Update: British Airways has renovated this lounge since I reviewed it.
Our flight from San Francisco to London was scheduled to depart at 4:30PM, so we got to the airport at around 2PM. British Airways departs from International Terminal A at SFO. We had already checked in on line, so we proceeded straight for security.
San Fransisco Airport international terminal
While the security line wasn’t all that long, it was a bit chaotic, as they didn’t have enough bins for passengers, and also most of the people ahead of us didn’t seem familiar with the screening process. I sure miss TSA PreCheck in instances where I don’t have it!
Eventually we were through security, and headed towards the British Airways lounge, located between gates A4 and A6. Once past security, the lounge is located about a third of the way into the terminal, on the right.
San Fransisco Airport international terminal
The lounge looked quite small from the outside, which is probably because most of it is one level down.
British Airways Terraces Lounge San Francisco Airport exterior
There was a sign on the door indicating that Korean Air also uses this lounge for their passengers. Conveniently they also had a sign indicating all the other lounge agreements in the terminal, which seemed like a helpful thing to do.
British Airways Lounge San Francisco hours
While there was theoretically a reception desk on the concourse level, there was a sign advising passengers to proceed down a level to check-in. You could go down a floor either by elevator or stairs.
British Airways Terraces Lounge reception desk
Once there we found ourselves standing in front of an associate who didn’t welcome us or anything. Instead she just sort of sat there until we handed her our boarding passes. Since we had checked in online, she had to verify our passports as well.
The main entry room had a few oddly placed chairs and a high-top table, though I imagine that was intended to be overflow seating.
British Airways Lounge San Francisco reception area
British Airways Lounge San Francisco reception area
The rest of the lounge was located down a hallway to the side of the reception desk. Immediately on the right was the first class section, which I’ll talk more about in a bit.
British Airways Lounge San Francisco hallway
The main part of the lounge itself felt like most other British Airways lounges. On the plus side, the lounge had lots of natural light and high ceilings. On the other hand, the lounge was densely furnished, and a lot of the furniture was in bad condition and felt pretty cheap.
British Airways Lounge San Francisco seating
British Airways Lounge San Francisco seating
British Airways Lounge San Francisco seating
On the left side of the lounge was an area with a business center, which included a few PCs and a printer.
British Airways Lounge San Francisco seating
British Airways Lounge San Francisco business center
In the back right of the lounge was more seating in a darker area, which felt a bit more like a library.
British Airways Lounge San Francisco seating
British Airways Lounge San Francisco seating
Also in that area was a door and a podium, so I imagine if a flight departs from the right gate, you can board directly through the lounge. Unfortunately in our case, our flight wasn’t departing from that gate.
British Airways lounge SFO boarding door
The buffet spread was in the very back of the lounge, and in a word can be summed up as pathetic. While the drink selection was decent enough, the food select was pretty bad.
British Airways Lounge San Francisco buffet
British Airways Lounge San Francisco buffet
As far as food goes, there was soup, cookies, several types of chips, candy, packaged cheese, fresh veggies, and small finger sandwiches and wraps.
British Airways Lounge San Francisco buffet
British Airways Lounge San Francisco buffet
British Airways Lounge San Francisco food selection
British Airways Lounge San Francisco food selection
British Airways Lounge San Francisco food selection
British Airways Lounge SFO food selection
British Airways Lounge SFO food selection
British Airways Lounge San Francisco food selection
While the food was fairly readily available towards the beginning of our stay, virtually the entire buffet was empty by the time most passengers showed up.
The liquor selection was fairly good, at least in comparison to the food selection.
British Airways Lounge San Francisco liquor selection
Then there was beer and wine, though they were almost entirely out of wine. For example, they only put out one bottle of white wine, and that was typically empty within a couple of minutes. Then it would be another 15 minutes until they brought another bottle.
British Airways Lounge SFO wine selection
British Airways Lounge SFO beer selection
They didn’t have any champagne, though they did have prosecco.
British Airways Lounge SFO prosecco
Fortunately thanks to my oneworld Emerald status we had access to the first class section of the lounge. Surely that would have a better food & drink selection, right?
Nope.
The first class section was simply a separate room. While it wasn’t too full when we arrived, within about an hour every seat was taken.
British Airways First Class Lounge SFO seating
British Airways First Class Lounge SFO seating
The food selection in the first class section was identical to the business class section.
British Airways First Class Lounge SFO buffet
British Airways First Class Lounge SFO buffet
British Airways First Class Lounge SFO buffet
The drink selection almost entirely overlapped as well.
British Airways First Class Lounge SFO buffet
I really don’t get it. We had access to the first class lounge but didn’t actually use it, because it was basically just a more depressing version of the business class lounge. Why even bother?
Our flight was scheduled to board at 4PM, so at 3:45PM we headed to our departure gate, A7. The gate had a beautiful view of “our” British Airways 777, as well as the Air France A380 at the gate next to us.
British Airways 777 SFO Airport
Within a few minutes boarding was called for first class and oneworld Emerald passengers.
British Airways departure gate SFO
Bottom line
The British Airways lounge reminded me of the domestic lounges offered by US airlines, except the alcohol selection was a bit better. I really don’t understand why British Airways bothers having a first class section in the lounge, when it’s just a separate, smaller room, with the same offerings as the business class section.
Regardless, it blows my mind how the lounges operated by the UK’s two biggest airlines are polar opposites. While I find most of British Airways’ lounges to be underwhelming, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses are among my favorite business class lounges out there. All of them have fantastic a la carte dining, while with British Airways you’ll be dining on finger sandwiches and packaged chips.
The point is, if you’re flying British Airways or Korean Air out of San Francisco, don’t arrive early to use the lounge. 😉
Lastly, I should note that if you’re flying British Airways you can in theory use the Cathay Pacific lounge, though you’ll have to watch the opening hours, as the lounge isn’t always open.
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