San Francisco International Airport

Summary

San Francisco International Airport (IATA: SFO, ICAO: KSFO, FAA LID: SFO) is the primary international airport serving San Francisco and its metropolitan area in California, United States. It is located in San Mateo County, about 14 miles (23 km) south of Financial District, San Francisco.[4][5]

San Francisco International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
Owner/OperatorCity and County of San Francisco
ServesSan Francisco Bay Area
LocationSan Mateo County, California, U.S.
OpenedMay 7, 1927; 96 years ago (1927-05-07)
Hub for
Elevation AMSL13 ft / 4 m
Coordinates37°37′08″N 122°22′30″W / 37.61889°N 122.37500°W / 37.61889; -122.37500
Websiteflysfo.com
Maps
FAA airport diagram
FAA airport diagram
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
10L/28R 11,870 3,618 Asphalt
10R/28L 11,381 3,469 Asphalt
01R/19L 8,650 2,637 Asphalt
01L/19R 7,650 2,332 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
Total Passengers50,196,094
Aircraft operations384,871
Total cargo (tonnes)484,100
Source: San Francisco International Airport[1] and FAA[2][3]

SFO is the largest airport in the San Francisco Bay Area and the second-busiest in California, after Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). In 2017, it was the seventh-busiest airport in the United States and the 24th-busiest in the world by passenger count.[6] It is the fifth-largest hub for United Airlines, functioning as the airline's primary transpacific gateway, and is a major maintenance hub. It also serves as a hub for Alaska Airlines.

The airport is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco and has a mailing address with a ZIP code assigned to San Francisco. Between 1999 and 2004, the San Francisco Airport Commission operated city-owned SFO Enterprises Inc to oversee its business purchases and operations of ventures.[7][8][9][10]

History edit

 
Mills Field, San Francisco Airport (c. 1930s)

The City and County of San Francisco first leased 150 acres (61 ha) at the present airport site on March 15, 1927, for what was then to be a temporary and experimental airport project.[11] San Francisco held a dedication ceremony at the airfield, officially named the Mills Field Municipal Airport of San Francisco, on May 7, 1927,[12] on the 150-acre cow pasture. The land was leased from the Mills Estate in an agreement made with Ogden L. Mills who oversaw the large tracts of property originally acquired by his grandfather, the banker Darius O. Mills. San Francisco purchased the property and the surrounding area expanding the site to 1,112 acres (450 ha) beginning in August 1930.[11] The airport's name was officially changed to San Francisco Airport in 1931 upon the purchase of the land. "International" was added at the end of World War II as overseas service rapidly expanded.[citation needed]

Early operations edit

The earliest scheduled carriers at the airport included Western Air Express, Maddux Air Lines, and Century Pacific Lines.[11] United Airlines was formed in 1934 and quickly became the key carrier at the airport, with Douglas DC-3 service to Los Angeles and New York beginning in January 1937. A new passenger terminal opened in 1937, built with Public Works Administration funding.[11] The March 1939 Official Aviation Guide shows 18 airline departures on weekdays—seventeen United flights and one TWA flight. The August 1952 chart shows runway 1L 7,000 feet long, 1R 7,750 feet, 28L 6,500 feet, and 28R 8,870 feet.

In addition to United, Pacific Seaboard Air Lines flew between San Francisco and Los Angeles in 1933; the Bellanca CH-300s flew San Francisco–San Jose–Salinas–Monterey–Paso Robles–San Luis Obispo–Santa Maria–Santa Barbara–Los Angeles.[13] Competition with United led Pacific Seaboard to move all of its operations to the eastern U.S., and rename itself Chicago and Southern Air Lines (C&S). It became a large domestic and international air carrier. Chicago & Southern was acquired by and merged into Delta Air Lines in 1953, giving Delta its first international routes.[14] Delta used the route authority inherited from C&S to fly one of its first international services operated with Convair 880 jet aircraft from San Francisco to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Caracas, Venezuela, via intermediate stops in Dallas and New Orleans in 1962.[15]

World War II edit

During World War II, the airport was used as a Coast Guard base and Army Air Corps training and staging base. The base was called Naval Auxiliary Air Facility Mills Field and Coast Guard Air Station, San Francisco.[16] Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), which had operated international flying boat service from Treasure Island, had to move its Pacific and Alaska seaplane operations to SFO in 1944 after Treasure Island was expropriated for use as a military base.[citation needed] Pan Am began service from SFO after World War II with five weekly flights to Honolulu, one of which continued to Canton Island, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Auckland.[citation needed]

International operations edit

The first service by foreign carriers was on Australian National Airways (ANA) Douglas DC-4s flown by British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines: Sydney–Auckland–Fiji–Kanton Island–Honolulu–San Francisco–Vancouver, BC. The first flight left Australia on September 15, 1946.[17] In 1947 Pan American World Airways began its "round the world" flights from SFO to Guam, Japan, the Philippines, China and other countries; Pan Am also flew to Sydney from SFO.[18] The year 1947 saw the start of United Airlines Douglas DC-6 flights to Hawaii and Philippine Airlines flights to Manila.[11]

TWA began flying Lockheed Constellations (L-1649A's) nonstop to London Heathrow and Paris Orly in 1957.[19][20] In 1954 Qantas took over the ANA/BCPA route from SFO to Sydney; starting in 1959 their Boeing 707s flew to Sydney via Honolulu and Nadi, Fiji, and in the other direction to New York and London.[21] Pan Am scheduled Boeing 707-320s from Tokyo nonstop to SFO (winter only at first) starting in 1960–61; the westbound nonstops had to await the longer range Boeing 707-320B. British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC, a predecessor of British Airways) arrived in 1957; in 1960 its Bristol Britannias flew London–New York City–San Francisco–Honolulu–Wake Island–Tokyo–Hong Kong as part of BOAC's around-the-world service.[22] By 1961 BOAC had replaced the Britannias with Boeing 707s that did not require the fuel stop at the Wake Island Airfield.[23] Japan Airlines (JAL) arrived at SFO in 1954; in 1961 it was flying Douglas DC-8s San Francisco–Honolulu–Tokyo.[24] In 1961 Lufthansa had begun serving SFO with Boeing 707s flying San Francisco–Montreal Dorval Airport–Paris Orly Airport–Frankfurt three days a week.[25] Lufthansa operated Boeing 720Bs on this routing in 1963 along with Boeing 707s to Frankfurt via Montreal and London Heathrow Airport.[26] Pan Am/Panagra service from SFO to South America was taken over in the late 1960s by Braniff International, which operated Douglas DC-8-62s to SFO after Braniff's acquisition of Panagra.[27] In 1970 CP Air (formerly Canadian Pacific Air Lines) Boeing 737-200s flew nonstop to Vancouver, BC, and on to Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.[28]

Domestic expansion edit

 
Opening gala at the Central Passenger Terminal on August 27, 1954

The first nonstops to the U.S. east coast were United Douglas DC-7s in 1954. The airport's new Terminal Building opened on August 27, 1954. The large display of aircraft including a Convair B-36 Peacemaker bomber, was a marvel for its time.[29][30] The building became the Central Terminal with the addition of the South Terminal and the North Terminal and was heavily rebuilt as the International Terminal in 1984 and then modified again as the current Terminal 2. Domestically, the April 1957 Official Airline Guide (OAG) lists 71 scheduled weekday departures on United (plus ten flights a week to Honolulu), 22 on Western Airlines, 19 on Southwest Airways (which was later renamed Pacific Air Lines), 12 on Trans World Airlines (TWA), seven on American Airlines and three on Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA). As for international flights, Pan American had 21 departures a week, Japan Airlines (JAL) had five, and Qantas also had five.[citation needed]

Southwest/Pacific/Air West edit

 
Southwest Airways C-47 landing at SFO in 1948

Southwest Airways began flying scheduled passenger operations from SFO in 1946 with war surplus C-47s, the military version of the Douglas DC-3. In the late 1950s, Southwest Airways changed its name to Pacific Air Lines, which was based at SFO.[31]

In 1959, Pacific Air Lines began flying new Fairchild F-27s from SFO[32] and by 1966 was flying new Boeing 727-100s from the airport.[33] Pacific used the 727 to introduce the first jet service from San Francisco to several cities in California including Bakersfield, Eureka/Arcata, Fresno, Lake Tahoe, Monterey and Santa Barbara.

In 1968 Pacific merged with Bonanza Air Lines and West Coast Airlines to form Air West, which also had its headquarters at SFO. West Coast Airlines had served SFO mainly with Douglas DC-9-10s and Fairchild F-27s to Oregon and Washington states.[34] In 1970, Air West was acquired by Howard Hughes who renamed the airline Hughes Airwest, which continued to be based at the airport where it also operated a hub. By the late 1970s, the airline was operating an all-jet fleet of Boeing 727-200, Douglas DC-9-10, and McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 jetliners serving an extensive route network in the western U.S. with flights to Mexico and western Canada as well.[35] Hughes Airwest was eventually acquired by Minneapolis-based Republic Airlines (1979–1986) in 1980 and the airline's headquarters office at SFO was closed.

Jet age edit

The jet age arrived at SFO in March 1959 when TWA introduced Boeing 707-131s nonstop to New York Idlewild Airport (which was renamed JFK Airport in 1963). United then constructed a large maintenance facility in San Francisco for its new Douglas DC-8s, which were also flying nonstop to New York. In July 1959 the first jetway bridge was installed at SFO, one of the first in the United States. On the cover of January 3, 1960, American Airlines timetable contained this message: "NOW! 707 JET FLAGSHIP SERVICE – NONSTOP SAN FRANCISCO – NEW YORK: 2 FLIGHTS DAILY"[36] Also in 1960, Western Airlines was operating "champagne flights" with Boeing 707s and Lockheed L-188 Electras to Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego and Portland, OR.[37]

In 1961 the airport had helicopter service on San Francisco and Oakland Helicopter Airlines (known as SFO Helicopter Airlines, and as SFO Helicopter) with 68 flights a day. Helicopters flew from SFO to downtown heliports in San Francisco and Oakland, to a new heliport near the Berkeley Marina and to Oakland Airport (OAK). In its timetable, SFO Helicopter Airlines, which was based at the airport, described its rotorcraft as "modern, jet turbine powered Sikorsky S-62 ten passenger amphibious helicopters".[38][39]

By 1962 Delta Air Lines was flying Convair 880s to SFO on one its first international jet services, San Francisco–Dallas Love Field–New Orleans–Montego Bay, Jamaica–Caracas, Venezuela.[15] Also in 1962, National Airlines began flying Douglas DC-8s San Francisco–Houston Hobby Airport–New Orleans–Miami.[40]

Service in California edit

By 1960, all Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) flights out of SFO were operated with Lockheed L-188 Electras nonstop to Los Angeles (LAX) and Burbank (BUR, now Bob Hope Airport) with some flights continuing to San Diego.[41] In summer 1962 PSA had 14 departures a day Monday through Thursday to southern California, 21 departures on Friday and 22 on Sunday. In 1965 PSA was operating new Boeing 727-100s which were joined in 1967 by Boeing 727-200s and McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30s.[42] In 1974 PSA was flying two wide body Lockheed L-1011 TriStars.[42] After the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, PSA expanded outside of California.

