Ruth Haines
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers a wide range of airport lounges for travellers to relax and unwind before their flight. While some lounges are exclusive to premium cabin passengers or frequent flyers, others can be accessed with a day pass, membership programme or credit card. This article will explore the various options available for accessing the airport's lounges, including the benefits and restrictions of each method. It will also provide an overview of the different lounges available, such as the Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, and United Polaris Lounge, to help travellers choose the best option for their needs.
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What You'll Learn
Priority Pass lounges and restaurants
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers a good selection of lounges, as expected for a large international airport. Priority Pass members can access several lounges and restaurants at the airport, including the Golden Gate Lounge, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, and China Airlines Lounge.
The Priority Pass lounge network has the widest airport lounge access with more than 1,400 lounge options worldwide, making it the largest network in the world. At SFO, Priority Pass members can access lounges across various terminals, including International Terminal A, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3.
One specific lounge that accepts Priority Pass members is The Club SFO, located in Terminal 1. To get to The Club SFO, go through the main security checkpoint, keep left, and follow the signs to the B gates. The lounge is located on the right, just before Gate B4. It can also be reached from International Terminal A with a short 5-minute walk post-security. Access is permitted 3 hours before your scheduled flight departure. Children under 2 years are admitted free, while children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. Alcoholic drinks are only served to passengers 21 years of age or older. The lounge also offers a separate children's play area and a quiet area.
In addition to the lounges accessible with a Priority Pass, there are other lounges at SFO that can be accessed with day passes or other methods. These include the Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, United Polaris Lounge, Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, and Air France KLM Lounge. The United Polaris Lounge is known for its premium dining options and private rest spaces.
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Lounges for premium cabin passengers
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a good selection of lounges, as expected for a large international airport. Many of its lounges are operated by international carriers such as China Airlines, Emirates, and Cathay Pacific, as SFO is a major gateway to Asia and Europe. Most SFO lounges are exclusively for premium cabin passengers or frequent flyers with elite status, but some offer day passes or accept Priority Pass.
Delta Sky Club
Passengers will be able to access Delta Sky Clubs within 3 hours of their scheduled departure time, while connecting passengers can access Delta Sky Clubs in the connecting airport at any time before departure.
Emirates Lounge
The Emirates Lounge is located in the International Terminal A, between gates A2 and A6. Paid entry is accepted, but limited to 4 hours prior to the scheduled departure time for Dubai and 3 hours for all other airports. Accepted payments are by credit or debit card, and miles redemption or cash are not accepted.
Cathay Pacific Lounge
The Cathay Pacific Lounge is located in International Terminal A near Gate A1. To get there, proceed through Security Checkpoint A and turn left.
Vietnam Airlines Lounge
The Vietnam Airlines Lounge is open on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. DragonPass and Priority Pass members are welcome.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is located in Terminal 2, sector 4, on the fourth floor. It is generally for departing passengers only, except for Aeroplan Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K, and Elite 50K members, who may access the lounge on arrival from a domestic flight. A same-day boarding card must be displayed at reception, and mobile phones must not be used in the lounge's cell-free zones.
Golden Gate Lounge, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, and China Airlines Lounge
These lounges are available to Priority Pass members.
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Lounges with day passes
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers a variety of lounges across its terminals, including the Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, and United Polaris Lounge. The United Polaris Lounge is known for its premium dining options and private rest spaces.
While most SFO lounges cater exclusively to premium cabin passengers or frequent flyers with elite status, some offer day passes or accept Priority Pass. For example, Priority Pass members can access the Golden Gate Lounge, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, and China Airlines Lounge.
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at SFO, located in Terminal 2, Sector 4, on the fourth floor, is generally for departing passengers only. However, Aeroplan Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K, and Elite 50K members may access the lounge on arrival from a domestic flight by presenting a same-day boarding card.
The Emirates Lounge in International Terminal A between gates A2 and A6 also offers paid entry, limited to four hours before the scheduled departure time for Dubai and three hours for other airports. Payment must be made by credit or debit card, as miles redemption or cash are not accepted.
Additionally, The Club is San Francisco's latest airport lounge, providing a tranquil retreat for travellers before their flights.
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AirTrain transportation between terminals
San Francisco International Airport's AirTrain provides free transportation between all terminals, terminal garages, the BART Station, and the Grand Hyatt at SFO. The AirTrain operates on two lines, the Red Line and the Blue Line, which run every four minutes. The Red Line travels in a clockwise loop around the central terminal area, which takes about nine minutes to complete. The Blue Line travels in a counterclockwise loop, serving the same stations in reverse order, and also proceeding to Westfield Road, the Rental Car Center, and long-term parking, which takes 25 minutes for a round trip.
The AirTrain is fully automated and runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is wheelchair accessible, with designated spaces at each end of the AirTrain cars and elevator service at all stations. The AirTrain system was built at a cost of $430 million and is composed of 38 Innovia APM 100 cars coupled in trains of up to three cars.
Passengers can access the AirTrain from the International Terminal Main Hall near the A and G Gates on Level 4. From the Domestic Parking Garage, AirTrain Stations can be found at Zones B, D, and F on Level 5. From International Garages A and G, take the elevator or stairs to Level 7.
While the AirTrain offers quick transportation between terminals, it operates outside the secure area, so passengers must exit and re-enter through security when travelling between terminals. This can cause delays, so it is important to allow extra time when travelling between terminals to access a particular lounge.
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Lounge locations and hours
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a good selection of lounges across its terminals. The airport is the seventh-busiest airport in the US, serving more than 51 million passengers annually. Most lounges at SFO are exclusively for premium cabin passengers or frequent flyers with elite status, but some offer day passes or accept Priority Pass.
The Club SFO is located in Terminal 1, just before Gate B4. It can also be reached from International Terminal A, which is a short 5-minute walk post-security. The lounge is open daily from 04:30 to 23:30, and access is permitted 3 hours prior to scheduled flight departure.
The Cathay Pacific Lounge can be found in International Terminal A near Gate A1. The Vietnam Airlines Lounge is open on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. DragonPass and Priority Pass members are welcome here.
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is located in Terminal 2, Sector 4, on the fourth floor. It is open from Monday through Wednesday and Friday from 5:30 am to 10:15 pm, and from 5:30 am to 4 pm on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Access is generally for departing passengers only, except for Aeroplan Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K, and Elite 50K members, who may access the lounge upon arrival from a domestic flight.
Other lounges at SFO include the Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, United Polaris Lounge, Golden Gate Lounge, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, and the China Airlines Lounge.
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Frequently asked questions
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has eight Priority Pass locations, including the Golden Gate Lounge, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, and China Airlines Lounge. However, only half of these are lounges, while the rest are restaurants.
Yes, some airport lounges in San Francisco offer day passes. These include the Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, and United Polaris Lounge.
You can use the AirTrain to get between terminals at SFO. However, you will need to clear security to access each terminal, so make sure to leave enough time if you are travelling between terminals to visit a lounge.
