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{{categorybox|North America|United States|California}}
{{categorybox|North America|United States|California}}


San Francisco International Airport(KSFO/SFO) is an international airport located in Northern California. It is located 13 miles south of San Francisco near the cities of San Bruno and Millbrae. It is a hub for United Airlines and is their gateway to Asia. Virgin America is also based at SFO. It is the largest airport in Northern California and the second busiest airport in California, after [[Los Angeles International Airport]]. It features 4 runways, configured in pairs, perpendicularly.  
San Francisco International Airport is an international airport located in Northern California. It is located 13 miles south of San Francisco near the cities of San Bruno and Millbrae. It is a hub for United Airlines and is their gateway to Asia. Virgin America is also based at SFO. It is the largest airport in Northern California and the second busiest airport in California, after [[Los Angeles International Airport]]. It features 4 runways, configured in pairs, perpendicularly.  


{{infobox|fullname=San Francisco<br />International Airport|location=San Francisco, California|iata=SFO|icao=KSFO|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.flysfo.com|mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=SFO&ll=37.619534,-122.385035&spn=0.057675,0.118721&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=120.5 269.1|atcground=121.8|atcclearance=118.2|atcapproach=134.5 135.65 133.95|atcdeparture=120.9 (NW-E)<br />135.1 (SE-W)|atcatis=|atcunicom=122.95|psh=http://www.plane-spotting-hotels.com/index.php/plane-spotting-san-francisco/}}
{{infobox|fullname=San Francisco<br />International Airport|location=San Francisco, California|iata=SFO|icao=KSFO|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.flysfo.com|mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=SFO&ll=37.619534,-122.385035&spn=0.057675,0.118721&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=120.5 269.1|atcground=121.8|atcclearance=118.2|atcapproach=134.5 135.65 133.95|atcdeparture=120.9 (NW-E)<br />135.1 (SE-W)|atcatis=|atcunicom=122.95|psh=http://www.plane-spotting-hotels.com/index.php/plane-spotting-san-francisco/}}
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==Official Spotting Locations==
==Official Spotting Locations==


There are currently no official spotting locations at SFO.  The previous spotting locations at the approach end of RWY 01 was closed after 9/11, and the terminal observation decks were closed even before then.
===International Terminal G Observation Terrace===


However, the [http://www.flysfo.com/museum/aviation-museum-library San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum] is within International Terminal A Side. It is open daily from 10am to 4:30pm except Saturday. Their collection is surprisingly extensive, though not all of it is on display.  It's worth stopping in if you're there when it's open.  Also, temporary rolling exhibitions exist security within the International Terminal as well as air-side Terminal 2 and 3. Public art from the San Francisco Arts Commission is on display throughout the terminals.
In February 2019, an outdoor observation terrace opened at the end of Concourse G of the International Terminal. It is airside and easily accessible to passengers flying out of that concourse as well as Terminal 3. Passengers with a same day boarding pass for a flight from another terminal should be able to access the terrace as well, though it will require clearing security a second time to reach the gate for the departing flight. Open daily from 7:00am to 11:30pm.
 
The terrace located at the end of the concourse, atop the boarding lounges for gates G99 and G101. It also provides a good view of aircraft as they enter and exit the ramp for Concourse G and odd-numbered gates 81-89 in Terminal 3. The entrance is next to Joe & The Juice. Be aware that you will be shooting through glass if you're taking photos.
 
===Terminal 2 SkyTerrace===
 
This observation deck atop Terminal 2 is landside and open to the public with no boarding pass required. The terrace offers close views of the 10/28 runways, which in normal weather are used for most arrivals as well as heavy departures. the 1/19 runways are also visible. The entrance is behind the Starbucks in Terminal 2. Access is up two floors via staircase or a dedicated elevator. A security screening is required to access the terrace, but TSA restrictions on liquids don't apply.
 
For Winter 2021/2022, the SkyTerrace is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 10am until 6pm.
 
For more information, see https://www.flysfo.com/skyterrace
 
===Aviation Library===
 
The [http://www.flysfo.com/museum/aviation-museum-library San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum] is within International Terminal A. It is open daily from 10am to 4:30pm except Saturday. Their collection is surprisingly extensive, though not all of it is on display.  It's worth stopping in if you're there when it's open.  Also, temporary rolling exhibitions exist security within the International Terminal as well as air-side Terminal 2 and 3. Public art from the San Francisco Arts Commission is on display throughout the terminals.


