound CZ flight will depart from A gates (as of now; I was informed of a major schedule change to the CZ flight coming April when my travel is so not sure if the gates will change as well). Is it possible to get to A from E8 without having to clear customs and immigration again? From what I know/remember (not a FF in any sense) YYC does have CBP pre-clearance.
Also hoping I wouldn't need to take out my baggage at SFO; the advice I got is to not do online check-in before the UA flight (seat already selected) so when I get to YYC, I can interact with the counter agent and ask them to through check my baggage to the final destination vs. SFO. Is this sound? The connection time is long (15 hours) by the way. Not sure if it matters to baggage handling but CZ doesn't seem to have any partnership with AC or UA.
Thanks so much.
p.s. couldn't find definite terminal data so the gate/terminal info quoted above may not be accurate. Any good websites for that?
Also hoping I wouldn't need to take out my baggage at SFO; the advice I got is to not do online check-in before the UA flight (seat already selected) so when I get to YYC, I can interact with the counter agent and ask them to through check my baggage to the final destination vs. SFO. Is this sound? The connection time is long (15 hours) by the way. Not sure if it matters to baggage handling but CZ doesn't seem to have any partnership with AC or UA.
Thanks so much.
p.s. couldn't find definite terminal data so the gate/terminal info quoted above may not be accurate. Any good websites for that?
Last edited by hopping; Feb 13, 2024 at 11:38 am Reason: Gate info correction
Feb 13, 2024, 11:35 am
#597
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New here and hope this is the correct thread for my questions: I will fly into SFO in the morning from YYC on an AC flight (code shared and operated by UA), then board a connecting CZ transpacific flight just past midnight. Trying to figure out how the transfer at SFO will work out. The inbound UA flight is supposed to arrive at Gate E8 and the outbound CZ flight will depart from A gates (as of now; I was informed of a major schedule change to the CZ flight coming April when my travel is so not sure if the gates will change as well). Is it possible to get to A from E8 without having to clear customs and immigration again? From what I know/remember (not a FF in any sense) YYC does have CBP pre-clearance.
YYC does have pre-clearance. You will have to go through security again to get from the UA gates (E/F/G) to the A gates, but not customs and immigration. But why not spend the day in San Francisco instead?
Also hoping I wouldn't need to take out my baggage at SFO; the advice I got is to not do online check-in before the UA flight (seat already selected) so when I get to YYC, I can interact with the counter agent and ask them to through check my baggage to the final destination vs. SFO. Is this sound? The connection time is long (15 hours) by the way. Not sure if it matters to baggage handling but CZ doesn't seem to have any partnership with AC or UA.
Feb 13, 2024, 12:02 pm
#598
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New here and hope this is the correct thread for my questions: I will fly into SFO in the morning from YYC on an AC flight (code shared and operated by UA), then board a connecting CZ transpacific flight just past midnight. Trying to figure out how the transfer at SFO will work out. The inbound UA flight is supposed to arrive at Gate E8 and the outbound CZ flight will depart from A gates (as of now; I was informed of a major schedule change to the CZ flight coming April when my travel is so not sure if the gates will change as well). Is it possible to get to A from E8 without having to clear customs and immigration again? From what I know/remember (not a FF in any sense) YYC does have CBP pre-clearance.
Also hoping I wouldn't need to take out my baggage at SFO; the advice I got is to not do online check-in before the UA flight (seat already selected) so when I get to YYC, I can interact with the counter agent and ask them to through check my baggage to the final destination vs. SFO. Is this sound? The connection time is long (15 hours) by the way. Not sure if it matters to baggage handling but CZ doesn't seem to have any partnership with AC or UA.
Thanks so much.
p.s. couldn't find definite terminal data so the gate/terminal info quoted above may not be accurate. Any good websites for that?
Also hoping I wouldn't need to take out my baggage at SFO; the advice I got is to not do online check-in before the UA flight (seat already selected) so when I get to YYC, I can interact with the counter agent and ask them to through check my baggage to the final destination vs. SFO. Is this sound? The connection time is long (15 hours) by the way. Not sure if it matters to baggage handling but CZ doesn't seem to have any partnership with AC or UA.
Thanks so much.
p.s. couldn't find definite terminal data so the gate/terminal info quoted above may not be accurate. Any good websites for that?
In addition to the helpful advice from @jsloan, any gate info for the present day is unlikely to be the same for the day of your trip. United operates from multiple concourses at SFO.
As you will have to reclear security anyway, and with such a long layover time, why not go into town as suggested? United and China Southern operations are not connected post securiry at this time.
Feb 13, 2024, 12:14 pm
#599
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 18
Does going through security again mean that I will need to claim my luggage and to re-check it in after?
Not really a good traveler here so will probably not be in a mood for sightseeing
Plus I will have a 22 hour layover on the way back so will have to get out and get a hotel room for the night (as much as I don't really want to; I dread going through security/customs/immi)
Checking in online or not is irrelevant. UA's policy is not to check through to the final final destination when the transfer is this long. You can ask, but be prepared to be told no.
Feb 13, 2024, 12:27 pm
#600
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United will NOT check your bag through unless you are on a single ticket. They also will not check through for a connection more than 12 hours.