San Francisco International Airport

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San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major international airport located in San Mateo County, California, 13 miles (21 km) south of Downtown San Francisco. It is the largest airport in the San Francisco Bay Area and the second busiest in California, after Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

History

San Francisco International Airport opened on May 7, 1927, as Mills Field Municipal Airport. It was later renamed San Francisco Municipal Airport in 1931 and finally San Francisco International Airport in 1955. The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and technological advancements.

Facilities

SFO has four terminals: Terminal 1 (Harvey Milk Terminal 1), Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. The airport features a wide range of amenities, including dining options, shopping, lounges, and art exhibits.

Terminals

• Terminal 1: Named after Harvey Milk, it serves domestic flights and is currently undergoing renovation.
• Terminal 2: Reopened in 2011, it serves domestic flights and is known for its sustainable design.
• Terminal 3: Serves domestic flights and is a hub for United Airlines.
• International Terminal: The largest international terminal in North America, it serves international flights and is divided into Boarding Area A and Boarding Area G.

Runways

SFO has four runways arranged in two intersecting pairs:

• Runway 1L/19R
• Runway 1R/19L
• Runway 10L/28R
• Runway 10R/28L

Airlines and Destinations

SFO is a hub for United Airlines and a primary base for Alaska Airlines. It offers flights to numerous domestic and international destinations across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.

Transportation

SFO is accessible via various modes of transportation, including:

• Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART): Provides direct service to the airport.
• SamTrans: Offers bus services connecting the airport to various locations in the Bay Area.
• Caltrain: Connects to the airport via a shuttle from the Millbrae station.
• Ride-sharing services, taxis, and rental cars are also available.

Environmental Initiatives

SFO is committed to sustainability and has implemented several environmental initiatives, including:

• Achieving LEED Gold certification for its terminals.
• Implementing a zero-waste program.
• Using clean energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Accidents and Incidents

SFO has been the site of several notable accidents and incidents, including:

• Asiana Airlines Flight 214: On July 6, 2013, the flight crashed on final approach, resulting in three fatalities and numerous injuries.

See Also

• List of airports in California
• San Francisco Bay Area
• United Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• Bay Area Rapid Transit