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
Mar 23, 2024, 10:58 am
#646
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Ironically SFO is more consistent with 28L out of commission because it is lower variance in terms of ops during bad wx.
Mar 23, 2024, 3:09 pm
#647
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While SFO is not home, I go through it a lot.
Maybe my bad luck, but every flight I have flown to SFO last month (around 10, mostly AS and UA) has been held in a holding pattern, a couple of go arounds, leading to some dicey onward transfers - I won't call it connections since some of them were mileage runs on separate tickets.
There was even one-time where I observed SFO using 28R for all takeoffs and landings.
With regards to OP's situation, 1.5 hrs generally sufficient, even with some delays. All things being equal, if there are holding patterns and go arounds, it would impact both OP's aircraft from Canada and the inbound aircraft of the connecting flight. That said, the connecting flight is a long haul, so the gap time between flights are usually longer, which could play a factor. Anyway, I still think generally no issues with 1.5 hrs assuming the flight from Canada is on time; even a slight delay should still afford OP more than enough time for the connection.
Maybe my bad luck, but every flight I have flown to SFO last month (around 10, mostly AS and UA) has been held in a holding pattern, a couple of go arounds, leading to some dicey onward transfers - I won't call it connections since some of them were mileage runs on separate tickets.
There was even one-time where I observed SFO using 28R for all takeoffs and landings.
With regards to OP's situation, 1.5 hrs generally sufficient, even with some delays. All things being equal, if there are holding patterns and go arounds, it would impact both OP's aircraft from Canada and the inbound aircraft of the connecting flight. That said, the connecting flight is a long haul, so the gap time between flights are usually longer, which could play a factor. Anyway, I still think generally no issues with 1.5 hrs assuming the flight from Canada is on time; even a slight delay should still afford OP more than enough time for the connection.
Mar 23, 2024, 10:05 pm
#648
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I'm in and out every week or two and have seem quite a few delays in the 30-90 minute range. UA seems to be more affected than some other airlines, I'm sure due to the relatively higher number of flights. 90 minutes from YYC to a once-a-day long-haul would give me pause.
It wouldn't, that's the problem. The inbound long-haul normally won't be delayed. The short-haul may be. That's how the air traffic management programs operate. There's also the problem of cascading delays if an aircraft is rotating in and out of SFO (don't know if this is the case with YYC, but it certainly is with many western US routes).
Apr 4, 2024, 12:18 pm
#649
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: IND
Programs: Delta SkyMiles (DM), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium, LTP)
Posts: 535
Hi, all! I think this is the correct thread to ask this, but if not, please point me in the right direction. I will be flying PVG - IND via SFO. I'm a DL guy, so this will be my first time for international arrival/connection at SFO. Looking at the SFO maps, I think I have this down correctly, but would appreciate any information from anyone with more experience with the SFO international terminal.
My plan is to use the international terminal G security after clearing passport control and customs and re-checking my luggage, so that I will re-enter the secure part of the airport by the Polaris lounge. Am I correctly understanding that the luggage re-check is right around the location of the connecting flights door/exit, after clearing customs? And then once I've re-checked my bag, I can just proceed directly upstairs to go back through security? I'll have access to the Polaris lounge, thanks to the J ticket; also, I'm assuming the security in the international terminal will be faster, with both Pre and Clear? (And the walk back over to T3 looks pretty fast/straghtforward, with the walkway being right outside the Polaris lounge?)
Thanks in advance!
My plan is to use the international terminal G security after clearing passport control and customs and re-checking my luggage, so that I will re-enter the secure part of the airport by the Polaris lounge. Am I correctly understanding that the luggage re-check is right around the location of the connecting flights door/exit, after clearing customs? And then once I've re-checked my bag, I can just proceed directly upstairs to go back through security? I'll have access to the Polaris lounge, thanks to the J ticket; also, I'm assuming the security in the international terminal will be faster, with both Pre and Clear? (And the walk back over to T3 looks pretty fast/straghtforward, with the walkway being right outside the Polaris lounge?)
Thanks in advance!
Apr 4, 2024, 12:20 pm
#650
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: SFO
Posts: 239
Hi, all! I think this is the correct thread to ask this, but if not, please point me in the right direction. I will be flying PVG - IND via SFO. I'm a DL guy, so this will be my first time for international arrival/connection at SFO. Looking at the SFO maps, I think I have this down correctly, but would appreciate any information from anyone with more experience with the SFO international terminal.
