R
emember the days when the
thought of an airport layover
brought shudders and a sense
of dread? Today’s airports are
breaking out of that mold—
and breaking all the old rules—to
offer bespoke services to modern
travelers. From luxury lounges,
modern spas and art museums to
wine bars, gourmet restaurants and
markets filled with fresh produce,
airports around the world are
revolutionizing the travel experience.
Discover a new place each month for
your next luxe layover.
San Francisco
International Airport: SFO
San Francisco International Airport
(SFO) started out 85 years ago as
a dirt strip in a cow pasture. The city
leased 150 acres of land in 1927 for
three years (at a cost of $1500/year)
to test the waters and see if an
airport would be popular. During
its first month of operation, 19
passengers flew into the new airport.
The first commercial airline at the new
airport was Boeing Air Transport,
which became part of the new United
Airlines in 1934, along with National
Air Transport, Pacific Air Transport
and Varney Air Lines. SFO remains one
of United’s largest hubs.
Today, the “Gateway to the Pacific”
hosts more than 45 million
passengers every year on 59
domestic and international airlines
with more than 3,600 flights every
week, flying to more than 65 US
cities and 32 international locations.
There are now three regular
terminals (1 through 3) and an
international terminal at SFO.
Terminal 1 serves AirTran, Delta,
Frontier, Southwest and US Airways
(subject to change due to the merger
with American Airlines). Terminal
2 is home to American and Virgin
America. Terminal 3 is the home of
United (domestic flights). There are
32 international airlines, including
United’s international flights, using
the International Terminal.
American Airlines Admirals Club is
inside security in Terminal 2. The
Admirals Club is open from 4:30am
to midnight daily with conference
rooms, PCs, free WiFi, showers and
food for purchase. Passengers on any
airline may purchase a day pass to
use the Admirals Club.
SFO has recently updated Terminal
3 with a $138 million renovation,
creating one of the world’s most
updated boarding areas. Used for
United flights, the T3 boarding area
houses 10 gates with neighborhood
restaurants, children’s play areas,
lounge furniture, ambient floor
lighting, WiFi, ample electrical
outlets, lighting that aligns with our
circadian rhythms, plenty of natural
light and a yoga room with a Zen
relaxation quality. The AirTrain
operates 24 hours and connects you
to all of the terminals as well as the
BART station, which can whisk you
downtown in about 15 minutes,
making it an ideal way to see the
city during an extra long layover.
British Airways Terraces Lounge is
after security in the International
Terminal. The lounge opens at noon
and remains open until the last
departure of the day.
Airport Clubs & Lounges
SFO is one of the largest airports
in the US and a major gateway to
flights across the Pacific. In part
because of the number of
international flights, you will find
more lounges and clubs at SFO than
at many airports of comparable size.
There are 17 lounges at SFO, each
offering different services:
Air France-KLM Lounge is inside
security in the International
Terminal. It is open from 8am to
4:30pm daily and offers free WiFi,
computers, TVs, restrooms and
reading material.
Cathay Pacific First and Business
Class Lounge is after security in the
International Terminal. The lounge
opens four hours prior to flight
departure. This luxurious lounge
has a buffet and noodle bar, reading
material, computer workstations,
restrooms, phones, TVs, a business
center, free WiFi and showers.
China Airlines Dynasty Lounge is
after security in the International
Terminal. The lounge is open daily
from 9:30pm to 1:30am during the
summer months and from 8pm to
midnight in winter. The lounge has
a luggage storage room, restrooms,
PCs, buffet, snacks, beverages and
reading materials.
Delta Sky Club Lounge is before
security in Terminal 1, on the
Mezzanine level above the ticket
counters. The lounge offers free
WiFi and is open 5am to midnight.
Emirates Lounge is after security in
Boarding Area A of the International
Terminal. If you’re flying First or
Business Class or as an Emirates
Skywards Platinum or Gold member,
you can enjoy this luxurious lounge.
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There is a full bar, large buffet with
breakfast items early, followed by
a selection of Arabic, Far Eastern,
Western and Vegetarian cuisine
along with desserts. There is
comfortable seating, TVs,
international magazines and papers,
showers, business center with
PCs and free WiFi.
EVA Air Evergreen Lounge is after
security in Boarding Area G of the
International Terminal. The lounge
has TVs, reading material and
free WiFi.
Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge is
through security in Boarding Area
A of the International Terminal. The
lounge is open from three hours to
30 minutes prior to departure. The
lounge offers free WiFi, TVs, food
and beverage.
Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounge
is past security in Boarding Area
A of the International Terminal.
Singapore Airlines SilverKris
Lounge is inside security in Boarding
Area G of the International Terminal.
This luxurious “home away from
home” is open from 10:30am to
1:30pm and 9:30pm to 12:45am
in summer and from 9:30am to
12:30pm and 8:35pm to 11:45pm
in winter. Travelers can enjoy a