The opening five years ago of the West Coast airport’s international terminal helped transform it into one of the world’s most popular, as Leon Barber reports Although San Francisco has long enjoyed the appellation of ‘everyone’s favourite city’, its main airport has not always shared the same affection among travellers. That is until five years ago, when its much acclaimed new international terminal opened. Now ranked as the best in America by the readers of one leading US travel publication, SFO is a model gateway, its three terminals last year handling an estimated 35 million passengers. The 2.5 million sq ft international facility features twice the amount of ticket counter space than the building it replaced, increased baggage handling capabilities and expanded customs facilities for speedier processing, a $10 million permanent art collection, and what is claimed to be the world’s first fully-accredited museum in an airport. Add to that the AirTrain automated people mover, opened in 2003, that links nine stations within the airport complex, new approach roads and parking facilities, a consolidated rental car centre and the addition of a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station, and it is not difficult to appreciate why SFO’s popularity has soared in recent times. It now takes just 29 minutes to reach the downtown area from the dedicated airport station, which is shared with the AirTrain, and is a mere 75 yards from the ticket concourse. United Airlines is by far the largest operator in and out of San Francisco, accounting for almost half the total traffic. Around 25 carriers provide services to almost 30 international destinations, and a further 20 airlines operate non-stop flights to more than 60 US cities. New routes this year include a three times-a-week service between Sydney and San Francicso, which Qantas launches at the end of this month, extending the service to Vancouver in June, and daily non-stop flights to Indianapolis, which AirTran Airways is also introducing this summer. In addition, Spirit Airlines is launching a service to Detroit. Meanwhile, the airport is preparing for the arrival of Virgin America, which plans to base itself at SFO, with corporate offices in the city, creating more than 2,000 jobs directly related to the airline and many more indirectly. The start-up carrier will be an offshoot of the Virgin Group, whose Virgin Atlantic has been operating services between San Francisco and London Heathrow since 1994. Developments this year have already seen the introduction of daily flights to Edmonton in Alberta by United Express and the stepping up of Air New Zealand’s non-stop service to Auckland to a daily frequency. As might be expected, the new international terminal has extensive shopping facilities, including some typically whacky West Coast outlets. Designed as a series of ‘villages’ representing Sausilito, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghiradelli Square, the San Francisco Bay Traders’ store, for example, presents an eclectic collection of Bay Area products. And for those who have time to linger, there is an exceptional collection of art works spread throughout various galleries at the airport. At-a-glance guide
Location: 16 miles/26km south of the city centre
Transport links: BART Rapid Rail operates services to northern San Mateo County, downtown San Francisco and the East Bay; SamTrans public buses; metered taxis cost approximately $37 to the downtown area and $44 to Fisherman’s Wharf
Annual passenger throughput: 35 million (estimated)
Minimum connecting time: 50 minutes (domestic); 1hr 45 minutes (international)
Executive lounges: Air France, British Airways, China Airlines, EVA Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Northwest, Philippine Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic (all located in International terminal); Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines (T1)
Facilities: business centre; PowerPort battery charging and Internet access station; mobile phone rental; express mail services; Christian Science reading room (T1); children’s activity centre; wide range of bars, cafes, restaurants and fast food outlets; extensive shopping, including a duty-free galleria, retailers selling a variety of San Francisco Bay products, and a SFMOMA Museum Store
Banks/cashpoints: full-service branch of Bank of America; currency exchange; ATMs in all three terminals
Hotels: Clarion, Holiday Inn, Embassy Suites, Best Western Grosvenor, Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn West Milbrae, La Quinta Inn, Hilton Garden Inn Burlingame, Hyatt Regency, Quality Inn and Suites, Comfort Suites South San Francisco
Car rental desks: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty
Passenger tax: included in ticket price
Website: www.flysfo.com
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