Alaska Relocates to Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport

Alaska Airlines is on the move, the airline has relocated to Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Today marks the finishing touches of a two-year project to move the airline’s operation from Terminal 2 as part of a multimillion-dollar investment to enhance the passenger experience at SFO.

In the press release, Alaska touts the fact that it is the largest carrier in the terminal, though the airline still lags United in terms of overall flights from the airport. The move does put Alaska closer to fellow oneworld Alliance members and global partners which will provide passengers with better connectivity to domestic or international flights. From SFO, Alaska and its partners offer over 130 weekly international flights to 18 destinations.

As part of the move, Alaska becomes the first airline at SFO to offer travelers the use of automated bag drops to process checked bags. Guests can scan their boarding pass at the bag tag stations to print their bag tags. From there, they’ll head to automated bag drop units, which are designed to scan and accept checked baggage.

“Our new home in San Francisco International Airport’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1 delivers a world class experience that our guests will love while supporting our goals of innovation, sustainability and long-term growth. We’re excited to make this move for the approximately 5 million passengers we serve at SFO each year and that this positions us for future growth at our largest hub in California.”

Shane Jones, Senior Vice President, Fleet and Real Estate

A New Alaska Lounge is Also Coming to Terminal 1

Alaska is also opening a new, 11,000 square foot lounge in Terminal 1. Finishing touches are underway on the lounge and the opening will finalize the airline’s transition to the Harvey Milk terminal. The new lounge is expected to open in the next month.

The new lounge will feature 55% more seating than the airline’s previous lounge at SFO and will include their signature loungers for kicking back and relaxing. The lounge will feature San Francisco inspired touches as well as an expanded menu made with fresh local ingredients, a barista-staffed coffee bar and complimentary West Coast wine, spirits and craft brews.

Alaska Airlines SFO Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Fact Sheet:

• Sophisticated, state-of-the-art lobby with a 100 x 4.5 feet LED screen that features panoramic images of the San Francisco Bay Area
• Spacious lobby with 22 counters, more bag drop locations and agent assistance areas
• Bag tag stations to print bag tags after a quick scan of a boarding pass
• SFO’s first automated bag drop units to accept checked bags within minutes
• Digital signage throughout our lobby that will provide clear and convenient directions
• Two TSA checkpoints to choose from, including a convenient checkpoint on the mezzanine level for guests getting off SFO’s AirTrain or travelers looking to bypass the ticket counter
• A spacious 11,000 square foot Lounge with 55% more seating with plenty of our signature Loungers for kicking back, a barista staffed coffee bar and great views with unlimited daydreaming
• Post-security, guests will enjoy world-class amenities, including more terminal seating with power outlets, thoughtful children’s areas, inclusive restrooms, local retail and a wide variety of restaurant options
• Convenient location to our global partners and shared amenities, including American Airlines, which allows for easier connections to international carriers without leaving security or using SFO’s AirTrain to access another terminal or airline
• More gates for more flying and long-term growth, including gates dedicated to international arrivals and departures
• Gates that provide shorter taxi times and faster access to the runways – saving time and burning less fuel
• The first airport terminal in the world to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4 Platinum certification for the design, construction and operation of high-performance structures

Summary

Alaska Airlines has a new home at San Francisco International Airport. The airline has relocated to Harvey Milk Terminal 1 to be closer to its alliance partners and improve the overall travel experience for its passengers. Based on the photos it looks like a wonderful space and I can’t wait to see it in person!