In 1967, another intrastate airline joined PSA at SFO: Air California, flying Lockheed L-188 Electras nonstop to Orange County Airport (SNA, now John Wayne Airport).[citation needed] Like PSA, Air California (later renamed AirCal) eventually became an all-jet airline and expanded outside of California. AirCal was merged into American Airlines while PSA was merged into USAir (later renamed US Airways which in turn eventually merged with American Airlines).

Earthquake and planned Bay fill expansion edit

 
San Francisco International Airport at night

The airport closed following the Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17, 1989, reopening the following morning.[43] Minor damage to the runways was quickly repaired.[44]

In 1989, a master plan and Environmental Impact Report were prepared to guide development over the next two decades.[45] During the boom of the 1990s and the dot-com boom SFO became the sixth busiest airport in the world, but since 2001, when the boom ended, SFO has fallen out of the top 20.[46] United Express turboprops were scheduled 60 minutes apart to the shuttle connecting passengers between SFO and nearby San Jose International Airport during the boom era.[citation needed] United Groundlink supplemented this service with alternate 60-minute frequencies.

 
San Francisco International Terminal at night

A $2.4 billion International Terminal Complex opened in December 2000, replacing Terminal 2 (known then as the International Terminal).[30] The new International Terminal includes the San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Museum and Library and the Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum, as part of the SFO Museum.[47] SFO's long-running museum exhibition program, now called SFO Museum, won unprecedented accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums in 1999.[48]

SFO experiences delays (known as flow control) in overcast weather when only two of the airport's four runways can be used at a time because the centerlines of the parallel runway sets (01R/01L and 28R/28L) are only 750 feet (230 m) apart. Airport planners advanced proposals that would extend the airport's runways by adding up to 2 square miles (1,300 acres; 520 ha) of fill to San Francisco Bay and increase their separation by up to 4,300 feet (1,300 m) in 1998 to accommodate arrivals and departures during periods of low visibility. Other proposals included three floating runways, each approximately 12,000 feet (3,700 m) long and 1,000 feet (300 m) wide.[49] The airport would be required by law to restore Bay land elsewhere in the Bay Area to offset the fill. One mitigation proposal would have the airport purchase and restore the 29,000 acres (12,000 ha) of South Bay wetlands owned by Cargill Salt to compensate for the new fill.[50][51] These expansion proposals met resistance from environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, fearing damage to the habitat of animals near the airport, recreational degradation (such as windsurfing) and bay water quality.[50][52]

State Senator John L. Burton introduced SB 1562 on February 18, 2000, to bypass the environmental impact study that would normally be required for a large project like the proposed Bay fill and mitigation in order to expedite construction. SB 1562 was signed into law on September 29, 2000.[53][54] A study commissioned by the airport and released in 2001 stated that alternatives to airport expansion, such as redirecting traffic to other regional airports (Oakland or San Jose), capping the number of flights, or charging higher landing fees at selected times of the day would result in higher fares and poorer service.[55] However, the proposal to build new runways on Bay fill continued to attract opposition from environmental groups and local residents.[56] The airport expansion cost was estimated at US$1,400,000,000 (equivalent to $2,510,000,000 in 2022) in 1998,[57] rising to US$2,200,000,000 (equivalent to $3,860,000,000 in 2022) a year later, including an estimate of US$200,000,000 (equivalent to $351,000,000 in 2022) for the Cargill wetlands purchase and restoration.[58]

The delays during poor weather (among other reasons) caused some airlines, especially low-cost carriers such as Southwest Airlines, to shift all of their services from SFO to the Oakland and San Jose airports. However, Southwest eventually returned to San Francisco in 2007.[59]

BART to SFO edit

A long-planned extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system to the airport opened on June 22, 2003, allowing passengers to board BART trains at the international or domestic terminals and have direct rail transportation to downtown San Francisco, Oakland, and the East Bay.[60] On February 24, 2003, the AirTrain people mover opened, transporting passengers between terminals, parking lots, the BART station, and the rental car center on small automatic trains.

Recent developments edit

SFO became the base of operations for start-up airline Virgin America, with service to over 20 destinations. On October 4, 2007, an Airbus A380 jumbo jet made its first visit to SFO.[61] On July 14, 2008, SFO was voted Best International Airport in North America for 2008 in the World Airports Survey by Skytrax.[62] The following year on June 9, Skytrax announced SFO as the second-best International Airport in North America in the 2009 World Airports Survey, losing to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.[63]

 
New control tower (photographed in 2018)

In response to longstanding FAA concerns that the airport's air traffic control tower, located atop Terminal 2, could not withstand a major earthquake, on July 9, 2012, crews broke ground for a new torch-shaped tower.[64] The new tower is located between Terminals 1 and 2, and the base of the tower building contains passages between the two terminals for passengers both pre- and post-security screening, which dictated the narrow tower base.[65] Originally scheduled for completion in the summer of 2016 at a cost of $102 million, the new tower began operations on October 15, 2016.[66]

SFO was one of several US airports that operated the Registered Traveler program from April 2007 until funding ended in June 2009. This program let travelers who had paid for pre-screening pass through security checkpoints quickly.[67][68] Baggage and passenger screening is operated by Covenant Aviation Security, a Transportation Security Administration contractor, nicknamed "Team SFO". SFO was the first airport in the United States to integrate in-line baggage screening into its baggage handling system and has been a model for other airports since the September 11 attacks in 2001.

In September 2018, SFO announced plans to use sustainable fuels after signing an agreement with fuel suppliers, airlines, and agencies.[69] As part of the agreement, Shell and SkyNRG began supplying sustainable aviation fuel to KLM, SAS, and Finnair flights operating out of SFO.[70][71]

Like all airports, SFO sustained a massive decline in traffic in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[72] The only upside was that the decline reduced traffic to levels easily handled in all weather conditions.[72] In 2022, SFO was ranked no. 1 by The Wall Street Journal on its list of Best Large U.S. Airports, on which the airport was ranked no. 1 for both reliability and convenience.[72]

Runways edit

 
FAA runway diagram of SFO, with color added to terminals and runways

The airport covers 5,207 acres (21.07 km2) at an elevation of 13.1 feet (4.0 m).[2][73] It has four asphalt runways, arranged in two intersecting sets of parallel runways:[74]

  • Runway 01L/19R: 7,650 ft × 200 ft (2,332 m × 61 m), surface: asphalt, has approved GPS approaches
  • Runway 01R/19L: 8,650 ft × 200 ft (2,637 m × 61 m), surface: asphalt, ILS/DME equipped, and has approved GPS/VOR approaches
  • Runway 10L/28R: 11,870 ft × 200 ft (3,618 m × 61 m), surface: asphalt, Category III ILS/DME equipped, and has approved GPS approaches
  • Runway 10R/28L: 11,381 ft × 200 ft (3,469 m × 61 m), surface: asphalt, ILS/DME equipped, and has approved GPS approaches[2]

Runways are named for their magnetic heading, to the nearest ten degrees; hence the runways at 14°[75] from magnetic north are 01L/01R, and the runways at 284° are 28R/28L. The layout of the parallel runways (1L/1R and 28R/28L) was established in the 1950s, and have a separation (centerline to centerline) of only 750 feet (230 m).[74]

During normal operations (approximately 81% of the time), domestic departures use Runways 1L and 1R for departure while overseas international departures and all arrivals use Runways 28L and 28R, taking advantage of the prevailing west-northwesterly wind coming through the San Bruno Gap. During periods of heavy winds or if operations at Oakland International Airport conflict with SFO departures (approximately 15% of the time), Runways 1L and 1R cannot be used, and so all departures and all arrivals use Runways 28L and 28R. These configurations are known collectively as the West Plan, and accommodate arrivals at a rate of up to 60 aircraft per hour.[74][76] Under visual flight rules, aircraft may safely land side-by-side essentially simultaneously on 28L and 28R while maintaining visual separation.[74][77]

When the visual approach is compromised, the West Plan is maintained with a modification to allow aircraft landing on 28L to use Instrument Landing System (ILS) while the aircraft landing on 28R takes an offset course, monitored via high scan rate ground radar, to maintain a lateral spacing greater than 750 ft until the aircraft can maintain visual separation. Visual separation typically occurs once the aircraft has descended below the cloud deck at an altitude of 2,100 feet (640 m). This is known as the Precision Runway Monitor/Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approach and reduces the capacity to 36 arriving aircraft per hour. In poor visibility conditions, FAA instrument approach rules require aircraft to maintain lateral separation of 4,300 feet (1,300 m), meaning only one runway may be used, reducing the capacity of SFO to 25-30 arriving aircraft per hour.[74][77]

During rainstorms (approximately 4% of the time), the prevailing winds shift to a south-southeasterly direction, and departing aircraft use Runways 10L and 10R, and arriving aircraft use Runways 19L and 19R. This configuration is known as the Southeast Plan.[74][78]

On rare occasions (less than one day per year, on average), wind conditions dictate other runway configurations, including departures and landings on Runways 10L and 10R, departures and landings on Runways 1L and 1R, and departures on Runways 19L and 19R and landings on Runways 28L and 28R.

Based aircraft and operations edit

In 2019, SFO had 458,496 aircraft operations, an average of 1,255 per day. This consisted of 86% scheduled commercial, 11% air taxi, 2% general aviation and <1% military. There were 14 aircraft based at SFO, 6 jets, 1 helicopter and 7 military aircraft.[2]

Aircraft noise abatement edit

SFO was one of the first airports to implement a Fly Quiet Program, which grades airlines on their performance on noise abatement procedures while flying in and out of SFO. The Jon C. Long Fly Quiet Program[79] was started by the Aircraft Noise Abatement Office to encourage airlines to operate as quietly as possible at SFO.

SFO was one of the first U.S. airports to conduct a residential sound abatement retrofitting program. Established by the FAA in the early 1980s, this program evaluated the cost-effectiveness of reducing interior sound levels for homes near the airport, within the 65 CNEL noise contour. The program made use of a noise computer model to predict improvement in specific residential interiors for a variety of noise control strategies. This pilot program was conducted for a neighborhood in South San Francisco and success was achieved in all of the homes analyzed. The costs turned out to be modest, and the post-construction interior sound level tests confirmed the predictions for noise abatement. To date over $153 million has been spent to insulate more than 15,000 homes in the neighboring cities of Daly City, Pacifica, San Bruno, and South San Francisco.[80]

Terminals edit

 
Terminal map of SFO

The airport has four terminals (1, 2, 3, and International) and seven concourses (Boarding Areas A through G) with a total of 115 gates arranged alphabetically in a counterclockwise ring. Terminal 1 (Boarding Area B), Terminal 2 (Boarding Areas C and D), and Terminal 3 (Boarding Areas E and F) handle domestic and precleared flights. The International Terminal (Boarding Areas A and G) handles international flights and some domestic flights.

