Jazmin Li
San Francisco International Airport, commonly referred to by its airport code, SFO, is the primary international airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It is the second-busiest airport in California and the 29th-busiest in the world, offering nonstop flights to Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the US. The airport has four terminals and seven concourses with a total of 120 gates. Terminal 1 was renamed after gay rights activist Harvey Milk, making it the world's first airport terminal named after a leader of the LGBTQ+ community. The airport also has a variety of facilities, dining options, and entertainment in the form of Airport Public Art, the Oakland Aviation Museum, and Metropolitan Golf Links.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | San Francisco International Airport |
| Airport Code | SFO |
| Location | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Number of Terminals | 4 (Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and International Terminal) |
| Number of Concourses | 7 |
| Number of Gates | 120 |
| Airlines Operating | United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Emirates, Lufthansa, Jet Airways, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airlines, Air India, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, KLM, Finnair, etc. |
| Facilities | Car wash, lost and found, medical services, dining, shopping, Wi-fi, postal services, ATM, showers, lounges, etc. |
| Transportation Options | Car rentals, shuttles, taxis, train (BART), AirTrain (landside people-mover system) |
| Historical Significance | Used as a Coast Guard base and Army Air Corps training base during World War II |
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What You'll Learn
Terminals and concourses
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It is the second-busiest airport in California and the 29th-busiest in the world, with almost 58 million passengers travelling through the airport annually. SFO offers nonstop flights to Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the US.
The airport has four terminals (1, 2, 3, and International) and seven concourses with a total of 120 gates arranged alphabetically in a counterclockwise ring. Terminal 1 (renamed after gay rights activist Harvey Milk in 2019) has gates B, Terminal 2 has gates C and D, and Terminal 3 has gates E and F. These three terminals handle domestic and precleared international flights. The International Terminal has gates A and G and handles international flights and some domestic flights. Terminal 2 is the oldest terminal building still standing, completed in 1954 as the Central Terminal with four concourses (Piers B, C, D, and E).
In 2022, Air Canada and Breeze Airways moved into Terminal 2, and in 2025, Southwest Airlines followed suit, moving all operations to Terminal 2. Terminal 3, also known as the "North Terminal", is composed of Boarding Area E with 13 gates and Boarding Area F with 18 gates. Terminal 3 is used for United Airlines' domestic flights. The SFO AirTrain is a free, fully automated people-mover system that connects all four terminals, the two international terminal garages, the BART station, and the airport's Rental Car Center.
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History
San Francisco International Airport (IATA: SFO, ICAO: KSFO, FAA LID: SFO) is the primary international airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area in California, United States. It is the second-busiest airport in California, after Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and ranked as the 29th busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic in 2023.
The history of San Francisco International Airport dates back to the late 1920s. The City of San Francisco purchased the tidelands at the eastern edge of the Darius Ogden Mills Estate in San Mateo County, opening the airport as Mills Field Municipal Airport of San Francisco. In 1927, the City and County of San Francisco leased 150 acres of land at the present airport site for a temporary and experimental airport project. The airport was officially named Mills Field Municipal Airport of San Francisco and a dedication ceremony was held on May 7, 1927.
In 1930, city leaders decided to purchase 1,112 acres from the Mills Estate, and the airport was renamed San Francisco Airport in 1931. During this time, Western Air Express, Maddox Air Lines, and Century Pacific began utilising the airport. In 1934, United Airlines joined and quickly became a major player, offering service to Los Angeles and New York with Douglas DC-3 aircraft. By 1936, the airport had three runways and a seaplane harbour under construction.
During World War II, the airport served as a Coast Guard base and Army Air Corps training and staging base, known as Naval Auxiliary Air Facility Mills Field and Coast Guard Air Station, San Francisco. In 1944, Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) moved its Pacific and Alaska seaplane operations to SFO after Treasure Island was expropriated for military use. After World War II, the airport was renamed San Francisco International Airport, reflecting the expansion of overseas service.
In the late 1950s, SFO underwent significant growth and became a profitable operation. A new terminal, the "Central Terminal", was dedicated in 1954, featuring jet fighters and bombers that attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators. In 1962, the first Hilton Airport Hotel opened at San Francisco International.
Since then, SFO has continued to expand and improve its facilities. In the 1990s, it became the nation's 9th busiest airport, experiencing chronic delays due to outdated runways. In the early 2000s, the airport completed its most recent expansion, adding a dedicated International Terminal and a 6-mile automated shuttle train system. Today, SFO offers nonstop flights to destinations worldwide and is known for its world-class facilities, shopping, and dining options.
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Airlines
San Francisco International Airport, commonly referred to by its airport code, SFO, is the primary international airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It is the second-busiest airport in California and the 29th busiest in the world. SFO offers nonstop flights to Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the US.
The airport has four terminals (1, 2, 3, and International) and seven concourses with a total of 120 gates. Terminal 1 (B gates), Terminal 2 (C and D gates), and Terminal 3 (E and F gates) handle domestic and pre-cleared flights. The International Terminal (A and G gates) handles international flights and some domestic flights.
The largest airlines operating at SFO include United Airlines, which uses the airport as its primary transpacific gateway, and Alaska Airlines, which has a hub at the airport. Other major airlines at SFO include Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, American Airlines, Air Canada, and Emirates.
In addition to SFO, there are two other international airports in the San Francisco Bay Area: Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (KSJC) and Oakland International Airport (KOAK). Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and serves a population of over 4 million. Airlines operating from this airport include British Airways, All Nippon Airways (ANA), United, Air Canada, Delta, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines, among others. Oakland International Airport is partnered with 13 airlines that fly to 55 domestic and international destinations, including Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, and Volaris.
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Facilities
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It is the second-busiest airport in California and the 29th-busiest in the world, serving almost 58 million passengers.
SFO has four terminals (1, 2, 3, and International) and seven concourses, with a total of 120 gates. Terminal 1 (renamed after gay rights activist Harvey Milk in 2019), Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 handle domestic and pre-cleared flights, while the International Terminal handles international and some domestic flights. The airport provides a range of facilities and services, including:
- A car wash
- Lost and found
- Medical services
- Wi-fi
- Postal services
- ATMs
- Lounges
- Shopping
- Dining
The airport also has an AirTrain system, which is fully automated and free of charge. It connects all four terminals, the two international terminal garages, the BART station, and the airport's Rental Car Center.
For those looking to stay at the airport, the Grand Hyatt at SFO offers luxurious rooms with stunning views of the bay and airport through soundproof floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel also features a bar and traditional sushi options.
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Transport options
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary international airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It is the second busiest airport in California and the 29th busiest in the world. SFO offers nonstop flights to Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the US.
Public transport
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) provides a fast connection between Oakland Airport and the Coliseum Station. The AirTrain is another fully automated and free option that connects all four terminals, the two international terminal garages, the BART station, and the airport's Rental Car Center.
Car
Car rental agencies are available on-site, including Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
Taxi
Metered taxis are available 24 hours a day at the ground transportation area.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code for San Francisco International Airport is SFO, with each letter pronounced individually.
Airlines that operate from San Francisco International Airport include Emirates, Lufthansa, Jet Airways, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airlines, Air India, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, KLM, Finnair, and American Airlines, among others.
San Francisco International Airport offers state-of-the-art facilities, including a car wash, lost and found, and medical services. The airport also provides world-class shopping and dining options. In addition, the airport's landside people-mover system, known as AirTrain, is fully automated and free of charge, connecting all four terminals and other key areas.