==Other Spotting Locations==
==Other Spotting Locations==
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===Bayfront Park===
===Bayfront Park===


Bayfront Park is located at the end of Millbrae Ave. along Bayshore Hwy.  It affords good views of all four runways, but it is somewhat distant (about one mile) from 10R/28L and 10L/28R, so you'll need a long lens for photos (about 700mm to get close to regional jets).  1R/19L and 1R/19R are closer, however, a chain link fence was recently built next to the runways that limits photography.
Bayfront Park is located at the end of Millbrae Ave. along Bayshore Hwy.  It affords good views of all four runways, but it is somewhat distant (about one mile) from 10R/28L and 10L/28R, so you'll need a long lens for photos (about 700mm to get close to regional jets, 450mm should be good for the heavies).  1R/19L and 1R/19R are closer, however, a chain link fence was recently built next to the runways that limits photography.
{{anetlink|694555}} (1R departure, before the fence was built)
{{anetlink|694555}} (1R departure, before the fence was built)
{{anetlink|950203}} (28L arrival)
{{anetlink|950203}} (28L arrival)
{{anetlink|2760813}} (Another 28 arrival)


To reach the park, take the Millbrae Ave. exit off US-101, and head north-east, towards the bay.  At the end of Millbrae Ave., make a right turn.  You will see the park on your left; the first left turn you can make takes you into the park's small, free parking lot.  The large, divided section of the lot is a pay lot for the Marriott Hotel.  There is alternate free parking across the street at the Westin, though it is only a few spaces (turn into the Westin parking lot, and take an immediate left before the lobby circle).  If all else fails, you can park nearly anywhere on the side-streets.
To reach the park, take the Millbrae Ave. exit off US-101, and head north-east, towards the bay.  At the end of Millbrae Ave., make a right turn.  You will see the park on your left; the first left turn you can make takes you into the park's small, free parking lot.  The large, divided section of the lot is a pay lot for the Marriott Hotel.  There is alternate free parking across the street at the Westin, though it is only a few spaces (turn into the Westin parking lot, and take an immediate left before the lobby circle).  If all else fails, you can park nearly anywhere on the side-streets.
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Various locations within the airport, but outside security, offer reasonable views:
Various locations within the airport, but outside security, offer reasonable views:
* Parking Garage G -- 28 departures, and some ramp / taxiway A views.  Take AirTrain to Garage G/BART and take the elevator up to parking level 9.  You will not have warning of RWY 28 departures, but you will be able to see them just after rotation -- bring a radio!
 
* Parking Garage A -- Good shots of the west ramp of International Terminal A
'''Parking Garage G''' -- 28 departures, and some ramp / taxiway A views.  Take AirTrain to Garage G/BART and take the elevator up to parking level 9.  You will not have warning of RWY 28 departures, but you will be able to see them just after rotation -- bring a radio! {{anetlink|2747465}}
* AirTrain station at the rental car facility (blue line) -- Very good views of runway 10 arrivals on bad weather days; however the windows are often very dirty.
 
* AirTrain approaching terminal 1 -- View of aircraft at the International A gates (Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, Emirates, etc).
'''Parking Garage A''' -- Good shots of the west ramp of International Terminal A {{anetlink|2675995}}
* AirTrain Blue Line, between International G and West Field Road -- Views toward International G / United gates, and some parts of the cargo ramp (DHL, FedEx).
 
*Terminal 2 Air Train stop -- Good rotation shots of the 28s, although there will be no warning-bring a scanner. At each end of the stop there is an opening so you do not have to shoot through glass. The opening on the north side of the station gives good shots of rotation and the SFO water towers. The south side will give shots of the thresholds of the 28s (with a long lens), the beginning of the 1s, and Terminal 2 ramp shots. {{anetlink|2739252}}
''' AirTrain station at the rental car facility (blue line)''' -- Very good views of runway 10 arrivals on bad weather days; however the windows are often very dirty.
 
'''AirTrain approaching terminal 1''' -- View of aircraft at the International A gates (Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, Emirates, etc).
 