Historically, the oldest terminal building still standing is Terminal 2, which was originally completed in 1954 as the Central Terminal with four concourses (Piers B, C, D, and E, lettered sequentially from north to south).[81] Terminal 1 was added as the South Terminal in 1963 with Piers F/FF (Pier F had two satellite rotundas) and G, and Pier E was reassigned to the South Terminal upon its completion. International traffic was routed through Pier G, and a new Rotunda G was completed in 1974 to expand Pier G. Terminal 3 was added as the North Terminal in 1979 with Pier A. Also, once the North Terminal was completed in 1979, the piers were renamed counterclockwise, with letter designations corresponding to present-day Boarding Areas, starting with Pier A (present-day Boarding Area A, originally Pier G), Pier B (present-day Boarding Area B, originally Pier F/FF), Pier C (present-day Boarding Area C, originally Pier E), and Pier F (present-day Boarding Area F, originally Pier A).[82] A new Pier E was added to the North Terminal in 1981 approximately where the old Pier B stood, and the Central Terminal was rebuilt with a single pier (D) to serve international flights in 1983, until a new International Terminal opened in 2000. Since then, the terminals were renamed with numbers in 2001, and the older terminals are in the process of renovation. A rebuild of Terminal 2 (formerly the Central Terminal) was completed in 2011, followed by the completion of the rebuild of Terminal 3 East (North Terminal Pier E) in 2015. The rebuild of Terminal 1 (South Terminal) will be complete by late 2024.[83][84]

Airside connectors edit

 
Airside connector between International Terminal and Terminal 3

There are airside connectors at SFO that enable passengers to move between adjacent terminal buildings while staying within the secure area.

Connectors currently connect the A gates of International Terminal to the B gates of Terminal 1 and the C gates of Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, Terminal 2 to 3, and Terminal 3 to the International Terminal G gates.[85][86][87][88][89]

By 2024, the opening of an expanded Terminal 1 lobby and post-security area will reconnect Boarding Area C with the rest of renovated Terminal 1.[90] This means that all gates at the airport will be connected within the secure area.

There are no airside connectors between the International Terminal A and G gates.

Harvey Milk Terminal 1 edit

 
Artwork memorializing gay rights activist and former San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk (1930–1978)
 
Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Community Day, July 2019

Formerly known as the "South Terminal", Harvey Milk Terminal 1[91] is composed of Boarding Area B, which currently has 18 gates (gates B6-B9, B12-B14, B17, B18, and B19-B27). Prior to June 23, 2020, Boarding Area C was also considered part of Terminal 1. A third boarding area, Rotunda A, was demolished in early 2006, as its functions had been taken over by the new International Terminal.

The South Terminal, which cost US$14,000,000 (equivalent to $133,820,000 in 2022),[92] was initially dedicated on September 15, 1963.[93] The terminal was designed by Welton Becket and Associates.[94] When it opened, the South Terminal had three piers: Pier G (for international flights, approximately at the same location as the present-day Boarding Area (B/A) A in the International Terminal), Pier F/FF (used by Trans World Airlines (TWA) and Western Airlines, later renamed B/A B), and Pier E (used by American Airlines; originally part of Terminal 2, approximately at the present-day B/A C).[95] The three-level Rotunda A addition was completed in 1974 at the end of Pier G.[96][97][98] When the North Terminal was completed in 1979, Pier G was renamed Pier A, with the other piers renamed in a counterclockwise direction proceeding from the new Pier A.[83] International flights were moved to the rebuilt Central Terminal (Terminal 2) in 1983, and then to the new International Terminal in 2000.

The South Terminal underwent a US$150,000,000 (equivalent to $371,160,000 in 2022) renovation designed by Howard A. Friedman and Associates,[99] Marquis Associates and Wong & Brocchini[100] that was completed in 1988. Terminal 1 is undergoing a US$2,400,000,000 (equivalent to $2,926,460,000 in 2022) project to modernize the concourse and add gates;[101] the project broke ground on June 29, 2016. The phase of the project to expand Boarding Area B includes the demolition of the old TWA hangar, the demolition of the two rotundas, and the relocation of two taxiways.[95] The multi-phase project will yield a total of 24 gates when complete in 2020 (the existing Boarding Area B has fewer than 20 usable gates), including a secure Federal Inspection Services (FIS) connector to the existing customs facilities in the International Terminal.[102] This will effectively add six new gates that can handle international arrivals. Planning for a renovation of Boarding Area C is underway, with construction to commence after the completion of work on Boarding Area B. The projected completion date for Boarding Area C work is mid-2024.[95]

In April 2018, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and mayor Mark Farrell approved and signed legislation renaming Terminal 1 after deceased gay rights activist and former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Harvey Milk, and planned to install artwork memorializing him. This followed a previous attempt to rename the entire airport after him, which was turned down.[103][104] Following the art and photo installation, the renamed terminal was opened to the media and public for preview tours in advance of its official opening on July 23, 2019.[91] Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is the world's first airport terminal named after a leader of the LGBTQ community.[91]

The first nine gates at the newly reconstructed Boarding Area B opened on July 23, 2019, with Southwest Airlines and JetBlue becoming the first tenants. JetBlue operates two gates preferentially (B6 and B7) and shares one with Southwest (B8), while Southwest operates five gates preferentially (B9, B12-B14, and B17).[105] In late-April 2020, the terminal's new lobby opened, with new ticket counters for Southwest and JetBlue, and a new permanent exhibit honoring Milk.[106][107] On May 12, 2020, in conjunction with the launch of nine new gates at Boarding Area B (B19-B27), American Airlines moved into the new facility, with new ticket counters, baggage systems, and a new Admirals Club lounge. American operates six of the nine new gates preferentially (B22-B27).[108][109] The final seven Boarding Area B gates (B2-B5, B10-B11, B15-B16) in the new terminal opened on May 25, 2021.[110]

Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines are scheduled to move in eventually.[105] As of 2022, Hawaiian Airlines and WestJet have moved a few of their departures into B Gates at Terminal 1, but check-in counters remain in International Terminal A. In 2024, Alaska Airlines will move all of its operations from Terminal 2 into Harvey Milk Terminal 1, in order to be closer to their Oneworld partner American Airlines.[111]

Terminal 2 edit

Formerly known as the "Central Terminal", Terminal 2 is composed of Boarding Area C, which has 10 gates (gates C2-C11), and Boarding Area D, which has 15 gates (D1-D12 and D14-D16). The D gates is where Alaska Airlines has its hub. Gate D13 does not exist as the number has been reserved for future development.[112]

Terminal 2 opened in 1954 as the main airport terminal. After a drastic rebuilding designed by Gensler, it replaced Rotunda A as SFO's international terminal in 1983[113][114] until it was closed for renovation after the current international terminal opened in 2000. The initial plan was to convert Terminal 2 for domestic travel and reopen it by fall 2001, but the loss of passenger traffic after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 put those plans on hold. The upper levels continued to be used as office spaces and for the airport's medical clinic, and the control tower remained in use.[115]

On May 12, 2008, a US$383,000,000 (equivalent to $520,570,000 in 2022) renovation project was announced that included a new control tower, the use of green materials, a seismic retrofit, and an expansion from ten to fourteen gates.[115][116] The terminal reopened for commercial travel on April 14, 2011, with Virgin America (later Alaska Airlines) and American Airlines sharing the new 14-gate common-use facility.[117] Approximately a week earlier, on April 6, 2011, Virgin America's ceremonial flight VX2001 was the first to arrive at the renovated Terminal 2, an Airbus A320 bearing founder Richard Branson with other invited celebrity guests, such as Buzz Aldrin, Rachel Hunter, and Gavin Newsom. VX2001 had rendezvoused with White Knight Two/SpaceShipTwo over Point Reyes before making a side-by-side landing.[118] The newly renovated terminal also designed by Gensler features permanent art installations from Janet Echelman, Kendall Buster, Norie Sato, Charles Sowers, and Walter Kitundu.[113][119][120] Transition zones (the immediate post-security line area for "passenger recomposure") and exit areas (where disembarking passengers may be greeted) were designed with generous space.[121][122] Terminal 2 set accolades by being the first U.S. airport to achieve LEED Gold status.[123] Paolo Lucchesi, a local food critic, noted the sustainable food and dining program featuring local vendors and sources.[124][125]

Following the construction of a new control tower in 2016, the tower and the offices above the terminal were demolished and new office space was constructed in their place. On February 14, 2020, a new public, outdoor observation deck, called SkyTerrace, was opened in the new office space.[126]

Until May 12, 2020, American's check-in counters were consolidated to T2, but its operations were split between Boarding Area D and Boarding Area C (linked via an airside connector). Following American's move to T1, the existing Admirals Club location was converted to an Alaska lounge.[127]

As of June 23, 2020, SFO advertises Boarding Area C as part of Terminal 2 due to construction.[128] During the construction of Boarding Area B, Boarding Area C continues to operate, with Delta Air Lines operating as the main tenant.

Air Canada and Breeze Airways have moved into Terminal 2 during 2022-Q1. As a result, all check-ins and departures from Air Canada are no longer operating at the International Terminal.

Terminal 3 edit

 
Terminal 3 interior

Formerly known as the "North Terminal", Terminal 3 is composed of Boarding Area E with 13 gates (gates E1-E13) and Boarding Area F with 23 gates (gates F1-F3, F3A, F4-F22). Terminal 3 is used for United Airlines' domestic flights. Mainline United and United Express flights use both boarding areas.[129]

This $82.44 million terminal was originally designed by San Francisco Airport Architects (a joint venture of John Carl Warnecke and Associates, Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture, and minority architects).[130] The groundbreaking ceremony for the North Terminal was held on April 22, 1971,[131] and Boarding Area F opened in 1979 and Boarding Area E opened in 1981.[132] All terminals (except the International Terminal) were redesignated by number starting October 1, 2001.[133]

A solar roof was installed in 2007 with sufficient generating capacity to power all Terminal 3 lights during the day.[134] American Airlines[135] and Air Canada[136] occupied Boarding Area E until it closed for refurbishment in 2011 under the airport's FY 2010/11 – FY 2014/15 Capital Plan. Designed by Gensler, the renovation. included architectural enhancements, structural renovations, replacement of HVAC systems, roof repair, and new carpeting.[137] Initial modest renovation plans were replaced by a more ambitious project after the popularity of the remodeling of Terminal 2.[138] After the completion of the US$138,000,000 (equivalent to $170,590,000 in 2022) project, Boarding Area E reopened on January 28, 2014, followed by Terminal 3 East on November 18, 2014[139][140][141] The project moved one gate from Boarding Area F to Boarding Area E to provide a total of ten aircraft parking positions at T3E.[142] Following a 2019 renumbering of all gates at SFO, three additional gates moved from Boarding Area F to Boarding Area E, with the latter now containing 13 gates.[112] In 2020, airport officials shelved a renovation for Terminal 3 West.[143] However, as of 2023, the airport hopes to break ground in 2024.[144] The project would seismically retrofit part of Terminal 3 and add the capability to handle international arrivals to up to four gates.

