San Francisco International’s new outdoor observation deck will be located at the end of Boarding Area G (Image: Google Maps)
Remember when we wrote about the new public, outdoor observation deck going into the space where SFO’s control tower used to be? Here’s that post.
Well, that idea was so well received that the airport will add a second deck… but this one will actually open first.
Look at the photo above and you’ll see a tan area at the end of the terminal– that’s where the new deck will be located.
The new outdoor observation deck will be located at the end of the International Terminal Boarding Area G (United/Star Alliance side). What’s really cool about this location is that you’ll be able to almost reach out and touch the noses of the A380s that dock there– look at the photo and you’ll see the telltale sign of an A380 jetway– it’s really three jetways in one, which is necessary to load and unload the big bird.
The new deck will not only offer great views of big planes, runways and the South San Francisco sign on San Bruno Mountain– airport spokesperson Doug Yakel tells TravelSkills that it will also include a “food and beverage concept.” He said that the airport is simply reconfiguring for public use a deck that is already there.
The new deck should open next year- December 2018. The public deck atop Terminal 2 (image below) won’t open for two more years– December 2019.
Rendering of Terminal 2 – see the observation deck in the lower right? (Image: SFO)
Do to its location beyond security, the Boarding Area G deck will only make sense for passengers ticketed on flights departing United’s Terminal 3 or boarding area G, unlike the Terminal 2 deck which will have pre-security access for non-ticketed passengers. For reference, see a full airport map here.
What a great place to cool your heels as you wait for your flight? All the more reason to get to the airport early, right?
Don’t miss: Take a bus to your plane at SFO
The swank outdoor terrace at the new Star Alliance lounge at LAX (Chris McGinnis)
Outdoor spaces have been gaining popularity in recent years at US airport, but they’ve been built to delight members of airport clubs for the most part. For example, Delta has outdoor space at its Sky Clubs in Atlanta and New York. The Stay Alliance lounge in Los Angeles has a nice outdoor space– with fireplaces!
Earlier this year, Alaska Air hinted that it may open a new Alaska Club with an outdoor deck space atop T2 terminals, but we’ve heard less and less about that effort in recent months.
What’s your favorite outdoor airport space? Please leave your comments below.
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This is California–in particular San Francisco. I highly doubt that’s going to happen.
Yes, ticketed passengers preparing to fly can walk between T3 and International G (since 2009). However, passengers getting off international flights must first pass through immigration and customs and exit the terminal before re entering.
Wait, is there a post-security airside passageway between G and 3? That implies you can bypass immigration which doesn’t seem right.
Obviously you can walk between all of SFO’s four terminals, ground-side.
I’ll be sure to enjoy the outdoor space as long as it is open and available. Something to look forward to.
Finally something to liven up the dreary International terminal (or half of it, anyway)!
thanks we’ll update
Spox says that it’s being looked at but no concrete plans.
Isn’t there plans to extend Terminal G further west to accommodate another pair of gates?
Come on Chris, you know SFO well enough to know that terminal G is connected to terminal 3, so it’s not just “available to passengers ticketed on international flights”, but any passengers flying United (T3) or International G departures.
You should also know SFO well enough to know that ANY ticketed passenger can go through security in any terminal, so technically any ticketed passenger could access it – although in fairness that means at least one extra trip through security so it’s likely not worth it…