First look: Newest United Club & concourse [photos]

A United Dreamliner taxis by bright new space at SFO's Terminal 3 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

A United Dreamliner taxis by bright new space at SFO’s Terminal 3 East Concourse (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

There’s a lot happening at United’s sprawling Terminal 3 at San Francisco International Airport this week.

First off, the airport unveiled its big bright Terminal 3 East Concourse, which connects the recently renovated T3E space with the rest of the terminal. Until this week, passengers walked to T3E via a narrow corridor fronted by a big construction wall.

The Terminal 3 East Concourse appears in green (Image SFO)

The $253 million, 53,000 square foot expansion is comprised of a concourse connecting Boarding Areas E and F, a consolidated central security checkpoint, three additional gates, and a new United Club location. There are eight new retail and dining outlets, 230 power outlets, and 200 USB outlets.

Big bathrooms include private changing rooms– a unique new addition to the space I’ve not seen before. There are also four new art installations, along with mod lounge-style seating areas including the now ubiquitous egg chairs (seen in silhouette above) coffee tables and big communal tables. New retailers include Aveda, Jo Malone and Tom Ford.

New United Club

Entry to the new United Club at SFO (Chris McGinnis)

At just over 6,000 square feet, the newest United Club offers a panoramic view of airport operations through giant floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s space for 130 members in the new Club, and when it’s crowded, it will feel that way since there is not a lot of empty space between chairs. Nonetheless, the space feels light and airy due to the big view out to the ramp and a pale color palette. Plus, there are two small rooms with desks and glass doors that close if you need privacy.

Main room in new United Club at SFO packs em in- seating for 130 flyers (Chris McGinnis)

There is one main room adjacent to the bar, which backs up to the windows, and a smaller space where the buffet is set up with items such as fresh zucchini, yellow squash and cherry tomatoes; butternut squash soup; spinach salad; and a variety of fresh meats and cheeses, and the standard hummus and mediterranean salad available at other United Clubs.

The new Terminal 3 East club will operate in addition to the larger, but relatively dated United Club location in Boarding Area F and in International Terminal G. There are some long range plans to get this old club up to new standards, but it will be part of an overall revamp of the rest of Terminal three that is still several years off. But eventually all of Terminal 3 should be as hip and bright as the new T3E boarding area.

The temporary, windowless United Club on the mezzanine level that opened last year is now closed.