There are three United Clubs in Terminal 3—one near the rotunda for Boarding Area F, one on the mezzanine across from gate E2, and another at the beginning of Boarding Area E. Terminal 3 also houses the American Express Centurion Lounge, located across from Gate F2.

International Terminal edit

 
The International Terminal
 
Interior of the International Terminal check-in area

The International Terminal is composed of Boarding Areas A and G. Designed by Craig W. Hartman of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the terminal opened in December 2000 to replace the International Departures section of Terminal 2. It is the largest international terminal in North America, and the largest building in the world built on base isolators to protect against earthquakes.[145] Food service focuses on quick service versions of leading San Francisco Bay Area restaurants, following other SFO terminals. Planners attempted to make the airport a destination in and of itself, not just for travelers passing through.[146] The international terminal is a common-use facility, with all gates and all ticketing areas shared among international airlines and several domestic carriers. Common-use terminal equipment (CUTE) is used at check-in counters and gates.[147] All international arrivals and departures are handled here (except flights from cities with customs preclearance). The International Terminal houses the airport's BART station, adjacent to the garage leading to Boarding Area G. The SFO Medical Clinic is located next to the security screening area of Boarding Area A. All gates in this terminal have at least two jetway bridges, except gates A3 and A12, which have one. Gates A1 and A2 can accommodate two aircraft. Six of the gates are designed for the Airbus A380, making SFO one of the first airports in the world with such gates when it was built in 2000.[148] Gate A11 has three jetways for boarding.[149] Four other gates have two jetways fitted for A380 service.[149]

The International Terminal completed a continuous ring of terminals, by filling in the last remaining gap to the west of then-existing terminals. Its geometry required that the terminal structure be built above the main access road, at enormous expense, including building dedicated ramps for connectivity to Highway 101. The design and construction of the international terminal was by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Del Campo & Maru Architects, Michael Willis Associates, and built by Tutor Perini (main terminal building), Hellmuth, Obata, and Kassabaum in association with Robin Chiang & Company, Robert B. Wong Architects, and built by Tutor Perini (Boarding Area G), and Gerson/Overstreet Architects and built by Hensel Phelps Construction (Boarding Area A).[145] The contracts were awarded after an architectural design competition.

 
United Airlines planes at the International Terminal in July 2022

Most international flights operated by Star Alliance carriers, including all United international flights and select United domestic flights, are assigned to Boarding Area G's 14 gates (G1-G14).[150] Most international flights operated by SkyTeam, Oneworld, and non-aligned international carriers board and deplane at Boarding Area A's 15 gates (gates A1–A15). However, Star Alliance carrier Avianca El Salvador operates out of Boarding Area A, and non-aligned carriers Aer Lingus, Fiji Airways, and WestJet typically park at Boarding Area G. Boarding Area A is also used by domestic carriers Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines. When all gates in an airline's designated international boarding area are full, the passengers will board or deplane from the opposite international boarding area. Aer Lingus, Flair Airlines, and WestJet operate from airports with United States border preclearance, allowing arriving passengers to skip the wait at customs and immigration when they arrive at SFO, and exit the airport from the departure level.

The two main designations for the International Terminal are "I", and "INTL" (abbreviations for "International"). Oftentimes travel itineraries will say "T-I", and this has led to instances where passengers misinterpret the "I" as Terminal 1, especially since both Boarding Area A and Boarding Area G are used for a limited number of domestic flights.[who?]

In 2024, the airport announced that the International Terminal would be renamed after the late senator and former mayor Dianne Feinstein.[151] The departures main hall is already named after the late mayor Ed Lee.

SFO Museum edit

 
SFO Museum entrance

SFO Museum was created in 1980 as a collaboration between the San Francisco Airport Commission and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and was the first museum in an international airport.[152] It was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in 1999, and contains both permanent artwork and temporary exhibitions in more than 20 galleries. The Aviation Museum and Library (officially, the San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum) is located in the International Terminal, featuring a model of a DC-3. Other prominent installations include works by:[153][154]

Frequent travelers and airline staff have reportedly told SFO Museum officials they make it a point to arrive to the airport early in order to view the galleries.[155]

Airlines and destinations edit

Passenger edit

AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Aer Lingus Dublin [156]
Aeroméxico Guadalajara, Mexico City [157]
Air Canada Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson, Vancouver [158]
Air Canada Express Edmonton [158]
Air China Beijing–Capital [159]
Air France Paris–Charles de Gaulle [160]
Air India Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai [161][162]
Air New Zealand Auckland [163]
Air Premia Seoul–Incheon (begins May 17, 2024) [164]
Alaska Airlines Austin, Boise, Boston, Burbank,[165] Cancún, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas–Love (ends April 10, 2024),[166] Everett, Honolulu, Kahului, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Newark, New York–JFK, Orange County, Orlando, Palm Springs, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Portland (OR), Puerto Vallarta, Redmond/Bend, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San José del Cabo, Seattle/Tacoma, Spokane, Washington–Dulles, Washington–National
Seasonal: Anchorage, Bozeman, Fort Lauderdale, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Jackson Hole, Loreto, Mazatlán, Tampa
[167]
All Nippon Airways Tokyo–Haneda, Tokyo–Narita [168]
American Airlines Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York–JFK, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor [169]
American Eagle Los Angeles, Phoenix–Sky Harbor [169]
Asiana Airlines Seoul–Incheon [170]
Avianca El Salvador San Salvador [171]
Breeze Airways Cincinnati, Louisville, Provo, Richmond, San Bernardino
Seasonal: Grand Junction (begins May 22, 2024)[172]
[173]
British Airways London–Heathrow [174]
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong [175]
China Airlines Taipei–Taoyuan [176]
China Eastern Airlines Shanghai–Pudong [177]
China Southern Airlines Guangzhou (resumes April 6, 2024),[178] Wuhan [179]
Condor Seasonal: Frankfurt [180]
Copa Airlines Panama City–Tocumen [181]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–JFK, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma [182]
Delta Connection Seattle/Tacoma [182]
Emirates Dubai–International [183]
EVA Air Taipei–Taoyuan [184]
Fiji Airways Nadi [185]
Flair Airlines Vancouver [186]
French Bee Papeete, Paris–Orly [187]
Frontier Airlines Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles (begins April 10, 2024),[188] Las Vegas, Ontario, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Portland (OR) (begins April 10, 2024),[188] Salt Lake City (begins April 10, 2024),[188] San Diego (begins April 10, 2024)[188]
Seasonal: Chicago–Midway, Detroit, Orlando
[189]
Hawaiian Airlines Honolulu, Kahului [190]
Iberia Seasonal: Madrid [191]
ITA Airways Rome–Fiumicino [192]
Japan Airlines Tokyo–Haneda, Tokyo–Narita [193]
JetBlue Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York–JFK
Seasonal: Cancún
[194]
KLM Amsterdam [195]
Korean Air Seoul–Incheon [196]
Level Seasonal: Barcelona [197]
Lufthansa Frankfurt, Munich [198]
Philippine Airlines Manila [199]
Porter Airlines Toronto–Pearson
Seasonal: Montréal–Trudeau (begins June 28, 2024)[200]
[201]
Qantas Sydney [202][203]
Qatar Airways Doha [204]
Scandinavian Airlines Copenhagen [205]
Singapore Airlines Singapore [206]
Southwest Airlines Chicago–Midway, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, San Diego, St. Louis[207]
Seasonal: Dallas–Love (resumes June 8, 2024)[208]
[209][210]
Starlux Airlines Taipei–Taoyuan [211]
Sun Country Airlines Minneapolis/St. Paul [212]
Swiss International Air Lines Zürich [213]
TAP Air Portugal Lisbon [214]
Turkish Airlines Istanbul [215]
United Airlines Atlanta, Auckland, Austin, Baltimore, Beijing–Capital,[216] Boise, Boston, Brisbane, Burbank, Calgary, Cancún, Chicago–O'Hare, Cleveland, Columbus–Glenn, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Houston–Intercontinental, Indianapolis, Kahului, Kailua-Kona, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Lihue, London–Heathrow, Los Angeles, Manila,[217] Melbourne, Mexico City, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Munich, Nashville, Newark, New Orleans, Ontario, Orange County, Orlando, Osaka–Kansai, Papeete, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Pittsburgh, Portland (OR), Puerto Vallarta, Raleigh/Durham, Reno/Tahoe, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San José del Cabo, Seattle/Tacoma, Seoul–Incheon, Shanghai–Pudong, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei–Taoyuan, Tampa, Tel Aviv (suspended), Tokyo–Haneda, Tokyo–Narita, Toronto–Pearson, Vancouver, Washington–Dulles, Washington–National
Seasonal: Albuquerque, Amsterdam, Anchorage, Barcelona (begins May 23, 2024),[218] Bozeman, Christchurch,[219][220] Eugene, Fort Myers, Jackson Hole, Liberia (CR), Medford, Omaha, Palm Springs, Redmond/Bend, Rome–Fiumicino, Santa Barbara, Zürich
[221]
United Express Albuquerque, Austin, Bakersfield, Boise, Bozeman, Burbank, Eugene, Eureka, Fresno, Kansas City, Medford, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Monterey, North Bend/Coos Bay, Ontario, Orange County, Palm Springs, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Redding, Redmond/Bend, Reno/Tahoe, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Spokane, Tri-Cities (WA), Tucson, Vancouver
Seasonal: Aspen, Bishop, Calgary, Eagle/Vail, Glacier Park/Kalispell, Hayden/Steamboat Springs, Jackson Hole, Missoula, Montrose, Omaha, Sun Valley
[221]
Vietnam Airlines Ho Chi Minh City [222]
Virgin Atlantic London–Heathrow [223]
WestJet Calgary
Seasonal: Edmonton (begins June 20, 2024),[224] Vancouver
[225]
Zipair Tokyo Tokyo–Narita [226]

Cargo edit

AirlinesDestinations
ABX Air[227] Cincinnati, Los Angeles
Amazon Air Cincinnati, Fort Worth/Alliance
Asiana Cargo[228] Seoul–Incheon
China Airlines Cargo[229] Anchorage, Taipei–Taoyuan
DHL Aviation Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Seattle/Tacoma
EVA Air Cargo Taipei-Taoyuan
FedEx Express Fort Worth/Alliance, Memphis
Kalitta Air Los Angeles, Seoul–Incheon
Korean Air Cargo[230] Los Angeles, Seoul–Incheon
Nippon Cargo Airlines[231] Los Angeles, Tokyo–Narita
United Airlines Guam

