San Francisco Airport: A Sprawling Transportation Hub

how big is san francisco airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco, California, United States. Covering an area of 21.07km² (8.1 square miles), it is the eighth-largest airport in the US. The airport has four terminals, including the International Terminal, which was the biggest in North America when it opened in 2000. In 2023, SFO was the 14th busiest airport in the US and 30th busiest in the world, handling over 50 million passengers.

shunhotel

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco

SFO is the largest airport in Northern California and the second-busiest in the state, and on the Western Coast of North America, after Los Angeles International Airport. In 2017, it was the seventh-busiest airport in the United States and the 24th-busiest in the world by passenger count.

The airport has four terminals, including the International Terminal, which was the largest in North America when it opened in 2000. It was also the first in the world to have gates able to accommodate the Airbus A380 double-decker aircraft. The Harvey Milk Terminal, previously known as Terminal 1, features boarding areas B with 24 gates, and C with 10 gates. Terminal 2 is the airport's oldest, having opened in 1954, while Terminal 3 is used by United Airlines for domestic flights.

SFO is a major gateway to Europe and Asia, and it is the fifth-largest hub for United Airlines, which uses it as its primary transpacific gateway. It also serves as a secondary hub for Alaska Airlines and a major maintenance hub for United Airlines.

shunhotel

SFO is the largest airport in Northern California

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the largest airport in Northern California. Located 12-14 miles south of downtown San Francisco, SFO is the primary international airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Covering an area of 21.07 square kilometres (8.1 square miles), it is one of the largest airports in North America by land area.

SFO is a major gateway to Europe and Asia and has flights throughout North America. The airport is a hub for United Airlines, serving as its primary transpacific gateway and a major maintenance hub, and a secondary hub for Alaska Airlines. In 2023, SFO was the 14th busiest airport in the US and 29th busiest in the world by passenger count, handling over 50 million passengers.

SFO has four terminals, including an international terminal, and four asphalt runways. 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 the city. SFO is also home to one of the largest single aircraft maintenance bases in the world, serving over 40 airlines and military customers.

The airport offers a range of amenities, including the Grand Hyatt hotel, the Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum and Library, and various dining options. SFO also provides easy access to ground transportation, with the AirTrain people mover system connecting terminals, parking lots, and the BART station for direct rail transportation to downtown San Francisco and other areas.

shunhotel

SFO is the 8th largest airport in the US by land area

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the 8th largest airport in the US by land area. Covering 21.07 square kilometres (8.1 square miles), it is the largest airport in Northern California and the second-busiest in the state after Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

SFO is located 12 to 14 miles south of downtown San Francisco, near Millbrae, Burlingame, and San Bruno in unincorporated San Mateo County. It is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco and functions as a major gateway to Europe and Asia.

The airport has four terminals, including the International Terminal, which was the largest in North America when it opened in 2000. SFO also has four asphalt runways, with two intersecting sets of parallel runways. The airport is served by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which allows passengers to travel directly to downtown San Francisco, Oakland, and other cities in the Bay Area.

SFO is a major hub for several airlines, including United Airlines, which uses it as its primary transpacific gateway and a major maintenance base. It is also a hub for Alaska Airlines and a secondary hub for Alaska Airlines. In 2023, SFO was ranked as the 14th busiest airport in the US and 29th busiest in the world by passenger count, serving more than 50 million passengers.

shunhotel

SFO is the 14th busiest airport in the US and 30th busiest in the world

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a bustling hub located 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco, California. Covering an area of 21.07 square kilometres (or 5,207 acres), it is the largest airport in the San Francisco Bay Area and the 8th largest in North America.

SFO's prominence is further highlighted by its passenger traffic, ranking as the 14th busiest airport in the US and 30th busiest worldwide in 2023, serving over 50 million passengers. It is also a significant gateway to Europe and Asia and the second-busiest airport in California and on the Western Coast of North America.

The airport features four terminals, including the International Terminal, which was the largest in North America upon its opening in 2000. SFO is also a major hub for United Airlines, serving as their primary transpacific gateway and a significant maintenance base.

With its size, passenger volume, and role as an international gateway, SFO plays a crucial role in connecting San Francisco with the rest of the world.

shunhotel

SFO has 4 terminals, 115 gates and an AirTrain people-mover system

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a large airport with 4 terminals, 115 gates, and an AirTrain people-mover system. The airport is located 13-14 miles south of downtown San Francisco, near Millbrae, Burlingame, and San Bruno in unincorporated San Mateo County. It is the largest airport in Northern California and the second-busiest in the state and on the Western Coast of North America, after Los Angeles International Airport.

SFO's AirTrain is a fully automated and free people-mover system that connects all four terminals, the two international terminal garages, the BART station, and the airport's Rental Car Center. The airport has a total of 115 gates across its four terminals, including the International Terminal.

The International Terminal, which opened in 2000, spans 167,226m2 (41.3 acres) and was the first in the world to accommodate the Airbus A380 double-decker aircraft. It is also designed to be earthquake-resistant and can withstand up to a magnitude 8 earthquake.

The other three terminals at SFO include the Harvey Milk Terminal 1 (formerly known as Terminal 1 or the South Terminal), Terminal 2, and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 is the oldest, opening in 1954, while Terminal 3 comprises boarding areas E and F and is used by United Airlines for domestic flights.

In addition to its four terminals and 115 gates, SFO also boasts a variety of amenities for travellers, including the SkyTerrace, which offers beautiful views of the Bay, and nap and shower facilities. The airport also features aviation and art exhibits, interactive murals, and sculptures.

Frequently asked questions

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) covers 21.07km² (8.1 square miles).

San Francisco International Airport has four terminals.

San Francisco International Airport is 13-14 miles south of downtown San Francisco.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment