Alaska Airlines has today opened the newest lounge in its network, replacing a previous lounge at the same airport. Let’s go over the details…
In this post:
Basics of the new Alaska Lounge SFO Terminal 1
A new Alaska Lounge has opened at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), in Harvey Milk Terminal 1. The Alaska Lounge is located near gate B6, and is open daily from 5AM until 10:30PM. The new lounge is roughly 11,000 square feet, and is the second largest lounge in Alaska’s network (after the flagship Alaska Lounge in Seattle).
When it comes to lounge design, the space features lots of natural light and warm finishes. There are a variety of options, whether you want to eat, relax, work, or enjoy some plane spotting (thanks to the great apron views). The lounge is equipped with outlets at nearly all seats, plus two TalkBox booths, so that people can take calls in private. The lounge also has bathrooms, but doesn’t have showers (that’s not an amenity offered at any Alaska Lounges).
In terms of drinks, the lounge features all the options you’d expect from an Alaska Lounge, including barista coffee, a large selection of complimentary beer and wine (primarily from the West Coast), cocktails, soda, and more.
As far as food goes, there’s a rotating selection of fresh dishes throughout the day. The lounge also has some San Francisco specific food options, including a bar with sourdough bread and a selection of spreads, plus candy jars with San Francisco Bay Area favorites. There’s also the signature pancake machine, which you’ll find at all of the carrier’s lounges.
Below you can find some pictures and a video of the new Alaska Lounge SFO.
When it comes to Alaska Lounge access, there are a variety of ways you can access the lounge. The lounge is open to those on a paid Alaska first class ticket on a flight of over 2,100 miles, plus it’s open to Alaska Lounge and American Admirals Club members. On top of that, since Alaska is in oneworld, the lounge follows standard oneworld lounge access policies, including for oneworld Sapphire and oneworld Emerald members on eligible itineraries.
This completes Alaska’s move to Harvey Milk Terminal 1
Some people might be confused by an Alaska Lounge opening in San Francisco, given that the airline already had a lounge there. No, the airline isn’t operating two lounges at the airport, but rather it’s replacing the previous lounge with the new lounge.
Why? Well, Alaska recently made the move from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1, so the airline of course also wanted a lounge in the terminal it actually operates out of (even though all terminals at SFO are now connected airside). Terminal 1 is a gorgeous, spacious terminal, so it offers a pleasant passenger experience even if you don’t have lounge access.
For what it’s worth, the old lounge was 9,200 square feet, so the new space is a bit bigger. However, I guess it’s furnished a lot more “efficiently,” since it has 55% more seats than the old space, despite only being around 20% bigger. More lounge capacity is always a good thing.
Bottom line
The new Alaska Lounge at SFO Terminal 1 has just opened, following the carrier moving from Terminal 2 in recent weeks. The new lounge is roughly 11,000 square feet, making it the second biggest lounge in Alaska’s network. This looks like a great space, and I look forward to visiting it.
What do you make of the new Alaska Lounge SFO Terminal 1?
I'm so confused by SFO (which is my home airport and where I spent most of my airport time): their domestic lounges are categorically better than their international lounges.
The Club, Amex, AA, AS and Delta lounges kick the pants off the BA, Emirates, China Airlines and Air France Lounges. Only AC and UA (Polaris) have solid international lounges... which is okay for star alliance. Sucks to be everyone else!
Oh and let's talk about the Golden Gate Lounge in the International A Gates... Their motto might as well be "Costco food is too expensive... buy your lounge food at Grocery Outlet."
"More lounge capacity is always a good thing." Is it?
Ah, the Alaska Lounge, where the soup tastes so fresh, it was as if they opened the can mere moments before reheating it!
If memory serves, that was an Admirals Club before becoming the Alaska club. I'm not sure there's anyone else in T2 who would want the space, so I think it would have to be a CC lounge.
Still no showers - a missed opportunity
Why would a domestic lounge have showers?