Statistics edit

 
San Francisco International Airport passenger destinations

Top destinations edit

Busiest domestic routes from SFO (November 2022 – October 2023)[232]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Los Angeles, California 1,317,000 Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United
2 New York–JFK, New York 993,000 Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, United
3 Newark, New Jersey 879,000 Alaska, United
4 Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 877,000 Alaska, American, United
5 Denver, Colorado 846,000 Frontier, Southwest, United
6 Seattle/Tacoma, Washington 788,000 Alaska, Delta, United
7 Las Vegas, Nevada 765,000 Alaska, Frontier, Southwest, United
8 Boston, Massachusetts 673,000 Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, United
9 Honolulu, Hawaii 603,000 Alaska, Hawaiian, Sun Country, United
10 San Diego, California 595,000 Alaska, Southwest, United
Busiest international routes from SFO (July 2022 – June 2023)[233]
Rank Airport Passengers Carriers
1   London–Heathrow, United Kingdom 991,549 British Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
2   Taipei, Taiwan 795,508 China Airlines, EVA Air, United Airlines
3   Vancouver, Canada 772,731 Air Canada, Flair Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet
4   Seoul-Incheon, South Korea 629,350 Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, United Airlines
5   Frankfurt, Germany 605,269 Condor, Lufthansa, United Airlines
6   Singapore, Singapore 519,656 Singapore Airlines, United Airlines
7   Toronto, Canada 506,027 Air Canada, United Airlines
8   Paris-Charles de Gaulle, France 453,503 Air France, United Airlines
9   Mexico City, Mexico 450,180 Aeromexico, United Airlines
10   Tokyo-Narita, Japan 422,351 All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, United Airlines, Zipair Tokyo

Airline market share edit

Largest airlines at SFO
(July 2022 - June 2023)
[234]
Rank Airline Passengers Share
1 United Airlines 21,904,971 47%
2 Alaska Airlines 5,766,742 12%
3 Delta Air Lines 3,709,612 8%
4 American Airlines 2,961,675 6%
5 Southwest Airlines 1,997,378 4%

Traffic numbers edit

Annual passenger traffic at SFO airport. See Wikidata query.
Traffic by calendar year[1]
Year Rank Enplaned and
deplaned passengers
Change Aircraft movements Cargo (tonnes)
1998 40,101,387 432,046 598,579
1999 40,387,538   0.7% 438,685 655,409
2000 9 41,048,996   1.8% 429,222 695,258
2001 14 34,632,474   15.6% 387,594 517,124
2002 19 31,450,168   9.2% 351,453 506,083
2003 22 29,313,271   6.8% 334,515 483,413
2004 21 32,744,186   8.8% 353,231 489,776
2005 23 33,394,225   2.0% 352,871 520,386
2006 26 33,581,412   0.5% 359,201 529,303
2007 23 35,790,746   6.6% 379,500 503,899
2008 21 37,402,541   4.5% 387,710 429,912
2009 20 37,453,634   0.1% 379,751 356,266
2010 23 39,391,234   5.2% 387,248 384,179
2011 22 41,045,431   4.2% 403,564 340,766
2012 22 44,477,209   8.4% 424,566 337,357
2013 22 44,944,201   1.2% 421,400 325,782
2014 21 47,074,162   4.9% 431,633 349,585
2015 15 50,067,094   6.2% 429,815 389,934
2016 23 53,106,505   6.1% 450,388 420,086
2017 24 55,832,518   5.1% 460,343 491,162
2018 25 57,793,313   3.5% 470,164 500,081
2019 24 57,488,023   0.5% 458,496 546,437
2020 N/A 16,427,801   71.4% 231,163 439,358
2021 N/A 24,343,627   48.2% 265,597 528,792
2022 N/A 42,281,641   73.7% 355,006 491,192
2023 N/A 50,196,094   18.7% 384,871 484,100

Ground transportation edit

Transit edit

 
BART train at SFO station in 2020

The AirTrain is a landside people-mover system that connects each terminal, the two international terminal garages, the BART station, the Grand Hyatt hotel, the airport's Rental Car Center, and the Long-Term Parking garage. The AirTrain is fully automated and free to ride.[235][236]

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) serves the airport at San Francisco International Airport station, located west of the International Terminal. The trains connect the airport directly to San Francisco, Oakland, and numerous other cities across the San Francisco Bay Area.

San Mateo County's transit agency, SamTrans, serves the airport with several routes. Buses stop at the arrivals/baggage claim level of the domestic terminals and in courtyard A or G in the International Terminal.

BART trains and SamTrans buses also connect San Francisco International Airport to Caltrain with a transfer at Millbrae station. Millbrae will also be the connection between SFO and California High-Speed Rail; the station will be renamed to Millbrae–SFO station on the High Speed Rail line to coincide with the dual functionality of the station.[237]

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport provided free shuttle bus service to and from the South San Francisco Ferry Terminal, connecting with San Francisco Bay Ferry services from Alameda and Oakland.[238]

Numerous door-to-door "shared ride" van and hotel courtesy shuttles stop at the center transportation island on the departure level, while Marin Airporter buses and limousines are on the arrivals/baggage claim level of the airport. Charter services are also available in the courtyards.

Car edit

 
Bird's-eye view of the airport. A spaghetti junction connects the passenger terminal roads to US Route 101.

The airport is located on U.S. Route 101, 13 miles (21 km) south of downtown San Francisco. It is near the US 101 interchange with Interstate 380, a short freeway that connects US 101 with Interstate 280. Short term parking is located in the central terminal area and two international terminal garages. Long term parking is located on South Airport Blvd. and San Bruno Ave.[239]

Passengers can also park long-term at a select number of BART stations that have parking lots, with a permit purchased online in advance.[240]

Taxi edit

Taxis depart from designated taxi zones located at the roadway center islands, on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of all terminals.[241]

Ride app services such as Uber and Lyft are available via their respective mobile app. The designated ride app pickup area for domestic terminals is on the fifth floor of the adjacent garage. The designated pickup area for the International Terminal is on the Departures/Check-In Level roadway center island.

Other facilities edit

SFO is home to one of the largest single aircraft maintenance bases in the world with complete MRO base operations (maintenance, repair, overhaul, painting, welding, machine shop, tool and die, parts manufacturing, fabrication, engineering, and retrofitting (Boeing and Airbus certified, among others)). It serves as the principal Global MRO Base for United Airlines and serves over 40 other airlines, military customers, and aircraft lease operators.[242][243][244][245]

The eastern side of the airfield is dominated by the Superbay, a 420,550-square-foot (39,070 m2) maintenance hangar capable of holding four 747s. Originally constructed in the 1970s, the facility is shared by United Airlines and American Airlines.[246]

Nippon Cargo Airlines has its San Francisco branch on the airport property.[247]

Prior to its merger that formed AirWest, Pacific Air Lines had its corporate headquarters on the grounds of the airport.[248] Hughes Airwest, the successor to Air West, also had its headquarters on the grounds of the airport.[249]

The United States Coast Guard operates Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco with its ramp and buildings near the cargo terminal, operating six MH-65 Dolphin helicopters.

Wag Brigade edit

On December 3, 2013, SFO launched a “Wag Brigade” program to bring a pack of trained therapy dogs to the terminals to calm nervous fliers and make passenger travel more enjoyable. In 2016, Lilou, a Juliana-breed therapy pig joined the Wag Brigade. Carefully selected for their temperament and airport suitability, the comfort canines wear vests that read "Pet Me!" which identify them.[250]

Accidents and incidents edit

  • On February 9, 1937, a United Airlines Douglas DC-3A-197[251] transport liner circled the airport, then crashed into the bay, killing 11 people.[252]
  • On September 12, 1951, United Airlines Flight 7030[253] plunged into the bay during a training exercise killing all three crew members.
  • On April 20, 1953, Western Airlines Flight 366, a Douglas DC-6 on a scheduled evening crossbay flight to Oakland International Airport, crashed three minutes after departing SFO into San Francisco Bay. There were eight fatalities (4 crew, 4 passengers) of the 10 occupants on board.[254]
  • On October 29, 1953, British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines flight 304,[255] a Douglas DC-6 en route from Sydney, Australia, with fuel stops in Auckland, New Zealand, Fiji, and Honolulu, crashed on approach to SFO into Kings Mountain in San Mateo County. All 19 passengers and crew members died.
  • On February 20, 1959, a Pan American DC-7C[256] crashed and burned on the runway. The three crew members on board survived.
  • On February 3, 1963, Slick Airways Flight 40[257] crashed and burned after striking approach lights on runway 28R, killing the four people on board.
  • On December 24, 1964, Flying Tiger Line Flight 282, a Lockheed Constellation cargo aircraft departing for New York City, crashed in the hills west of the airport, killing all three crew members on board.[258]
  • On June 28, 1965, Pan Am Flight 843, a Boeing 707, had just departed for Honolulu, Hawaii, when its #4 engine exploded, causing part of the wing and the engine itself to break off and fall into the streets below. The crew was able to extinguish the ensuing fire and land safely at the nearby Travis Air Force Base.
 
JAL002 ditched in shallow water short of SFO
  • On November 22, 1968, Japan Air Lines Flight 2, a DC-8-62 named the Shiga (registered as JA8032), operating Japan Airlines, crash-landed on final approach at 9:30 a.m. on a shallow submerged reef at the eastern tip of Coyote Point (three miles short of the runway southeast of the airport). The plane was on a trip from Tokyo to San Francisco, after making a stop in Honolulu. The pilot was experienced but misread the instruments on the DC-8, which was less than a year old. There were 107 people on the plane. There were no deaths or serious injuries. The plane was salvaged by Bigge Drayage Company soon after the crash. All luggage and fuel were removed to cut the weight and the plane was lifted onto a barge and taken to the airport for repairs. The cost of repairs was $4 million and the plane re-entered service the following April. The aircraft flew for Japan Air Lines until 1983 and then several air freight companies for 18 years until it was scrapped in December 2001.[259]
  • On July 30, 1971, Pan Am Flight 845, a Boeing 747 (registration: N747PA, name: Clipper America), struck navigational aids at the end of runway 1R on takeoff for Tokyo. The aircraft's landing gear and other systems were damaged. Two passengers were seriously injured by metal components of the runway approach light pier entering the cabin. The flight proceeded out over the Pacific Ocean to dump fuel to reduce weight for an emergency landing. Emergency services were deployed at the airport, and the plane returned and landed on runway 28R. During landing, the aircraft veered off the runway. There was no fire. After coming to a stop, the aircraft slowly tilted aft, coming to rest on its tail in a nose-high attitude. The forward evacuation slides were therefore in a nearly vertical position. Evacuation using these slides caused all of additional injuries, some severe. There were no fatalities among the 218 passengers and crew members aboard. An investigation determined that the cause of the accident was erroneous information from the flight dispatcher to the crew members regarding weight and runway length.[260]
  • On July 5, 1972, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 710, a Boeing 737-200, was hijacked by two Bulgarian immigrants demanding $800,000 and to be taken to the Soviet Union. After flying for an hour and landing back at SFO, the plane was stormed by four FBI agents. Both hijackers were killed along with one passenger. Two other passengers were injured.[261]
  • On September 13, 1972, TWA Flight 604,[262] a Boeing 707-331C cargo plane crashed into the bay on takeoff. All three crew members survived.
  • On October 8, 1984, a Clay Lacy Aviation Learjet 24 crashed shortly after takeoff after descending in a steep left-wing low-nose attitude after entering a broken cloud at 600 feet. All three occupants (two crew, and one occupant) were killed.[263]
  • On February 19, 1985, China Airlines Flight 006 made an emergency landing at the airport after a fatigued crew mishandled a single engine flameout, eventually leading to a stall and catastrophic dive that nearly led the Boeing 747SP to hit the ocean.
  • On June 28, 1998, United Airlines Flight 863 was forced to shut down an engine just after takeoff, and then nearly collided with San Bruno Mountain due to improper flight procedure. The aircraft returned safely to the airport. In response, United instituted new training procedures for its flight crews.
  • In the September 11 attacks in 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 was destined for San Francisco. It was hijacked by four al-Qaeda terrorists and diverted towards Washington, D.C., with the intent of crashing the plane into either The Capitol or the White House. After learning of the previous attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon, the passengers attempted to regain control of the plane. The hijackers subsequently crashed the plane into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board.
  • On May 26, 2007, an arriving SkyWest Airlines Embraer EMB 120 nearly collided with a Republic Airline Embraer 170 Regional Jet at the junction of Runways 01L and 28R. After the SkyWest EMB 120 passed the Runway 28R threshold, the Republic E-170 was cleared for takeoff on 01L, in contradiction to local and FAA orders requiring the arriving aircraft to pass the intersection before clearing departing aircraft on the intersecting runway.[264][265]
  • On June 28, 2008, an ABX Air Boeing 767 preparing to depart with cargo caught fire and was seriously damaged. The pilots escaped uninjured. Although the airline had received a threat the week before, investigations revealed no evidence of any malicious device on board, eventually concluding the fire was caused by an electrical system malfunction.[266][267]
  • On September 22, 2012, a PrimeFlight catering truck accidentally drove into the wing of a parked NetJets Gulfstream V. The wing sliced into the cab of the truck, killing the 60-year-old driver.[268]
 
