Summary
- Alaska Airlines opens its largest CA lounge at SFO Terminal 1 with more seating and views of iconic airplanes.
- The lounge offers quiet areas, workspaces, a candy station, a buffet, and pancake machines for all ages.
- Enjoy local wines, craft beers, sustainability, and upgraded facilities at Alaska’s newest lounge in SFO.
US carrier Alaska Airlines is opening its newest Alaska Lounge at San Francisco International Airport’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1 this week. When it opens tomorrow, Wednesday, July 24th, the 11,000-square-foot space will be the carrier’s largest lounge in California (with 55% more seating compared to the previous Alaska Lounge at Terminal 2).
Welcome to the West Coast
The lounge is located near gate B6, close to the newly opened The Club lounge and is open from 5:00-22:30 daily. Access is provided to those flying on long-haul flights in First Class and those with lounge memberships such as the Alaska Lounge program and oneworld Alliance partner American Airlines’ Admirals Club. Day passes can also be purchased by those flying on Alaska or one of its partners, with discounts offered for those with elite status in Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan frequent flyer program.
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Upon entering the space, stairs and an elevator lead to the reception area on the upper level. The space stretches along the side of the terminal, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views over the tarmac and gates of the International Terminal, allowing plane spotters to view some of the most iconic aircraft still flying.
San Francisco still offers flights on giants, from Emirates and British Airways Airbus A380s to Lufthansa’s Boeing 747s, which can still be booked using points and miles.
Exploring the space
The area is laid out like a long corridor with multiple spaces along the way for work, rest, relaxation, eating, and dining. To the right is the lounge’s “Take a breath” space. This area is designed for guests to rest, relax, and recharge. It’s quieter than other areas and features the signature loungers and haven chairs from other lounge locations, as well as plug-in outlets for charging devices at nearly every seat.
A new feature for this lounge is the addition of two talk boxes that allow guests to take calls or work in quiet on a first-come, first-serve basis. Speaking to assembled reporters at a media preview event, Todd Traynor-Corey, Manager of Guest Products, noted how the space seeks to accommodate travelers:
“That’s what our lounges are. It’s a place for our guests to relax and recharge, refuel. and reconnect.”
Snacks, sweets, and pancake machines
To the left of the entrance foyer is the “Help yourself” area. This space features traditional dining booths and long bars with stools along the window for solo travelers, complete with power sockets for those looking to fit in a bit of work before the flight. There is a barista station using local coffee from Ritual, followed by a candy station stocked with jars that carry favorite sweets from the local San Francisco Bay Area.
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A buffet can be found in the center with a rotating selection of hot and cold foods throughout the day, including a build-your-own noodles station. On the side, there is a station of pastries and bakery items like regional sourdough bread & avocado spread. The airline’s popular made-to-order pancake machine has become “such a beloved attraction for travelers of all ages” that a second one will be added to the space. There is also a menu of hot food available for purchase for those looking for a more substantial bite.
Following the dining area is another area for working and socializing, with booths along one wall and bar-style seating against the window with a power plug. The self-service food area continues with a fancy Coke machine offering an array of flavor options, an espresso machine, and a drip coffee station.
A beautiful mural on the wall separates the main space from the bathroom corridor. The bathrooms were adequate and included a baby changing area, but there were no shower stalls like those found in other flagship lounges.
The bar was elegantly decorated with textured wallpaper and wood accents above tasteful leather booths and seats. It offers a complimentary selection of local wines and craft beers on tap. Meanwhile, friendly and knowledgeable staff served drinks in chilled glasses while TV screens played sports games. SFO Airport Director Ivar Satero noted how the new space will facilitate connections for Bay Area travelers:
“We see such a great opportunity to further connect the world with Alaska’s partnership with American and oneworld connectivity. This is where it happens, on this side of our airport.
“So this is a really proud day for us because of that focus on the passenger experience. This is going to be such a wonderful amenity for all of the passengers of Alaska Airlines.”
The lounge was designed in partnership with William Duff Architects and earned a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for its commitment to sustainability. This week’s opening of the space marks the end of Alaska’s two-year, $30 million relocation project to Harvey Milk Terminal 1 as part of a $3 billion investment to enhance the airline’s infrastructure and guest experience.
It is the carrier’s largest lounge in the state, and the move positions Alaska as the largest carrier in Terminal 1 as it expands on a record summer schedule. From SFO, Alaska serves approximately 5 million passengers each year and, together with its partners, offers over 130 weekly flights to 18 international destinations.
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