'''AirTrain Blue Line, between International G and West Field Road''' -- Views toward International G / United gates, and some parts of the cargo ramp (DHL, FedEx).
 
'''Terminal 2 Air Train stop''' -- Good rotation shots of the 28s, although there will be no warning-bring a scanner. At each end of the stop there is an opening so you do not have to shoot through glass. The opening on the north side of the station gives good shots of rotation and the SFO water towers. The south side will give shots of the thresholds of the 28s (with a long lens), the beginning of the 1s, and Terminal 2 ramp shots. {{anetlink|2739252}} {{anetlink|2416532}}
 
===Fisherman's Park===
Fisherman's Park is a small area on the coast of the bay under the 28 approach path. The so-called "park" is really a gravel parking lot with small area by the water, used regularly by fishermen. This location is very similar to the popular Coyote Point Recreation Area location; the only differences being it is slightly closer to the threshold, but slightly farther south of the approach path. It is located on Airport Blvd. in Burlingame. A 400mm lens (full frame) will be more than sufficient for heavies, but a longer lens is needed for regionals. It is not the best area at mid-day times, due to the fact that you are shooting above you, but mornings and afternoons will yield great photos.


==Locations to Avoid==
==Locations to Avoid==
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<display_map>
<display_map>
37.605265,-122.376661~ ~ ~ ~ ~Bayfront Park
37.605265,-122.376661~Bayfront Park
37.635894,-122.400111~ ~ ~ ~ ~New Long Term Parking
37.635894,-122.400111~New Long Term Parking
37.631529,-122.401141~ ~ ~ ~ ~San Bruno Ave Overpass
37.631529,-122.401141~San Bruno Ave Overpass
37.616748, -122.384576~ ~ ~ ~ ~Terminal 2 Air Train Stop
37.616748, -122.384576~Terminal 2 Air Train Stop
37.633222,-122.400178~ ~ ~ ~ ~Cell Phone Lot
37.633222,-122.400178~Cell Phone Lot
37.613781, -122.391982~ ~ ~ ~ ~Garage A
37.613781, -122.391982~Garage A
37.615855, -122.392617~ ~ ~ ~ ~Garage G/BART
37.615855, -122.392617~Garage G/BART
37.628242, -122.401189~ ~ ~ ~ ~Rental Car Facility
37.628242, -122.401189~Rental Car Facility
37.591958, -122.334662~Fisherman's Park
</display_map>
</display_map>


Line 118: Line 143:
|-
|-
|Air France
|Air France
|Airbus A380-800(seasonal), Boeing 777-300(seasonal)
|Airbus A380-800 (seasonal), Boeing 777-200/300 (seasonal)
|[[Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport]]
|[[Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport]]
|-
|Alaska Airlines
|Boeing 737-400, Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-900
|[[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]], [[Portland International Airport]], [[Salt Lake City International Airport]], [[Palm Springs International Airport]], [[Los Cabos International Airport]], [[Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport]]
|-
|-
|Asiana Airlines
|Asiana Airlines
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|-
|-
|Avianca
|Avianca
|Airbus A320
|Airbus A319/A320
|[[El Salvador Intl.]]
|[[El Salvador Intl.]]
|-
|-
|British Airways
|British Airways
|Airbus A380-800, Boeing 747-400
|Airbus A380-800, Boeing 777-200
|[[London Heathrow Airport]]
|[[London Heathrow Airport]]
|-
|-
Line 139: Line 168:
|China Airlines
|China Airlines
|Boeing 777-300
|Boeing 777-300
|Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
|[[Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport]]
|-
|-
|China Eastern
|China Eastern
|Airbus A330-200
|Boeing 777-300
|[[Shanghai Airport]]
|[[Shanghai Airport]]
|-
|-
Line 154: Line 183:
|-
|-
|Etihad Airways
|Etihad Airways
|Boeing 777-300(Jet Airways)
|Boeing 777-200
|Abu Dhabi
|Abu Dhabi
|-
|Fiji Airways
|Airbus A330-200
|Nadi International Airport
|-
|-
|Hawaiian Airlines
|Hawaiian Airlines
|Airbus A321neo, Boeing 787-9
|[[Honolulu International Airport]], [[Kahului Airport]]
|-
|Hong Kong Airlines
|Airbus A350-900
|[[Hong Kong Airport]]
|-
|Iberia
|Airbus A330-200
|Airbus A330-200
|[[Honolulu International Airport]]
|[[Madrid Barajas Airport]]
|-
|-
|Japan Airlines
|Japan Airlines
Line 167: Line 208:
|jetBlue
|jetBlue
|Airbus A320, Airbus A321
|Airbus A320, Airbus A321
|[[Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport]], [[Long Beach Airport]], [[McCarran International Airport]], [[Logan International Airport]], [[New York John F. Kennedy International Airport]]
|[[Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport]], [[Long Beach Airport]], [[Harry Reid International Airport]], [[Logan International Airport]], [[New York John F. Kennedy International Airport]]
|-
|-
|KLM
|KLM
|Boeing 747-400, Airbus A330-200
|Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777-300, Boeing 787-9
|[[Amsterdam Schiphol Airport]]
|[[Amsterdam Schiphol Airport]]
|-
|-
Line 190: Line 231:
|-
|-
|Virgin Atlantic
|Virgin Atlantic
|Boeing 787-9, Airbus A340-600
|Boeing 787-9, Airbus A340-600, Airbus A330-300
|[[London Heathrow Airport]]
|[[London Heathrow Airport]], [[Manchester Airport]]
|-
|-
|WestJet
|WestJet
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|XL Airways France
|XL Airways France
|Airbus A330-200
|Airbus A330-200
|[[Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport]]
|[[Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport]](Seasonal)
|}
|}