My plan is to use the international terminal G security after clearing passport control and customs and re-checking my luggage, so that I will re-enter the secure part of the airport by the Polaris lounge. Am I correctly understanding that the luggage re-check is right around the location of the connecting flights door/exit, after clearing customs? And then once I've re-checked my bag, I can just proceed directly upstairs to go back through security? I'll have access to the Polaris lounge, thanks to the J ticket; also, I'm assuming the security in the international terminal will be faster, with both Pre and Clear? (And the walk back over to T3 looks pretty fast/straghtforward, with the walkway being right outside the Polaris lounge?)
Thanks in advance!
My plan is to use the international terminal G security after clearing passport control and customs and re-checking my luggage, so that I will re-enter the secure part of the airport by the Polaris lounge. Am I correctly understanding that the luggage re-check is right around the location of the connecting flights door/exit, after clearing customs? And then once I've re-checked my bag, I can just proceed directly upstairs to go back through security? I'll have access to the Polaris lounge, thanks to the J ticket; also, I'm assuming the security in the international terminal will be faster, with both Pre and Clear? (And the walk back over to T3 looks pretty fast/straghtforward, with the walkway being right outside the Polaris lounge?)
Thanks in advance!
Apr 4, 2024, 12:28 pm
#651
Join Date: Aug 2022
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Posts: 535
Correct. You can absolutely clear security at the INTL terminal. Here is a map that shows the bag drop process: https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/travel-i...san-francisco/
Apr 4, 2024, 6:22 pm
#652
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Probably not, but if you're going to PL, it's a pretty serious backtrack to go all the way to the F1 checkpoint, even though F1 is often much more efficient than G (which doesn't offer true Pre much of the day).
Apr 5, 2024, 6:56 am
#653
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Looking at FlightAware, it seems that this PVG-SFO flight is often delayed. If that happens, I may just head over to F1 anyway, if I don't have time to make it worthwhile to hit the Polaris Lounge.
Apr 5, 2024, 8:13 am
#654
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5-10 from re-check, depending on how fast you walk. If you're departing from or E or F, and not using Polaris lounge, I would go to F1. We went through G following LX38 on Sunday (around 4 pm) and it sucked. No dedicated pre, so you're stuck behind people taking everything out.
Apr 5, 2024, 10:42 pm
#655
Join Date: Apr 2013
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Posts: 1,816
Apr 6, 2024, 1:13 am
#656
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Pre+Clear in G is not too bad. I usually arrive on BART from home and go through TSA at G. I've never seen it not be true Pre. I have seen Pre back up a bit, but nothing too bad, and Clear is usually, but not always better. It is a 30 second walk from security to Polaris Lounge. No need to seriously consider F.
Apr 6, 2024, 2:54 am
#657
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 42
Early Morning SFO Transit—F or G Security?
Hi, what’s the FT consensus on choosing G vs F security for early morning I-D transits at SFO? The last few times I have arrived at SFO from Asia, I have made the hike to F only to find very long lines at security. That has me wondering whether reclearing security at G would be better, especially since the Polaris lounge would be close by. I understand that I’d have to leave time to walk to my onward domestic departure gate at E or F. TSA Pre + Clear if relevant.
Apr 6, 2024, 5:17 am
#658
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Yes, in your situation clearing security at SFO Concourse G would indeed make good sense.
Apr 6, 2024, 8:12 am
#659
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Then you haven't used it very frequently. SFO has never returned security staffing and hours to pre-pandemic levels.
Apr 6, 2024, 9:24 am
#660
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5-10 from re-check, depending on how fast you walk. If you're departing from or E or F, and not using Polaris lounge, I would go to F1. We went through G following LX38 on Sunday (around 4 pm) and it sucked. No dedicated pre, so you're stuck behind people taking everything out.
Pre+Clear in G is not too bad. I usually arrive on BART from home and go through TSA at G. I've never seen it not be true Pre. I have seen Pre back up a bit, but nothing too bad, and Clear is usually, but not always better. It is a 30 second walk from security to Polaris Lounge. No need to seriously consider F.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 6, 2024 at 1:22 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member