Come to Australia, Even the basic Qantas lounge has showers. And beautiful shower suites in the domestic business class lounge. Perfect after a 3-4 Hour red eye flight!
Is this a priority pass lounge?
Confirmed no PP access.
I know that as an Admiral's Club member, I am eligible for access to the Alaska Lounges at SEA or PDX.
If I am flying AA domestically in SFO T1, does this make me eligible for the Alaska Lounge in addition to the Admiral's club under club rules vs. OneWorld Elite status?
Yes.
I love the idea of Alaska lounges but I've personally never been able to justify the price tag of membership, despite the fact that Alaska is probably my 2nd most flown airline. Whenever I'm at SEA I use the Centurian lounge... and for the non-Alaska-hub airports there is generally a nicer OneWorld or Amex lounge to be found than the Alaska lounge... even at SFO this doesn't look better than the Amex lounge.
Not sure...
I love the idea of Alaska lounges but I've personally never been able to justify the price tag of membership, despite the fact that Alaska is probably my 2nd most flown airline. Whenever I'm at SEA I use the Centurian lounge... and for the non-Alaska-hub airports there is generally a nicer OneWorld or Amex lounge to be found than the Alaska lounge... even at SFO this doesn't look better than the Amex lounge.
Not sure I get the appeal? Are they consistently really quiet or something? I could certainly be talked into it but so far haven't come across many compelling arguments.
Still the soup and salad food offering concept. When Alaska decides to offer hot food dishes in their lounge I might be interested.
They usually have one or two hot dishes in addition to the soup and salad options.
Still the soup and salad and one or two hot dishes in addition to the soup and salad options concept. When Alaska decides to offer three or four hot food dishes in their lounge I might be interested.
So investors think the DOJ is going to block the merger with HA
If so, AS will be a standalone airline in the middle of a bunch of mega carriers which at SFO means United
Maybe Delta should acquire HA. They were trying some interesting HNL TPAC flying back in the day. Delta's HND slot from HNL is struggling.
What's going to happen with the T2 lounge now that AS is leaving?
Just speculation on my part, but I'd guess United will try and take it over as they've been expanding into T2. (Though there is an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in that terminal right near the old Alaska Lounge location, which might complicate such a decision.)
I’m guessing it will become a United lounge. Would be interesting if it became a Chase or Capital One Lounge (although I’m guessing it might be too small for that)
I think Chase moves in. They are aggressive in opening new lounges and SFO seems like the most obvious choice aside from DEN.
Big fan of Harvey Milk Terminal, this is great news I wasn't even aware of lol
Curious as to who takes over the old AS lounge in T2 - could be smart for a United Club (and selfishly to keep the AC Maple Leaf Lounge empty)?
Missed opening by 2 days. The Club has already cut back its chef station to only evening hours. Less busy than opening day but still too hot inside and not really worth the visit - hopped to Admiral’s for a peaceful environment.
Your other article says long-haul oneworld gets access. So just to confirm my SFO-LAX-LHR AA F ticket would qualify?
Might actually give this a shot in a couple weeks, if so!
it would definitely qualify since you're on a longhaul oneworld flight. the AS lounge is probably better than the SFO AC too
Can't one use BA or CX lounges on a longhaul OW flight? (Obviously, we're talking about OW Sapphire/Emerald member here)
@ Will -- In theory, yes. However, some BA lounges in the United States are notorious for turning away non-BA passengers, on the basis of capacity restrictions, even when a lounge isn't crowded.
Nothing would prevent one from dipping into both, though frankly the BA lounge at SFO is nothing to write home about. On the other hand CX lounge's hours are severely limited, so the odds of being able to use it are limited.
@ JoePro -- That's correct, as eric notes, you'd get access to the Alaska Lounge.
@ Ben and Eric, thanks!
@Ben and Eric. I was turned away from AS lounge on my F ticket SFO-LAX-LHR (all AA metal, Flagship F). Was told Admirals Club members and certain OW status holders get access.
AA lounge attendant pretty much concured.
Not bemoaning it too much, though. Had 3-5 other lounges to choose from.