Line 211: Line 252:
|-
|-
|Delta Air Lines
|Delta Air Lines
|Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-300, Airbus A320
|Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 757-300, Boeing 767-300, Airbus A320
|[[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport]], [[Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport]], [[Detroit Metro Airport]], [[Honolulu International Airport]], [[Los Angeles International Airport]], [[Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport]], [[New York John F. Kennedy International Airport]], [[Salt Lake City International Airport]], [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]],  
|[[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport]], [[Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport]], [[Detroit Metro Airport]], [[Honolulu International Airport]], [[Los Angeles International Airport]], [[Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport]], [[New York John F. Kennedy International Airport]], [[Salt Lake City International Airport]], [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]],  
|-
|-
|Frontier
|Frontier
|Airbus A319, Airbus A320
|Airbus A319, Airbus A320
|[[Chicago O'Hare International Airport]], [[Denver International Airport]], [[McCarran International Airport]], [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport]]
|[[Chicago O'Hare International Airport]], [[Denver International Airport]], [[Harry Reid International Airport]], [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport]]
|-
|-
|Southwest Airlines
|Southwest Airlines
|Boeing 737-300, Boeing 737-700
|Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800
|[[Los Angeles International Airport]], [[Bob Hope Airport]], [[John Wayne-Orange County Airport]], [[San Diego International Airport]], [[McCarran International Airport]], [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport]], [[Denver International Airport]], [[Dallas Love Field Airport]], [[Lambert-St. Louis International Airport]], [[Chicago Midway International Airport]], [[Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport]]
|[[Los Angeles International Airport]], [[Bob Hope Airport]], [[John Wayne-Orange County Airport]], [[San Diego International Airport]], [[Harry Reid International Airport]], [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport]], [[Denver International Airport]], [[Dallas Love Field Airport]], [[Lambert-St. Louis International Airport]], [[Chicago Midway International Airport]], [[Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport]]
|}
|}


Line 237: Line 278:
|Virgin America
|Virgin America
|Airbus A319, Airbus A320
|Airbus A319, Airbus A320
|[[Los Angeles International Airport]], [[San Diego International Airport]], [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]], [[Portland International Airport]], [[Honolulu International Airport]], [[Kahului Airport]], [[McCarran International Airport]], Los Cabos International Airport, Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, [[Cancún International Airport]], [[Austin Bergstrom International Airport]], [[Dallas Love Field Airport]], [[Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport]], [[Chicago O'Hare International Airport]], [[Washington Dulles International Airport]], [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport]], [[Logan International Airport]], [[New York John F. Kennedy International Airport]], [[New York La Guardia Airport]], [[Newark Liberty International Airport]], ¹[[Denver International Airport]], ²[[Palm Springs International Airport]]
|[[Los Angeles International Airport]], [[San Diego International Airport]], [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]], [[Portland International Airport]], [[Honolulu International Airport]], [[Kahului Airport]], [[Harry Reid International Airport]], [[Los Cabos International Airport]], [[Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport]], [[Cancún International Airport]], [[Austin Bergstrom International Airport]], [[Dallas Love Field Airport]], [[Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport]], [[Chicago O'Hare International Airport]], [[Washington Dulles International Airport]], [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport]], [[Logan International Airport]], [[New York John F. Kennedy International Airport]], [[New York La Guardia Airport]], [[Newark Liberty International Airport]], [[Denver International Airport]], ¹[[Palm Springs International Airport]]
¹Service beginning March 15, 2016


