Owais Crawford
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a rich history, undergoing numerous expansions, demolitions, and reconstructions to meet the evolving needs of travellers. The airport's story began in the late 1920s, with the purchase of land from the Mills Estate, leading to the establishment of Mills Field Municipal Airport in 1929. Over the following decades, SFO expanded rapidly, with new runways, terminals, and control towers being added to accommodate the growing aviation industry and increasing passenger traffic. Today, SFO is a major international airport, offering non-stop flights to destinations worldwide and serving as a hub for several airlines. With a continuous focus on improvement, SFO has seen recent renovations and remains an important gateway to the San Francisco Bay Area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | San Francisco International Airport |
| IATA Code | SFO |
| ICAO Code | KSFO |
| FAA LID | SFO |
| Location | San Mateo County, California |
| Distance from San Francisco | Approximately 12 miles |
| Year of Construction | 1927-1931 |
| Year of Expansion | 1935, 1946, 1954, 1959, 1962, 1970s, 1990s, 2000, 2003, 2016 |
| Owner | City and County of San Francisco |
| Operator | City and County of San Francisco |
| Hub for | United Airlines, Alaska Airlines |
| Unions | Over a dozen, including Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) |
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What You'll Learn
San Francisco Airport was renamed San Francisco International Airport in 1946
San Francisco Airport, or SFO, has a rich history that dates back to the early days of aviation. The airport was originally known as Mills Field, named after the Mills Estate, from which the land for the airport was purchased in 1930. In 1931, the airport was renamed San Francisco Airport, reflecting its role as the primary airport serving the city of San Francisco.
During the early years of the airport, airlines such as Western Air Express, Maddox Air Lines, and Century Pacific utilised the field. By 1935, the airport had expanded significantly, extending its runway and constructing a seaplane harbour. In 1934, United Air Lines began service at the airport and quickly became a major player, a status it maintains to this day.
However, it was not until after World War II that the airport truly flourished. In 1946, the airport was rechristened San Francisco International Airport, signalling its growing importance as a hub for international travel. This expansion was driven by advances in aviation technology and a growing consumer market, with new commercial airliners revolutionising air travel. The airport underwent significant growth, with a new terminal building, a new control tower, and expanded runways being constructed.
The addition of "International" to the airport's name in 1946 reflected its increasingly global role. This was further emphasised by the entry of foreign airlines such as British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines and Philippine Airlines. By 1947, SFO had reached one million annual passengers, a remarkable milestone that highlighted the airport's growing significance. The construction of a new terminal, dedicated in 1954, showcased the airport's transformation into a bustling aviation hub.
Today, San Francisco International Airport continues to be a major gateway to the San Francisco Bay Area. It is known for its unionised labour force, with a wide range of employees belonging to various unions associated with the airline business. The airport has also undergone numerous expansions, demolitions, and reconstructions to meet the evolving needs of travellers. With its busy passenger traffic and dynamic history, San Francisco International Airport remains a pivotal aviation hub on the West Coast.
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The airport's first terminal opened in 1954
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has undergone numerous expansions, demolitions, and reconstructions to meet the evolving needs of travellers. The airport's first terminal opened on 27 August 1954, marking a significant milestone in its history.
The construction of the new terminal began in 1951, driven by advancements in aviation technology and the growing consumer market. The terminal, named the "Central Terminal", was designed in the International Style, boasting an innovative dual-level layout that efficiently separated departures from arrivals. This design feature enhanced the overall traffic flow, making it more streamlined and convenient for passengers.
The terminal building was more than just a gateway to the skies; it offered dedicated roadways that channelled traffic directly to the terminal. Additionally, both levels of the passenger entryways were equipped with hands-free, automatic doors, a novel invention at the time. The terminal also provided panoramic views of the airfield and San Francisco Bay from multiple spectators' terraces. The International Room restaurant, with its breathtaking views, further enhanced the overall experience.
The opening of the Central Terminal was a highly anticipated event, and it was celebrated with a three-day open house and flight festival that attracted nearly 600,000 visitors. The festivities included aerial performances, tours of the latest piston-engine airliners, and a showcase of jet-engine technology called "Jetorama". The event also featured the Air Force's newest jet fighters and bombers, such as the B-36 Peacekeeper and B-47 Stratojet.
The Central Terminal commenced passenger operations on 1 September 1954, and in its first year, it served over 2.5 million passengers. This number grew exponentially, and by the mid-1960s, annual passenger traffic surpassed 10 million. The opening of this terminal not only improved the airport's functionality but also contributed to the region's prosperity, solidifying SFO's position as a powerhouse in the aviation industry.
