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SFO gets public outdoor observation deck

Observation deck

View of new observation deck looking from airport ramp and runways toward SFO Terminal 2. Gates are located beyond the lower left corner of this image. Scroll down for another view (Rendering: SFO)

Starting this month, the old air traffic control tower at San Francisco International Airport will come down, making room for a new outdoor public observation deck– a rarity at U.S. airports.

Last year SFO opened its shapely new control tower, making the old one obsolete…and a barrier to the full apron view required from the new tower.

So starting this month the old tower will be removed progressively with the aid of a crane, along with scaffolding on the upper floors of the building. Construction teams plan to have the top “cab” section of the former tower removed by the end of March.

SFO’s old tower coming down to make room for new public viewing platform with expansive views (Photo: Monte Deignan)

The project, budgeted at $55 million, will also remove the base structure below the former tower, which dates back to 1954 and does not meet current seismic requirements.

In its place, will be a new facility that will include offices, a café, and a glassed in public observation area, as the location affords views of all four runways at SFO. An airport spokesperson told TravelSkills that the plan is to have a pre-security entry point to the viewing area, which means you can enter it without having an airline ticket.

Eventually SFO will have another perch from which to peer at planes- a rooftop lounge atop the new on-airport Hyatt Regency — however its views will not be as commanding.

UPDATE: Check out how Alaska Airlines plans to add a new rooftop lounge and deck at SFO!

One of the best things about Tokyo Haneda is the big open air rooftop tarmac and runway-viewing area. Wow! (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

The project scope also includes an additional aircraft boarding gate in Terminal 2, anticipated to be ready for use by the end of March- just in time for Alaska Airlines big SFO expansion.

All phases of the project are expected to be completed by the end of January 2019. See you on the deck!

Outdoor observation decks at airport are relatively rare in the US… only recently has Delta added them to Sky Clubs in Atlanta and New York. The Star Alliance lounge in LAX has one, too, but views are limited.

What’s your favorite vantage point for plane spotting? Visited an outdoor viewing area before? Where? Please share your observations in the comments! 

Here’s another look at the new SFO public viewing platform, looking up from the ramp toward T2 (Rendering: SFO)

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Comments

  1. SFO had a fabulous view area next to it’s main east-west take-off runway until 9/11 caused its closure (it’s now a fueling station for airport busses). Planespotters and families would park and view the activity (some listening in on their short wave radios). It was great and it was free.

  2. Great stories from all. Commenting on Larry’s memory, my earliest memory of the original observation deck (Central Terminal) was in the 60s too before I even flew. My first flight was in August 1973 at 14 years of age with most of my family up to Portland on a United 737-200. Lunch was served. Before that event, I had watched a handful of relatives takeoff from that observation deck featured in the movie “Bullit” as Steve McQueen ran across the tarmacs near United and Robert Vaughn was looking down from that deck. Up there were telescopes that you could use, but it was better just to watch the Stretch DC-8’s and 707s lift off right in front of you with enormously loud rocket engines. Even the commercials of those days….TWA’s Ambassador’s service, National’s “Fly Me”, and PSA gives you a lift are embedded in my memory. Now with many gone now, it almost seems those days didn’t happen as people are self consumed with their phones and in a hurry. Glad to see after they remove those upper stories that a Observation Deck will come back. I know for visual purposes the upper stories and old tower will come down. It would have been great to save that tower as a nostalgic observation place and cafe. Great idea. Everyone’s stories around the globe are great……cheers

  3. It’s not inside the airport, but Auckland has public viewing areas with pretty good views of departing aircraft. It’s the closest view I’ve ever seen of A380s taking off.

  5. It would be nice to have a snack bar or a franchise like McDonald’s inside. Restrictions would be no food or drink allowed out on the deck, keeping it clean. In MIA they have what is know as “holes”. They are holes put in the screens at eye/camera level so the photographers don’t get obstructed views. MIA Airport Authority and FLL installed them as they are pro-photography. Plastic seats with tables would be nice too.

  7. Found a new favorite for plane spotting last week. Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Bali — directly across the bay (about 2 miles) — among the most decadent venues in the world to enjoy a beer and the continous steam of take offs and landings.

  8. Really miss the outdoor deck that used to be at O’Hare accessible past security. However, a high corner room at the O’Hare Hilton in T-5 makes a reasonably decent substitute, but its view not nearly as comprehensive.

  11. Hooray! …it’s about time. Other great airports around the world have had observation decks for decades. Zurich, Amsterdam, Frankfort, Tokyo, Hong Kong, just to name a few. Several of them operate both in and outdoor decks and have been enjoyed by travelers and spotters like myself for years without incident. Look forward to this opening in 2019. Thank you SFO!

  12. The airfield at SJC is far less interesting/diverse than SFO tho. And the Club is not free

  13. The Priority Pass Lounge at TLL has a nice exterior viewing platform.
    Club @ SJC will have one soon as well as part of their upcoming expansion.

  14. the park by the In-N-Out Burger at LAX is still Awesome! Also, there is still the parking area by the LAS runways. (off of Sunset).

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