Dec 30, 2023, 12:23 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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
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
Consolidated Connection time/logistics-Domestic & International at SFO [ARCHIVE]
Jul 27, 2016, 1:24 am
#961
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,070
I would check and see, is there a later flight SFO-YVR that day, in case you miss the flight you are booked on? 
Jul 27, 2016, 6:35 am
#962
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,356
I'm looking to book flights from Lax to Vancouver and the United website is offering flights via San Francisco with a 30 minute connection time. It does highlight that it is a risky connection however if they are willing to sell me the fare does that mean that if i miss the connection it's Uniteds problem?
Jul 27, 2016, 7:07 am
#963
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: back in the saddle in AMWAJ
Programs: EK PLAT 2022-2023, UAplat soon to be LH senator!
Posts: 367
In the last month i've had 3 missed connections in denver and that i attribute to having to wait for gate checked bags, had i been able to bring my carryon on board like the --commuting not dead heading--flight attendants i see on a regular basis then i would of had a fighting chance to make it from the 80-90s in denver to the mid 30s to upper 40s.
Jul 27, 2016, 7:57 pm
#964
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Your RDU-SFO nonstop arrives 9:15/9:30pm, which is a pretty quiet time for SFO arrivals, departures. I would say as long as your flight takes off on time it should be a pretty easy and reliable connection. And in case anything is delayed, Saturday SFO-LAS last flight should have a good amount of space for rebooking (although it is an ER145).
actually you're right. There is a small bump of arrivals around the 9pm hour that, if things went bad, could result in delays:
I would say that lately though (June/July weather) this has been rare.
*Note in the chart above, the 30 & 38 per hour dashed lines indicate the IMC and marginal weather conditions arrivals acceptance rate for SFO.
I would say that lately though (June/July weather) this has been rare.
*Note in the chart above, the 30 & 38 per hour dashed lines indicate the IMC and marginal weather conditions arrivals acceptance rate for SFO.
Jul 27, 2016, 11:48 pm
#965
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: SFO/HKG
Programs: ex-UA 1K, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 535
In addition to UA and SQ, there's also the EVA lounge too. Never been so can't comment.
Jul 30, 2016, 10:03 am
#966
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
What are SFO dom-Intl transfers like these days?
I'm flying LAX-SFO-HKG in GF and wondering what to do when I land at SFO? Is there still an airside bus that takes you over to the International terminal?
Jul 30, 2016, 10:05 am
#967
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,044
There's an airside corridor. No bus.
Jul 30, 2016, 10:09 am
#968
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Thanks. So no security re-screening, right?
I guess it's too much to hope for to have an escort for GF pax? And there is nothing special at LAX either, right? No International F lounge anymore?
I guess it's too much to hope for to have an escort for GF pax? And there is nothing special at LAX either, right? No International F lounge anymore?
Jul 30, 2016, 10:12 am
#969
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,044
Regular UC clubs at LAX. GF lounge at SFO is about halfway down Int'l concourse on right. I don't think you get escort. Even coach passengers can find the HKG plane without trouble. No car probably unless tight connection. No scanning/document checks between your arriving plane and departing plane (if you stay airside and both flights UA)...
Jul 30, 2016, 10:13 am
#970
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,070
Jul 30, 2016, 10:14 am
#971
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 502
It depends what airline you are flying in on and flying out on, if United in and United out, no need to re-clear security (unless bags don't go through), if not United on the way out/in you might need to re-clear security to head to either Intl Term A/G.
Jul 30, 2016, 10:17 am
#972
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,396
Correct, no security re-screening needed so long as you are flying UA from LAX to SFO and then connecting UA SFO to HKG. The airside domestic-to-international corridor is just beyond SFO T.3 Gate 75 and will go toward the right. Do not take the left exit just beyond the Centurion Lounge as that will take you outside of the secured area.
Once in the International terminal which UA uses for HKG, There is a GFL near gate 98, and a "regular" UA club near gate 94.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...s/default.aspx
Once in the International terminal which UA uses for HKG, There is a GFL near gate 98, and a "regular" UA club near gate 94.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...s/default.aspx
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 30, 2016 at 11:37 am Reason: clean-up after merge
Jul 30, 2016, 10:45 am
#973
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 502
I've been to both, if you are looking for super quiet lounge experience, do GFL, if good food and alcohol is your choice, then Centurion (YMMV of course).
Jul 30, 2016, 10:54 am
#974
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Ocn mentioned this, they do have the GF lounge, BUT.. the Centurion is much nicer, can be a bit crowded dependent on time of day, but would hands down hit centurion.
I've been to both, if you are looking for super quiet lounge experience, do GFL, if good food and alcohol is your choice, then Centurion (YMMV of course).
I've been to both, if you are looking for super quiet lounge experience, do GFL, if good food and alcohol is your choice, then Centurion (YMMV of course).
At the GFL lounge, do they walk you right into the cabin of the plane like they used to back when it was called the International First lounge?
None of this may matter as every single UA domestic flight I've take this year has been late and I probably won't have time to use any lounge. But I hope that won't be the case this time.
Jul 30, 2016, 10:58 am
#975
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 502
Thanks. I'm a Centurion member so yes I might prefer this, but how far of a walk is it from that lounge to the Intl gates?
At the GFL lounge, do they walk you right into the cabin of the plane like they used to back when it was called the International First lounge?
None of this may matter as every single UA domestic flight I've take this year has been late and I probably won't have time to use any lounge. But I hope that won't be the case this time.
At the GFL lounge, do they walk you right into the cabin of the plane like they used to back when it was called the International First lounge?
None of this may matter as every single UA domestic flight I've take this year has been late and I probably won't have time to use any lounge. But I hope that won't be the case this time.
As for walking straight on the plane, I believe this is still the case.