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SFO became a profitable operation in the 1950s
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has undergone numerous expansions, demolitions, and reconstructions to meet the evolving needs of travellers. The airport serves as a gateway to the San Francisco Bay Area, encompassing three main cities: San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.
In the 1950s, SFO experienced significant growth and transformation, establishing itself as a profitable operation. Here is an overview of this pivotal decade:
The 1950s: A Decade of Progress and Profitability
The 1950s marked a period of substantial development and financial success for SFO. By 1947, SFO had reached one million annual passengers, and this number doubled to two million in 1952. This rapid increase in passenger traffic highlighted the need for a more extensive administration building and terminal to accommodate the growing demand.
In 1951, construction commenced on a new terminal, reflecting the latest advancements in aviation technology and catering to the burgeoning consumer market. This terminal, known as the "Central Terminal," was officially dedicated on August 27, 1954, during a three-day celebration that attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees. The new terminal boasted innovative features such as dedicated roadways to streamline traffic and hands-free, automatic doors for passenger entryways. The panoramic views of the airfield and San Francisco Bay from the spectators' terraces further enhanced the experience.
The introduction of jet-powered airliners in the late 1950s revolutionised air travel, significantly reducing flight times and improving efficiency. SFO kept pace with these advancements, updating its facilities with longer runways, expansive taxiways, and modern passenger terminals.
During this decade, SFO also witnessed the expansion of its airline partnerships. In 1953, Delta Air Lines acquired Chicago & Southern Air Lines, inheriting its first international routes. By 1959, Pacific Air Lines began operating new Fairchild F-27s from SFO, further contributing to the airport's growing network.
The combination of increased passenger traffic, improved infrastructure, and expanding airline connections solidified SFO's position as a profitable operation in the 1950s, setting the stage for its emergence as a powerhouse for the region.
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The current International Terminal opened in 2000
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has undergone numerous expansions, demolitions, and reconstructions to meet the evolving needs of travellers. The airport's history dates back to the late 1920s when it was known as Mills Field Municipal Airport. In 1930, city leaders acquired additional land, expanding the airport's footprint, and in 1931, it was officially named San Francisco Airport.
Over the years, SFO has played a significant role in the aviation industry, becoming a powerhouse in the region by the late 1950s. The airport has continually adapted to advancements in aviation technology and increases in consumer demand. In 1954, a new terminal, the "Central Terminal," was inaugurated, showcasing the latest in airport design and functionality.
However, by the late 1990s, during the first Dotcom tech boom, SFO faced challenges with chronic delays due to outdated infrastructure. This prompted the need for further expansion and modernisation. In the early 2000s, SFO underwent its most recent significant expansion, culminating in the opening of the current International Terminal in December 2000.
The new International Terminal, designed by Craig W. Hartman of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, is the largest international terminal in North America. It boasts 15 gates in Boarding Area A (A1-A15) and 14 gates in Boarding Area G (G1-G14). The terminal is designed as a common-use facility, with shared gates and ticketing areas among international airlines and several domestic carriers.
The International Terminal is also notable for its earthquake-resistant design, making it the largest building in the world built on base isolators to protect against seismic activity. Food services in the terminal showcase quick-service versions of popular San Francisco Bay Area restaurants, contributing to the airport's goal of becoming a destination in its own right.
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The airport is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco. The airport is located in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, approximately 12 miles southeast of San Francisco. It serves as a gateway to the San Francisco Bay Area, which includes the cities of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.
The history of San Francisco International Airport dates back to the late 1920s when it was known as Mills Field. In 1930, the city leaders purchased additional land from the Mills Estate, and in 1931, the airport was renamed San Francisco Airport. During the early 1930s, the airport expanded with the addition of new runways and a seaplane harbor. By the mid-1930s, United Airlines had become a major player at the airport, a status it still holds today.
In 1947, the airport code "SFO" was introduced, and the increasing passenger traffic led to the construction of a new terminal, the Central Terminal, which opened in 1954. The postwar era saw a significant expansion of the airport, with new terminal buildings, a control tower, and extended runways. The late 1950s marked a profitable period for SFO, and it continued to grow and develop over the following decades.
The airport underwent further expansions and renovations in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. In the early 2000s, the city-owned facility completed its most recent expansion, adding a new International Terminal, an automated shuttle train system, and an extension of the BART train system to the airport. Today, SFO is the largest airport in the Bay Area and the second busiest in California. It is a hub for United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, offering nonstop flights to various destinations worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The San Francisco International Airport was built in 1931 and was known as the San Francisco Airport.
The former name of the airport was Mills Field Municipal Airport.
The first expansion of the San Francisco International Airport began in 1951 with the construction of a new terminal.
