San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO/KSFO) is United's Pacific gateway, located in San Mateo County, California. The airport handles roughly 51.2M annually and is a major operating base for United Airlines, Alaska Airlines. Travelers connecting through SFO have access to 12 airport lounges spread across 4 terminals or concourses, including some of the most highly regarded card-issued and airline-operated lounges in the United States.

The airport sits in San Mateo County, California and is well connected to the surrounding metropolitan area by interstate, light rail, and rideshare. Most travelers heading to a lounge should pass through TSA security at their assigned terminal first, then follow signage for the relevant concourse. Plan to arrive at the lounge entrance at least 60 to 90 minutes before boarding to take full advantage of the food, drink, and shower facilities.

Lounge programs available at SFO include American Airlines Admirals Club, Alaska Lounge, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, American Express Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, United Polaris Lounge, Priority Pass, United Club. Below you'll find each individual lounge with its terminal, operator, access rules, and a current amenity list.

Insider tip: when planning a long connection at SFO, verify your boarding pass shows the correct terminal — and whether the lounge you plan to visit is post-security in your concourse. Some networks operate multiple locations within the same airport, and entering one and exiting through security to reach another can cost you 30+ minutes during busy periods.

For travelers planning a longer layover at SFO, lounges with shower suites and quiet rooms are highlighted in the listings below. Standard guest policies apply for each program; expect to pay $45–$75 for additional guests at most card-issued lounges. Day-pass options vary, so confirm pricing with the operator before relying on a paid walk-up.

Lounges at SFO

Terminals at SFO

• Terminal 1
• Terminal 2
• Terminal 3
• International Terminal

Hub airlines

• United Airlines
• Alaska Airlines