SFO Airport Facts and Information

The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the largest airport in the San Francisco Bay Area and the second biggest in the state of California after the Los Angeles International Airport. SFO is located 13 miles south of the Downtown area and it is right next to the cites of San Bruno and Millbrae. In 2008, SFO was ranked as the 10th largest airport in the United States, and the 21st largest airport in the world by the Airports Council International. The rankings are determined by passenger traffic. In 2008, SFO served a total of 37,405,467 passengers. SFO is also the central hub for Virgin America and one of the biggest hubs for United Airlines.

Background

The San Francisco Airport opened in 1927 as the Mills Field Municipal Airport, so named after the landowner, Ogden L. Mills, who leased to the city the 150 acres upon which the airport was built. In 1931 the airport was renamed the San Francisco Municipal Airport. It began servicing domestic flights en masse during World War II, when the military took over the Oakland International Airport, forcing its usual civilian passengers to be shifted over to the SF Airport. The airport did not chance name to the San Francisco International Airport until 1955.

Public Transportation

The airport's AirTrain is a fully automated, people-mover system that takes passengers from one terminal to another, as well as to the terminal garages, the Car Rental Center and the BART station. The BART is the Bay Area's railway system and it connects the San Francisco Airport to the City, the East Bay and surrounding areas. There are also several bus routes that connect terminals 2, 3 and the International Terminal to the City of San Francisco and the Peninsula.

Parking

SFO parking facilities provide short- and long-term parking. Passengers can also opt to park at one of the nearby BART stations (after purchasing a BART station parking permit online) and then take the rail to the airport.

Amenities

SFO has several food courts that include a variety of fast-food and sit down restaurants. Other amenities include shopping centers, baggage storage facilities, public showers, free public Wi-Fi, passenger assistance services and a medical clinic. Visitors can learn about aviation at the Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum and the SF Airport Commission Aviation Library, and enjoy the different art exhibits located throughout the various terminals.

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