The wreckage of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 after it crashed while landing on July 6, 2013
  • On July 6, 2013, Asiana Airlines Flight 214, a Boeing 777-200ER registered HL7742, crashed while landing. The crash occurred due to a combination of mistakes made by the aircraft's flight crew. The flight crew had selected an incorrect autopilot mode when attempting to descend, followed by placing the thrust levers into "idle", which disabled the autopilot from maintaining speed as the aircraft approached the seawall. Upon descending below the desired flight path, the flight crew should have determined that their speed was too low and attempted a "go-around" and re-attempt to land. However, this decision was not made until the altitude was less than 100 feet (30 m), by which point the aircraft could not accomplish a go-around. The tail section of the aircraft struck the seawall at the end of the runway and became detached from the airframe; the plane ended up 2,000 feet (610 m) down the runway. Passengers and crew members evacuated before a fire, due to the ignition of engine lubricant, destroyed the aircraft. There were three fatalities, making this the first fatal Boeing 777 crash.[269][270]
  • On July 7, 2017, Air Canada Flight 759, an Airbus A320-200, from Toronto Pearson was instructed by air traffic control to go around after overflying Taxiway C for 0.25 miles (400 m) while on visual approach for 28R. The A320 overflew the first two aircraft lined up on Taxiway C by roughly 100 feet (30 m). The pilots landed the aircraft afterward without incident. A total of three wide-body aircraft and one narrow-body aircraft were lined up awaiting takeoff on Taxiway C. The NTSB launched an investigation into the incident,[271][272] publishing the final report in September 2018.[273]
  • On October 22, 2017, Air Canada Flight 781, another Airbus A320-200, from Montreal landed on Runway 28R after being instructed by the ATC six times to go around, without any response from the pilots. Upon landing the crew reported they had radio problems in the cockpit, but a later FAA investigation found that the crew inadvertently switched from the SFO tower frequency to the SFO ground frequency after receiving their landing clearance.[274]
  • On March 7, 2024, a Boeing 777-200 of United Airlines, registration N226UA, was climbing out of runway 28R when one of the six wheels on the left main gear truck detached and fell in a car park, damaging three cars. The aircraft landed safely at Los Angeles Airport with no casualties. An airfield safety employee was injured while clearing debris.[275]

