Oct 18, 2019, 3:52 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
SFO is changing the gate number system at all terminals beginning Oct 16. Gate numbers will change from numeric to alphanumeric (e.g. Gate 64 is now Gate E11). Letters will correspond to the boarding area.
For United in Terminal 3: Boarding Area E, gates E1 – E13, and Boarding Area F, gates F1 – F22 will replace gates 60-90.
For United in the International Terminal: gates G1 – G14 will replace gates 91-102.
https://www.flysfo.com/gate-renumbering
For United in Terminal 3: Boarding Area E, gates E1 – E13, and Boarding Area F, gates F1 – F22 will replace gates 60-90.
For United in the International Terminal: gates G1 – G14 will replace gates 91-102.
https://www.flysfo.com/gate-renumbering
New gate numbering system at SFO beginning Oct 16, 2019
Sep 19, 2019, 3:02 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
As someone who travels to/through SFO on a somewhat regular basis and has to travel between T3 and ITG airside this is an unwelcome change. Yes the numberings were confusing at times and somewhat inconsistent but at least you had a sense of where you are in the grand scheme of things. If I'm getting off a domestic flight at gate 84 and have to catch an international flight at gate 93 I have a sense of distance. Under the new system I'd be arriving at gate F16 and heading to gate G4.
I'd also argue, this post is highly relevant for the UA forums since SFO is a hub for UA and UA makes use of multiple terminals. The real losers in this update will ultimately be UA and by connection its *A partners. Sure DL and AA fly here but their presence is limited and there's less cross-terminal action going on for those itineraries anyway.
Safe Travels,
James
I'd also argue, this post is highly relevant for the UA forums since SFO is a hub for UA and UA makes use of multiple terminals. The real losers in this update will ultimately be UA and by connection its *A partners. Sure DL and AA fly here but their presence is limited and there's less cross-terminal action going on for those itineraries anyway.
Safe Travels,
James
Sep 19, 2019, 3:11 pm
#17
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IMO, the F-terminal layout makes more sense than trying to keep the odds and evens on the right side once you reach the end. Once you're in that close proximity it makes more sense to have adjacent gates be sequential to the extent possible. There's a large gap between F15 and F22, so it makes sense for the gap in numbers to be there. Plus, it doesn't really make much difference given once you get there all of the gates will be visible from each other, so any confusion will be very short-lived.
Also, anyone walking past F15 will see F19 on the left-hand side "after" F22. Or, they are looking on the right side and see "F22" and wonder where the heck F19/F20/F21 all are since they are lower numbers and should come before seeing F22. Sure...if they can see the trees from the forest then we don't have an issue. But given how people can't seem to follow simple number schemes as already mentioned in this thread, I think the F layout is completely wrong.
-RM
Sep 19, 2019, 3:15 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
I get the logic, am going to miss those orange gate number signs in the UA terminal that date back to the late 70s...
For all the Saul Bass tulip fans, the guy who designed that terminal was Walter Landor, who did the BA '80s logo, Alitalia, the orange Muni livery, the Golden Gate ferries, Safeway, etc.
It was one of the first terminals with a design - integrated brand system - even down to the way the courtesy phones were carved into the walls
For all the Saul Bass tulip fans, the guy who designed that terminal was Walter Landor, who did the BA '80s logo, Alitalia, the orange Muni livery, the Golden Gate ferries, Safeway, etc.
It was one of the first terminals with a design - integrated brand system - even down to the way the courtesy phones were carved into the walls
Sep 19, 2019, 3:22 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
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I understand what you're saying but it still would make more sense to put even on one side and odd on the other. Given the spacing they have shown in the picture then F12/F14/F16/F18/F20/F22 all fit on the "right" side (looking top down from the pic). F11/F13/F15/F17/F19 all fit on the "left" side. F21 becomes the "end of the hall" gate. That follows your rule of having the adjacent gates sequential at the end with 19/20/21 all being down there. It also follows my 'rule' of even on one side, odd on the other. And it makes perfect logical sense.