²Seasonal Service
¹Seasonal Service


|}
|}


===Terminal 3===
===Terminal 3===
*United Airlines
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|'''Airline'''
|'''Aircraft'''
|'''Destinations'''
|-
|United Airlines
|Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-900, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 757-300, Boeing 767-400, Boeing 777-200, Boeing 787-8, United 787-9
|https://www.united.com/CMS/Documents/pdfs/route-maps/UAL_NA_Map_2016_03_01.pdf
|}


===International Terminal G===
===International Terminal G===
*Aer Lingus
 
*Air Canada
{| class="wikitable"
*Air China
|-
*Air India
|'''Airline'''
*Air New Zealand
|'''Aircraft'''
*ANA
|'''Destinations'''
*Copa Airlines
|-
*EVA Air
|Aer Lingus
*Lufthansa
|Airbus A330-200
*SAS
|[[Dublin Airport]]
*Singapore Airlines
|-
*Swiss
|Air Canada
*Turkish Airlines
|Airbus A319/A320, Boeing 767-300, Embraer 190
*United Airlines
|[[Toronto Pearson International Airport]], [[Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport]]
|-
|Air China
|Boeing 747-8i
|[[Beijing Capital Airport]]
|-
|Air India
|Boeing 777-200
|Indira Gandhi International Airport
|-
|Air New Zealand
|Boeing 777-200/777-300
|[[Auckland Airport]]
|-
|ANA
|Boeing 777-300
|[[Tokyo Narita Airport]]
|-
|Copa Airlines
|Boeing 737-800
|[[Tocumen Intl.]]
|-
|EVA Air
|Boeing 777-300
|[[Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport]]
|-
|Lufthansa
|Airbus A380-800, Airbus A340-600
|[[Frankfurt Main Airport]], [[Munich Airport]]
|-
|SAS
|Airbus A340-300
|[[Copenhagen Kastrup Airport]]
|-
|Singapore Airlines
|Airbus A350-900
|[[Singapore Changi Airport]]
|-
|Swiss
|Airbus A340-300
|[[Zurich Airport]]
|-
|Turkish Airlines
|Boeing 777-300
|[[Atatürk International Airport]]
|-
|United Airlines
|Airbus A320, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 767-300, Boeing 777-200, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9
|https://www.united.com/CMS/Documents/pdfs/route-maps/UAL_WORLD_Map_2016_03_01.pdf
|}
 
*Routes as of January 1, 2016


==Facilities and Transportation==
==Facilities and Transportation==
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Three [http://www.samtrans.org samTrans] bus routes serve the airport terminals.  Route 292 serves a route from San Mateo to downtown San Francisco.  Route 397 and Express Route KX serve a route from Palo Alto to downtown San Francisco.
Three [http://www.samtrans.org samTrans] bus routes serve the airport terminals.  Route 292 serves a route from San Mateo to downtown San Francisco.  Route 397 and Express Route KX serve a route from Palo Alto to downtown San Francisco.
The [http://www.airportexpressinc.com/home.html Airport Express] provides transportation to Sonoma County, including Petaluma, Rohnert Park, and Santa Rosa.
The [http://www.marinairporter.com/ Marin Airporter] provides transportation to multiple locations in Marin County including San Rafael, Mill Valley, and Sausalito.


==External Links==
==External Links==


*[http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KSFO SFO on FlightAware]
*[http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KSFO SFO on FlightAware]
*[https://www.flightradar24.com/37.62,-122.37/8 SFO on FlightRadar24]
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