See also edit

Notes edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Air Traffic Statistics (Report). San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for SFO PDF, effective January 25, 2024
  3. ^ "Air Traffic Statistics". San Francisco International Airport. January 2016. Archived from the original on July 11, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  4. ^ "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: San Mateo County, CA" (PDF). Washington: U.S. Census Bureau. pp. 5-6 (PDF p. 6-7). Retrieved August 3, 2022. San Francisco International Arprt (airport directly indicated on page 6 (PDF page 7))
    "San Francisco International Airport". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved May 3, 2009.
  5. ^ "San Francisco International Airport | San Francisco International Airport". www.flysfo.com. March 16, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  6. ^ Airports Council International – Worldwide Airport Traffic Report – Calendar Year 2017 (PDF) (Report). New York: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  7. ^ Smith, Matt (March 28, 2001). "Flying Blind". SF Weekly. San Francisco: Black Press Ltd. Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  8. ^ "Financial Audits". City and County of San Francisco. January 22, 2007. Archived from the original on November 26, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  9. ^ "SFO Enterprises, Inc". SF Weekly. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  10. ^ The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein; pg. 396.
  11. ^ a b c d e "History of SFO". San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  12. ^ "negative: Mills Field Municipal Airport of San Francisco". SFO Museum. May 7, 1927. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  13. ^ "Pacific Seaboard Air Lines". Airline Timetable Images. Summer 1933. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  14. ^ "Family". Atlanta: Delta Air Lines. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  15. ^ a b "Delta Air Lines system timetable". February 1, 1962. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  16. ^ "Historic California Airfields: Coast Guard Air Station, San Francisco, NAAS Mills Field, San Francisco Municipal Airport". www.militarymuseum.org.
  17. ^ "British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines". Airline Timetable Images. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  18. ^ "Pan Am timetable, 1947". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  19. ^ "TWA Skyliner Magazine, 1957-08-15_01". digital.shsmo.org. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  20. ^ JP (September 16, 2019). "The Cadillac of the Constellation Line". TheAvGeeks. Retrieved June 8, 2021.[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ "Qantas Timetable". Airline Timetable Images. November 6, 1959. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  22. ^ "BOAC system timetable". Airline Timetable Images. April 24, 1960. Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  23. ^ "BOAC system timetable". Airline Timetable Images. August 1, 1961. Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  24. ^ "Japan Airlines system timetable". Airline Timetable Images. December 1, 1961. Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  25. ^ "Lufthansa system timetable". Airline Timetable Images. April 1, 1961. Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  26. ^ "Lufthansa system timetable". Airline Timetable Images. January 1, 1963. Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  27. ^ "Braniff International system timetable". Airline Timetable Images. July 1, 1968. Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  28. ^ "CP Air system timetable". Airline Timetable Images. July 15, 1970. Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  29. ^ Fredricks, Darold (July 1, 2013). "Convair B-36 'Peacemaker'". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  30. ^ a b Wilson, Marshall (December 4, 2000). "A Guide to the New International Wing". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications. pp. A–1. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  31. ^ "Southwest Airways – The Pacific Air Line system timetable". Airline Timetable Images. April 28, 1957. Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  32. ^ "Pacific Air Lines system timetable". Airline Timetable Images. July 1, 1959. Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  33. ^ "Pacific Air Lines route map". AirTimes – A Source for Airline History. July 20, 1966. Archived from the original on March 11, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  34. ^ "West Coast Airlines route map". departedflights.com. April 28, 1968. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  35. ^ "Hughes Airwest route map". departedflights.com. January 15, 1978. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  36. ^ "American Airlines" (PDF). 1960s Airline & Airliner Antiques. January 3, 1960. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  37. ^ "Western Airlines system timetable". Airline Timetable Images. September 6, 1960. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  38. ^ "SFO Helicopter Airlines". Airline Timetable Images. September 1, 1961. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  39. ^ "SFO Helicopter Airlines". Airline Timetable Images. October 26, 1975. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  40. ^ "National Airlines". Airline Timetable Images. March 2, 1962. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  41. ^ "PSA – Pacific Southwest Airlines". Airline Timetable Images. June 25, 1962. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  42. ^ a b "PSA History". Pacific Southwest Airlines History Page. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  43. ^ Roderick, Kevin (October 19, 1989). "Search For Bodies to Take Days—State Puts Toll at 273, Then Says It Is Uncertain". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
  44. ^ Christopher H. Schmitt, Mercury News (October 10, 2014). "Loma Prieta earthquake: The Mercury News' first-day coverage, afternoon paper". Mercury News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  45. ^ Environmental Impact Report for the San Francisco International Airport Master Plan (Report). Earth Metrics Inc. and Jefferson Associates, prepared for the city of San Francisco and California State Clearinghouse. 1989. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  46. ^ "Airports Council International – Worldwide Airport Traffic Report – The calendar Year 2013" (PDF). The Port Authority of NY & NJ. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  47. ^ "San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library & Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum". SFO Museum. San Francisco Airport Commission. November 10, 2015. Archived from the original on October 23, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  48. ^ "San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library & Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum – Mission Statement and History". SFO Museum. San Francisco Airport Commission. November 10, 2015. Archived from the original on November 7, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  49. ^ McCabe, Michael (November 18, 1999). "Wind Over Water / Planes would land on floating runways built on S.F. Bay". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco: Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  50. ^ a b McCormick, Erin (June 5, 1998). "Runway expansion at SFO could mean filling Bay". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  51. ^ Martin, John (November 23, 1998). "Opinion: SFO Director Makes a Plea for Bay Fill". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  52. ^ McCabe, Michael (July 31, 1999). "Sierra Club Opposes SFO Bay-Fill Plans / Airport says runway options vary". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  53. ^ California State Assembly. "An act to add and repeal Sections 21085.7 and 21151.10 of the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental quality". 1999–2000 Session of the Legislature. Statutes of California. State of California. Ch. 925 p. 6919.
  54. ^ Johnson, Huey D. (May 5, 2000). "Opinion: Bay fill for runways a dismal idea". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  55. ^ Wilson, Marshall; Pence, Angelica (April 25, 2001). "SFO expansion backers argue for bay fill-in plan / Foes attack study, Feinstein endorses it". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  56. ^ Wilson, Marshall (July 31, 2001). "Roar of disapproval for SFO runway expansion plans". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  57. ^ Wilson, Marshall; McCabe, Michael (November 24, 1998). "SFO's Plan For New Runways / Wetlands trade-off for bayfill proposed". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  58. ^ wilson, Marshall (February 4, 1999). "New Price Tag On SFO Runways Tops $2 Billion". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  59. ^ "Press Room, Our History, Openings/Closings". Southwest Airlines. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  60. ^ Cabantuan, Michael (June 22, 2003). "History is Here – New Line Creates Transit Hub, Link to Future". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications. pp. A–1. Archived from the original on February 7, 2006. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  61. ^ Raine, George (October 5, 2007). "Airbus Jumbo Jet Makes Test Landing at SFO". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications. pp. C–1. Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  62. ^ "Airport of the Year 2008: Regional Results". Airport of the Year 2008. Skytrax Research. July 28, 2008. Archived from the original on July 30, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  63. ^ "Airport of the Year 2009: Regional Results". Airport of the Year 2009. Skytrax Research. June 9, 2009. Archived from the original on May 29, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2009.
  64. ^ "New SFO control tower will have a torch-like air". Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  65. ^ King, John (June 27, 2012). "New SFO control tower will have a torch-like air". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco: Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  66. ^ Vacar, Tom (October 11, 2016). "New control tower at San Francisco airport dedicated". Fox News. San Francisco: Fox Television Stations. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  67. ^ "Getting Through Airport Security with CLEAR". On the Ground Travel. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  68. ^ "Clear Lanes Are No Longer Available". Clear. Verified Identity Pass, Inc. June 25, 2009. Archived from the original on August 31, 2007. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  69. ^ "SFO Announces Landmark Agreement for Use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels" (Press release). San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  70. ^ "Shell starts supplying sustainable fuel at Californian airport | Biofuels International Magazine". Biofuels International. December 12, 2018. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  71. ^ Bates, Joe. "Sustainable aviation fuel available at San Francisco International Airport". Airport World. Montréal: Airports Council International. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  72. ^ a b c Gilbertson, Dawn (November 17, 2022). "The Best and Worst Airports of 2022". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  73. ^ "SFO airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  74. ^ a b c d e f "Weather and Operations at SFO: A Primer for the Media" (PDF). San Francisco International Airport. January 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  75. ^ "Airport Diagram" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2017.
  76. ^ "West Plan". San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  77. ^ a b "Formation landing with a Boeing 747-400 at SFO". AvGeekery [blog]. September 7, 2015. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  78. ^ "Southeast Plan". San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  79. ^ "Fly Quiet Program – Jon C. Long Fly Quiet Awards". flySFO.com. San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  80. ^ "Residential Sound Insulation Program". SFO – Aircraft Noise Abatement Office. BridgeNet International. September 1, 2009. Archived from the original on December 24, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2009.
  81. ^ Payne, Andy T. "San Francisco International Airport: Gateway to the Golden Gate, Part 1: 1927–1959". Yesterday's Airlines. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  82. ^ Payne, Andy T. "San Francisco International Airport: Gateway to the Golden Gate, Part 2: 1959–1978". Yesterday's Airlines. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  83. ^ a b Payne, Andy T. "San Francisco International Airport: Gateway to the Golden Gate, Part 3: 1978–2015". Yesterday's Airlines. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  84. ^ "Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Redevelopment | San Francisco International Airport". www.flysfo.com. July 13, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  85. ^ "Connecting at San Francisco – Airport Maps and Connections – Check-In & Immigration". Air New Zealand. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  86. ^ McGinnis, Chris (November 19, 2014). "New "secret passageway" at SFO – Chris McGinnis". Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  87. ^ "New options for Delta flyers at SFO – TravelSkills". November 12, 2014. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  88. ^ "Next phase of Harvey Milk Terminal 1 opens at SFO".
  89. ^ "San Francisco Airport postpones multiple construction projects". International Airport Review.
  90. ^ "A Masterpiece In Progress: Terminal 1 Renovation Breaks Ground at SFO | San Francisco International Airport". FlySFO | San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  91. ^ a b c McGinnis, Chris (June 26, 2019). "First look inside SFO's new $2.4 billion terminal". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco: Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  92. ^ "San Francisco Public Library – Bay Region Business". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  93. ^ "negative: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), dedication of South Terminal". SFO Museum. September 15, 1963. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  94. ^ "Projects Slated at SF Airport". Los Angeles Times. July 13, 1958. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  95. ^ a b c Hough, Bill (July 14, 2016). "San Francisco Airport Breaks Ground on Terminal Reconstruction". Airways. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  96. ^ "Feb 72 / Rotonda A". SFO Museum. February 1972. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  97. ^ Moxom, Marshall (July 2, 1971). "Elevated Roadway Construction & Rotunda "A" Const". SFO Museum. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  98. ^ San Francisco Airport Architects (January 29, 1968). "SFO Rotunda Plans / Sections 9". SFO Museum. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  99. ^ Friedman, Howard A.; Reitherman, Robert (1990). Successful Architecture: Selected Works and Thought of Howard A. Friedman. H. Friedman Family. p. 66. Archived from the original on June 27, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  100. ^ "Tabular LT Institutional Facilities" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  101. ^ "Terminal 1 Redevelopment". flySFO.com. San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  102. ^ "CMAA Terminal 1 Redevelopment Program" (PDF). November 29, 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  103. ^ Sabatini, Joshua (March 21, 2018). "SFO Terminal To Be Renamed in Honor of Harvey Milk". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  104. ^ McGinnis, Chris (April 23, 2018). "It's official: SFO terminal named for Harvey Milk". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  105. ^ a b McGinnis, Chris (July 23, 2019). "Harvey Milk Terminal 1 officially opens at SFO". SFGate.
  106. ^ "SFO Resumes Opening for Next Phase of Harvey Milk Terminal 1". SFO Connect. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  107. ^ Bajko, Matthew S. (April 27, 2020). "After weekslong delay, new Harvey Milk Terminal 1 section opens". The Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  108. ^ "American Airlines Moves into Harvey Milk Terminal 1 on May 12th". San Francisco International Airport. May 5, 2020.
  109. ^ Leff, Gary (May 14, 2020). "In The Middle Of A Pandemic, American Airlines Changes Terminals In San Francisco". View From the Wing. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  110. ^ "Next Phase of Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Opens at SFO | San Francisco International Airport". FlySFO | San Francisco International Airport. May 25, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  111. ^ "We're investing billions in major improvements at our key airports to ensure you'll have a great trip". March 24, 2022.
  112. ^ a b "New Gate Numbering System at SFO | San Francisco International Airport". FlySFO | San Francisco International Airport. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  113. ^ a b McCarthy, Allison (April 4, 2011). "A First Look at SFO's New Terminal 2". 7X7 Bay Area. 7x7.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  114. ^ San Francisco International Airport Competition Plan (PDF) (Report). San Francisco International Airport. August 8, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 18, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  115. ^ a b Raine, George (May 13, 2008). "SFO's old international terminal to fly again". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  116. ^ Manekin, Michael (July 8, 2008). "SFO Brings Ghost Terminal Back From the Dead". San Mateo County Times. Bay Area News Group. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  117. ^ "SFO's renovated Terminal 2 is set to open April 14 and will house Virgin America and American Airlines". ABC7 News KGO-TV. San Francisco, California. February 10, 2011. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  118. ^ Coté, John (April 6, 2011). "SFO Terminal 2 ready for takeoff". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  119. ^ "Five New Public Artworks to Debut at San Francisco International Airport's New Terminal 2". Sfartscommission.org. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  120. ^ "SFO's Terminal 2 Set to Re-Open in April" (Press release). San Francisco International Airport. February 10, 2011. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  121. ^ Allday, Erin (September 19, 2008). "SFO releases terminal renovation plans". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  122. ^ King, John (February 8, 2011). "SFO terminal plan may make security check less grim". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  123. ^ "Internal Server Error". Janes.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012.
  124. ^ Lucchesi, Paolo (March 24, 2011). "SFO Terminal 2 to include sustainable food". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  125. ^ Lucchesi, Paolo (April 6, 2011). "SFO Terminal 2 dining a local, gourmet bounty". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  126. ^ "SFO to Open New Public Outdoor Observation Deck on February 14th | San Francisco International Airport". FlySFO | San Francisco International Airport. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  127. ^ "New San Francisco Lounge celebrates local flavor and flair". Alaska Airlines News. August 31, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  128. ^ "Interactive Map | San Francisco International Airport". FlySFO | San Francisco International Airport. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  129. ^ "Airlines at SFO". San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  130. ^ "Airport Undergoes Marathon Expansion". Engineering News-Record. McGraw-Hill. 200 (1): 18. 1978.