Sep 19, 2019, 3:25 pm
#20
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It will do away with thinking that a connection from gate 90 to 92 is short walk. Had something close to that once but at least had plenty of time. And the signage to the International wing isn't great.
Sep 19, 2019, 3:33 pm
#21
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First I had to learn a new UA account id, now after nearly 50 years need to learn new gate numbers at my home airport, there is just no stability in this world 
Yep, change is change, but there is at least some sense to this change
Yep, change is change, but there is at least some sense to this change
Sep 19, 2019, 4:01 pm
#22
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So now it’s “oy and schlep” when I see gates F19-21 vs gates the old numbers of 88-90
Sep 19, 2019, 4:23 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Another airport that can't seem to follow a consistent numbering scheme. In the "E" terminal they seemed to do a decent job of odd on one side and even on the other with the exception of E4. The "F" terminal is a bigger disaster. F17, F19, F20 and F22 are on the 'wrong' side.
If a lot of people can't figure out the simple numbers SFO has used for years I don't see this helping honestly. Whenever I enter a terminal I don't know I look at the first gates on both sides and figure out which side even and odd are. No point in doing that, especially in the "F" terminal.
-RM
If a lot of people can't figure out the simple numbers SFO has used for years I don't see this helping honestly. Whenever I enter a terminal I don't know I look at the first gates on both sides and figure out which side even and odd are. No point in doing that, especially in the "F" terminal.
-RM
Sep 19, 2019, 4:47 pm
#24
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I was a bit perturbed by boarding area E for several years, so imagine how I feel now. 
Personally, for some reason I do not know, I would prefer they stick with numbers and not have letter-number. I don't mind so much if they change each gate's number, but it feels as though the schematic complexity goes up by a lot when there is a letter added.
Personally, for some reason I do not know, I would prefer they stick with numbers and not have letter-number. I don't mind so much if they change each gate's number, but it feels as though the schematic complexity goes up by a lot when there is a letter added.
Sep 19, 2019, 5:07 pm
#25
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I was a bit perturbed by boarding area E for several years, so imagine how I feel now.
Personally, for some reason I do not know, I would prefer they stick with numbers and not have letter-number. I don't mind so much if they change each gate's number, but it feels as though the schematic complexity goes up by a lot when there is a letter added.
Personally, for some reason I do not know, I would prefer they stick with numbers and not have letter-number. I don't mind so much if they change each gate's number, but it feels as though the schematic complexity goes up by a lot when there is a letter added.
E5 means they can have big signs throughout F that have a giant E and an arrow, rather than having a big range of numbers.
Within E, they can have smaller ranges of smaller numbers.
Overall, I think it will be easier for everyone who hasn't memorized the existing setup.
Sep 19, 2019, 5:35 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2010
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As someone who travels to/through SFO on a somewhat regular basis and has to travel between T3 and ITG airside this is an unwelcome change. Yes the numberings were confusing at times and somewhat inconsistent but at least you had a sense of where you are in the grand scheme of things. If I'm getting off a domestic flight at gate 84 and have to catch an international flight at gate 93 I have a sense of distance. Under the new system I'd be arriving at gate F16 and heading to gate G4
Grouping the gates by letter zones provides immediate context as to which gates are close to each other and which ones are in a different area, even if one is unfamiliar with the airport layout.
Sep 19, 2019, 7:26 pm
#28
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I prefer the letter.
E5 means they can have big signs throughout F that have a giant E and an arrow, rather than having a big range of numbers.
Within E, they can have smaller ranges of smaller numbers.
Overall, I think it will be easier for everyone who hasn't memorized the existing setup.
E5 means they can have big signs throughout F that have a giant E and an arrow, rather than having a big range of numbers.
Within E, they can have smaller ranges of smaller numbers.
Overall, I think it will be easier for everyone who hasn't memorized the existing setup.
