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San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary international airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area in California, United States. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, and renovations and expansions are ongoing to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. SFO has a history of resilience, having quickly recovered from the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The airport has also adapted to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it continues to serve as a major hub for air travel on the West Coast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | San Francisco International Airport |
| Abbreviations | SFO, I, INTL |
| Location | San Francisco Bay Area, California, US |
| Owner | City and County of San Francisco |
| Operator | City and County of San Francisco |
| Ranking | 13th-busiest airport in the US, 29th-busiest in the world by 2023 passenger traffic |
| Hub for Airlines | United Airlines, Alaska Airlines |
| Renovation Status | $2.6 billion Terminal 3 West renovation project began in 2024 |
| Air Canada Check-in Counters | Moved to the south side of Terminal 2 on May 1, 2025 |
| AirTrain Red Line Service | Temporarily suspended from April 28 to May 11, 2025 |
| Curbside Regulations | Only for active passenger pickup and drop-off; no vehicle waiting |
| Previous Closure | Closed after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, reopened the next morning |
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What You'll Learn
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is open
The airport is a hub for United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, and it acts as a major maintenance facility. In 2023, SFO was ranked as the 13th busiest airport in the United States and the 29th busiest worldwide by passenger traffic. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport provided a free shuttle bus service to and from the South San Francisco Ferry Terminal, connecting with ferry services from Alameda and Oakland. BART trains and SamTrans buses also connect the airport with Caltrain via Millbrae station.
SFO has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years. In 2014, a $138 million project was completed, which included the reopening of Boarding Area E and Terminal 3 East. In 2020, a planned renovation for Terminal 3 West was postponed, but the project eventually broke ground in 2024 with a new budget of $2.6 billion. This ongoing project aims to seismically retrofit Terminal 3, add international arrival capabilities to several gates, renovate the check-in lobby, and expand the security checkpoint.
The airport has experienced temporary closures in the past, such as after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, but it reopened the following morning with minor runway repairs completed. SFO continues to operate and serve passengers, adapting to the dynamic aviation landscape.
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SFO closed briefly after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary international airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It is the largest airport in the Bay Area and the second-busiest in California after Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
On October 17, 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake struck the Central Coast of California. The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.9 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (violent), resulted in the temporary closure of SFO. The airport sustained minor damage to its runways, which was promptly repaired, allowing the airport to resume operations the following morning.
The Loma Prieta earthquake was centred in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Santa Cruz County, approximately 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Santa Cruz. The earthquake occurred on a section of the San Andreas Fault System, specifically the Loma Prieta segment, which was named for the nearby Loma Prieta Peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The duration of the heaviest shaking in the Santa Cruz Mountains was approximately 15 seconds. However, the intensity and duration of the shaking varied across the affected areas due to differences in soil types and thickness. Locations with unconsolidated soil, such as the Marina District in San Francisco, experienced more severe and prolonged shaking.
The earthquake resulted in 63 fatalities and 3,757 injuries. The damage was most severe in Santa Cruz County, with lighter damage reported in Monterey County to the south. The effects of the earthquake extended northward into the San Francisco Bay Area, impacting both the San Francisco Peninsula and Oakland across the bay.
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SFO is the largest airport in the Bay Area
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the largest airport in the Bay Area. It is also the second-busiest airport in the US state of California, after Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). In 2023, SFO was ranked as the 13th-busiest airport in the United States and the 29th-busiest in the world by passenger traffic.
SFO is located in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, approximately 12 miles (19 km; 10 nmi) southeast of San Francisco. The airport has a San Francisco mailing address and ZIP code. SFO is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco. It is a hub for United Airlines, serving as the airline's primary transpacific gateway and a major maintenance facility. SFO also functions as a hub for Alaska Airlines.
SFO has four terminals (1, 2, 3, and an International Terminal) and seven concourses (Boarding Areas A to G). The International Terminal, which opened in December 2000, is the largest international terminal in North America. It was designed by Craig W. Hartman of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and includes the San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Museum and Library. The International Terminal is a common-use facility, with all gates and ticketing areas shared among international airlines and several domestic carriers.
SFO is easily accessible via various transportation options. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) provides a direct connection to downtown San Francisco, Oakland, and other cities across the Bay Area. SamTrans buses also connect SFO to Caltrain, with a transfer at Millbrae Station. Additionally, car rental agencies, shuttles, taxis, and hotel courtesy shuttles are available at the airport.
SFO offers a range of amenities and services to cater to the needs of its passengers. These include state-of-the-art facilities such as a car wash, lost and found, and medical services. The airport also features an Airport Public Art Program Audio Tour, massage chairs, a nursing room, automated external defibrillators (AED), a piano, and a pet relief area. SFO was the first airport in the world to have a museum, the SFO Museum, which was established in 1980 and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in 1999.
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SFO is the second-busiest airport in California
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary international airport for the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco and is located in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, approximately 12 miles southeast of San Francisco.
The airport has a rich history dating back to the 1950s when it first started gaining traction. By the 1960s, airlines such as Pacific Air Lines, Delta Air Lines, and National Airlines were operating international jet services to and from SFO. During the 1990s and the dot-com boom, SFO became the sixth busiest airport in the world. However, since 2001, it has fallen out of the top 20 busiest airports globally.
SFO has undergone significant development and expansion over the years. In 2000, a $2.4 billion International Terminal Complex was opened, replacing Terminal 2. More recently, in 2024, a $2.6 billion renovation project broke ground for Terminal 3 West. This project includes seismic retrofitting, adding international arrivals capabilities, renovating the check-in lobby, and expanding the security checkpoint.
SFO is easily accessible via various transportation options, including BART trains, SamTrans buses, and California High-Speed Rail, which will connect to the airport via the Millbrae-SFO station. The airport also provides a range of ground transportation options, such as shuttle buses, "shared ride" vans, hotel courtesy shuttles, and charter services.
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SFO is a hub for United and Alaska Airlines
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary international airport for the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It is the largest airport in the Bay Area and the second-busiest in California, after Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). In 2023, SFO was ranked as the 13th busiest airport in the United States and the 29th busiest in the world by passenger traffic.
SFO is a hub for United Airlines, serving as the airline's primary transpacific gateway and a major maintenance facility. United has been investing in its SFO hub, with 20% more flying in 2025 compared to 2024, and a terminal refresh program to reinforce its dominance at the airport. The airline has added new routes and flights, including to Adelaide, Australia, and plans to offer approximately 300 daily flights during the summer of 2025, the most since 2019. United's SFO hub is also its fastest-growing hub to Latin America, with new routes to Belize, Monterrey in Mexico, and San Jose in Costa Rica. The airline has also resumed direct flights to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City via Hong Kong.
In addition to United, SFO is also a hub for Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines operates ten gates in the terminal, including B7-8, B10-11, and B15-16. The airline will remain as competition for United on short-haul flights.
SFO has undergone various renovation and expansion projects over the years, including the recent $2.6 billion Terminal 3 West Modernization Project, which will add more gates and new United Clubs. The airport is easily accessible via BART trains, SamTrans buses, and other transportation options, making it a convenient travel hub for passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
San Francisco Airport closed temporarily following the Loma Prieta earthquake on 17 October 1989, reopening the next morning.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary international airport for the San Francisco Bay Area.
Boarding Area E reopened on 28 January 2014, after a $183,300,000 renovation project.
The airport has a San Francisco mailing address and ZIP code, although it is situated in San Mateo County.
The Terminal 3 West renovation project broke ground in 2024, after a four-year delay.