  131. ^ "North Terminal construction begins at San Francisco International Airport". SFO Museum. April 22, 1971. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  132. ^ "North Terminal completed at San Francisco International Airport". SFO Museum. January 1, 1981. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  133. ^ "San Francisco International Airport's domestic terminals will be referred to by number beginning October 1" (PDF) (Press release). San Francisco Airport Commission. September 28, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  134. ^ Raine, George (September 20, 2007). "SFO harnesses solar power for Terminal 3". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  135. ^ "American to Relocate Operations at SFO to New Terminal 2". Airlines and Destinations. September 8, 2010. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  136. ^ "Minutes" (PDF). San Francisco Airport Commission. March 1, 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  137. ^ FY14/15 Five-Year Capital Plan (PDF) (Report). San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 14, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  138. ^ Cabanatuan, Michael (January 24, 2014). "SFO terminal revamp ready for takeoff". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  139. ^ Yakel, Doug (January 24, 2014). "Join the E-Volution – SFO Re-Opens Boarding Area E" (Press release). San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  140. ^ Bigelow, Catherine (January 28, 2014). "United SFO terminal upgrades to 1st class glitz". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  141. ^ "Terminal 3 East Concourse | San Francisco International Airport". FlySFO | San Francisco International Airport. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  142. ^ "San Francisco International Airport Boarding Area E". City and County of San Francisco. March 19, 2012. Archived from the original on February 6, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  143. ^ "SFO Postpones $1 Billion Terminal 3 West Project | San Francisco International Airport". www.flysfo.com. August 10, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  144. ^ "Civic Design Review of San Francisco International Airport Terminal 3 West" (PDF).
  145. ^ a b "Fact Sheet – International Terminal" (PDF). flySFO.com. San Francisco International Airport. January 30, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  146. ^ Armstrong, David (October 7, 2003). "Terminal Gastronomy – New Plan Brings Icons of the Bay Area's Food-Loving Culture to the S.F. Airport". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications. pp. B–1. Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  147. ^ "San Francisco Airport Commission Minutes" (PDF). November 1, 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  148. ^ Armstrong, David (July 15, 2004). "Super-Size Skies – SFO Says It's Ready for a 555-Person Plane Arriving in 2006". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications. pp. C–1. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  149. ^ a b "A380 at SFO". May 9, 2011. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  150. ^ "This PDF contains several maps of the SFO Airport" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 15, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  151. ^ Nazzaro, Miranda (January 16, 2024). "San Francisco Airport to name international terminal in honor of late Sen. Dianne Feinstein". The Hill. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  152. ^ "Mission and History". San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  153. ^ Todd, Gail (January 19, 2012). "S.F. International Airport: Also an art museum". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  154. ^ "Public Art Map". SFO Museum. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  155. ^ Xiao, An (November 21, 2013). "Curating at the Airport: The SFO Museum". Hyperallergic. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  156. ^ "Timetables". Aer Lingus. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  157. ^ "Timetables". Aeroméxico. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  158. ^ a b "Flight Schedules". Air Canada. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  159. ^ "Air China NW23 US Oepration Changes - 27SEP23". AeroRoutes. September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  160. ^ "Air France flight schedule". Air France. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  161. ^ "Air India Timetable". Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  162. ^ Amati, Giacomo (September 30, 2022). "Long-Haul Expansion: Air India Plans 20 New Flights To The UK And US". Simple Flying. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  163. ^ "Flight schedules - Air New Zealand". Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  164. ^ "Air Premia schedules mid-May 2024 San Francisco launch". AeroRoutes. January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  165. ^ "Alaska Adds Burbank – San Francisco Service From mid-Dec 2023". Aeroroutes. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  166. ^ "Alaska Airlines discontinuing route from Love Field to San Francisco". WFAA. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  167. ^ "Flight Timetable". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  168. ^ "Timetables [International Routes]". Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  169. ^ a b "Flight schedules and notifications". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  170. ^ "Routes". Asiana Airlines. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  171. ^ "Check itineraries". Archived from the original on March 5, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  172. ^ "Flying is a Breeze: Grand Junction announces new carrier with 2 direct flights". The Daily Sentinel. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  173. ^ "Breeze Airways".
  174. ^ "Timetables". British Airways. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  175. ^ "Flight Timetable". Cathay Pacific. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  176. ^ "Timetable | China Airlines". Archived from the original on August 5, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  177. ^ "China Eastern NW23 US Operations - 28 SEP23". AeroRoutes. September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  178. ^ "China Southern Resumes Nonstop Guangzhou – San Francisco Service in NS24". Aeroroutes. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  179. ^ "China Southern NW23 US Operation Changes - 28SEP23". AeroRoutes. September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  180. ^ "Condor: Summer 2022: With Condor non-stop to 16 destinations in North America". Condor-newsroom.condor.com. February 14, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  181. ^ "Flight Schedule". Copa Airlines. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  182. ^ a b "FLIGHT SCHEDULES". Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  183. ^ "Flight Schedules". Emirates. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  184. ^ "Timetables". EVA Air. Archived from the original on May 16, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  185. ^ "Flight Schedules". Archived from the original on August 5, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  186. ^ "Where we fly". Flair Airlines. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  187. ^ "Timetable - French Bee". Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  188. ^ a b c d https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/you-can-fly-to-these-cities-from-sfo-for-just-19/amp/. Retrieved January 24, 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  189. ^ "Frontier". Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  190. ^ "Destinations". Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  191. ^ "Flight times - Iberia". Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  192. ^ "Nuovi Voli Per San Francisco E Washington a Partire Da Giugno" [New Flights To San Francisco And Washington Starting In June]. ITA Airways (in Italian). Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  193. ^ "Japan Airlines Timetables". Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  194. ^ "JetBlue Airlines Timetable". Archived from the original on July 13, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  195. ^ "View the Timetable". KLM. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  196. ^ "Flight Status and Schedules". Korean Air. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  197. ^ "Destinations". Level. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  198. ^ "Timetable - Lufthansa Canada". Lufthansa. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  199. ^ "Flight Timetable". Archived from the original on February 1, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  200. ^ "Porter connects Montréal to sunny California with two non-stop routes". Cision. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  201. ^ "Porter adds Los Angeles and San Francisco to growing list of U.S. destinations". Cision. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  202. ^ "QANTAS 2022/23 SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE ADJUSTMENT – 27AUG22". aeroroutes. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  203. ^ "Qantas San Francisco changes". Aeroroutes. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  204. ^ "Discover a timeless beauty in San Francisco". Qatar Airways. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  205. ^ "Timetable - SAS". Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  206. ^ "Flight schedules". Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  207. ^ "Southwest's Latest STL Schedule Update Expands/Resumes Routes". Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  208. ^ "New Flight Schedules".
  209. ^ "Check Flight Schedules". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  210. ^ "Southwest Airlines Route Map". Southwest Airlines. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  211. ^ Hardee, Howard (September 12, 2023). "Starlux plans to launch trans-Pacific routes to San Francisco and Seattle". FlightGlobal. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  212. ^ "Route Map". Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  213. ^ "Timetable". Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  214. ^ "All Destinations". TAP Portugal. Archived from the original on May 12, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  215. ^ "Online Flight Schedule". Turkish Airlines. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  216. ^ "San Francisco Airport: United Airlines resumes, expands routes to Asia". The San Francisco Standard. August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  217. ^ "United NW23 East Asia Network Expansion". AeroRoutes. July 18, 2023.
  218. ^ "UNITED AIRLINES ADDS SAN FRANCISCO – BARCELONA SERVICE". Live and Let's Fly. December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  219. ^ "Flights from Christchurch to San Francisco will take off this summer". Christchurch City Council. April 19, 2023. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  220. ^ "UNITED NW23 INTERCONTINENTAL NETWORK CHANGES – 11AUG23". August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  221. ^ a b "Timetable". Chicago: United Airlines Holdings. Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  222. ^ "Vietnam Airlines direct flight to US takes off next week". VN Express. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  223. ^ "Interactive flight map". Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  224. ^ "WestJet enhances Western Canada's transborder connectivity through summer schedule". Westjet. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  225. ^ "Flight schedules". Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  226. ^ "Zipair Basic Information". Zipair. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  227. ^ "ABX Air". Archived from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  228. ^ "Asiana Cargo Schedule". Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  229. ^ "China Airlines Cargo Schedule". Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  230. ^ "Korean Air Cargo". Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  231. ^ "NCA Flight Schedule" (PDF). Nippon Cargo Airlines. Summer 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  232. ^ RITA | BTS | Transtats (Report). Washington: Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  233. ^ International_Report_Passengers | Department of Transportation - Data Portal (Report). Washington: U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  234. ^ "DataSF". San Francisco International Airport. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  235. ^ "Airtrain FAQ". flySFO.com. San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on August 22, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  236. ^ "Getting Around SFO | San Francisco International Airport". June 17, 2022.
  237. ^ California High-Speed Rail Authority. "Millbrae–SFO - California High Speed Rail". California High Speed Rail. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  238. ^ "Take the Ferry to SFO | San Francisco Bay Ferry". sanfranciscobayferry.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  239. ^ "Parking at a Glance". flySFO.com. San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on August 28, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  240. ^ "BART – Parking". Bart.gov. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  241. ^ "Taxi Pick-Up Locations". flySFO.com. San Francisco International Airport. Archived from the original on July 20, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  242. ^ "United Airlines extends lease on San Francisco maintenance facility - Chicago Business Journal". Archived from the original on March 23, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  243. ^ "United Technical Operations". Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  244. ^ "United Technical Operations" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 26, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  245. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Take a tour of the maintenance facility for United Airlines". YouTube. June 12, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  246. ^ "San Francisco International Airport Superbay Hangar". Weitz. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  247. ^ "America Archived May 25, 2017, at Archive-It." Nippon Cargo Airlines. Retrieved on February 17, 2012. "900 North Access Road, San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, CA 94128, U.S.A."
  248. ^ Flight International. April 2, 1964. 523 Archived March 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. "Head Office: International Airport, San Francisco, California."
  249. ^ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. April 28, 1979. 1379 Archived March 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. "Head Office: San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, Ealif 94128, USA."
  250. ^ "Meet the Wag Brigade". San Francisco International Airport. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  251. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-3A-197 NC16073 San Francisco International Airport, CA (SFO)". Aviation Safety Network. February 9, 1937. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  252. ^ "Major SFO crashes". SFGate. July 6, 2013. Archived from the original on July 13, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  253. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 377 Stratocruiser 10-34 N31230 Redwood City, CA". Aviation Safety Network. September 12, 1951. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  254. ^ Accident description for N91303 at the Aviation Safety Network
  255. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-6 VH-BPE Half Moon Bay, CA". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  256. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-7C N740PA San Francisco International Airport, CA (SFO)". Aviation Safety Network. February 20, 1959. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  257. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation N9740Z San Francisco International Airport, CA (SFO)". Aviation Safety Network. February 3, 1963. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  258. ^ "ASN Aircraft Accident Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation N6915C San Francisco". Aviation Safety Network. December 24, 1964. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  259. ^ "Splashdown of the "Shiga"…". Check-Six.com. November 22, 1968.
  260. ^ Aircraft Accident Report – Pan American World Airways, Boeing 747, N747PA (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: National Transportation Safety Board. May 24, 1972. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  261. ^ Accident description at the Aviation Safety Network
  262. ^ Aircraft Accident Report – Trans World Airlines, Inc., Boeing 707-331C, N15712 (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: National Transportation Safety Board. September 13, 1972. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  263. ^ Accident description for N864CL at the Aviation Safety Network
  264. ^ Lee, Henry K (June 11, 2007). "Turboprop narrowly misses hitting jet at SFO". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  265. ^ Aviation Incident OPS07IA004A Final Report (Report). National Transportation Safety Board. November 30, 2007. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  266. ^ "NTSB Issues Update On Boeing 767 Cargo Airplane Fire" (Press release). National Transportation Safety Board. July 3, 2008. Archived from the original on September 3, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  267. ^ Aviation Accident DCA08MA076 Final Report (Report). National Transportation Safety Board. March 28, 2010. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  268. ^ Accident description for N511QS at the Aviation Safety Network
  269. ^ McClam, Erin; Arkin, Daniel (July 6, 2013). "Boeing 777 crashes while landing at San Francisco airport; 2 dead; scores injured". NBC News. San Francisco: NBCUniversal News Group. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  270. ^ Crash of Asiana Flight 214 Accident Report Summary (Report). Washington: National Transportation Safety Board. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  271. ^ Paola Loriggio (July 11, 2017). "Investigators probing close call with Air Canada jet at San Francisco airport". The Globe and Mail. San Francisco. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on July 12, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  272. ^ Hradecky, Simon. "Incident: Canada A320 at San Francisco on Jul 7th 2017, lined up with taxiway for landing". The Aviation Herald. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  273. ^ "Taxiway Overflight Air Canada Flight 759 Airbus A320-211, C-FKCK San Francisco, California, July 7 2017" (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board. September 25, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  274. ^ GAFNI, Matthias (May 2, 2018). "Wrong radio frequency. Wrong runway. FAA releases findings of SFO close-call investigations". The Mercury News. Bay Area News Group. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  275. ^ "Accident: United B772 at San Francisco on Mar 7th 2024, dropped main wheel on departure". The Aviation Herald.

External links edit

  • San Francisco International Airport website
  • San Francisco International Airport Community Roundtable Homepage
  • San Francisco International Airport Live Flight Track Archived April 3, 2018, at the Wayback Machine (ten-minute delay)
  • San Francisco International Airport Aircraft Noise Abatement Office
  • Overscheduling at SFO dead link, archived at Overscheduling
  • FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective February 22, 2024
  • FAA Terminal Procedures for SFO, effective February 22, 2024
  • Resources for this airport:
    • AirNav airport information for KSFO
    • ASN accident history for SFO
    • FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
    • NOAA/NWS weather observations: current, past three days
    • SkyVector aeronautical chart for KSFO
    • FAA current SFO delay information
  • The aerial view c. 1940 Archived May 25, 2017, at the Wayback Machine looks west along the runway that is now 28R; the seaplane harbor at right is still recognizable north of the airport. Earlier aerial looking NW 1943 vertical aerial (enlargeable).