Lounge Review: Inside the New Air France Lounge at SFO

For better or for worse, the Air France lounge at the San Francisco International Airport underwent a massive renovation, reopening in June 2023 with more space and newly improved amenities — including showers, swanky seating and a staffed bar.

We’ll start with the bad news. The renovations make things worse for the many guests who previously visited through the Priority Pass network.

For now, Priority Pass members have lost access. Instead, they’re redirected upstairs to the smaller, less impressive Golden Gate Lounge. Priority Pass says the suspension is temporary, though there’s no official timeline for when Priority Pass members will regain access to the new Air France lounge.

Now for the good news, which applies to top-tier elite status holders and folks flying in business and first class. The lounge has received a chic, modern update — standing in stark contrast to the previous incarnation that felt like a collection of generic chairs and tables crammed in one room.

So whether you have access — or you don’t have access and want to self-inflict some FOMO — here’s a look inside the new Air France-KLM Lounge:

The lounge’s centerpiece is the self-service buffet, which offers a changing menu of hot, cold, savory and sweet dishes.

Healthy options include a selection of salads.

French cuisine is highlighted with dishes like croque-monsieur and boeuf bourguignon.

There’s also a staffed bar where a bartender serves French wines and Champagne, spirits and cocktails. Local draft beers are also available.

For an alcoholic beverage without the bartender, there are drinks on ice that anyone can grab to fill up their own glass.

And for DIY-caffeinated drinks, there’s a coffee machine.

Despite occupying the same general space, the new lounge is nearly 1,000 square feet larger than its former incarnation. It now spans more than 6,000 square feet with 117 seats that include a mix of bench-style seating, comfy chairs and high tables. The former doctor’s waiting room vibe has been replaced with mostly wood and leather materials, decorated in Air France’s colors of blue, white and red.

The contemporary French aesthetic includes chairs by Pierre Paulin and the Bouroullec brothers, as well as bar stools by Patrick Jouin. Like most lounges, there’s free Wi-Fi connection and no shortage of electrical and USB sockets.

Bathrooms

Not only were the bathrooms renovated, but shower rooms were added.

The lounge is located at gate A of the international terminal, just to the left after passing security.

Who is allowed in?

There are a few ways to get in, including if you hold:

Certain levels of elite status: You’re welcome if you’re flying with Blue Elite Plus status in the Gold or Platinum tiers and are departing on an international flight operated by Air France, KLM or one of its Skyteam partner airlines.

Business class airfares: Business class travelers flying with Air France, KLM or its Skyteam partner airlines are permitted.

La Première airfares: Not only are customers with La Première airfares (which is the Air France version of first class) welcome, but the lounge offers a separate section devoted exclusively to them. Though small, it has its own restaurant and direct access to the bar.

Certain Qantas travelers: If you're flying Qantas, you might also be able to access the lounge. Eligible Qantas passengers include those with Gold or higher frequent flyer status, Business or First Class cabin passengers. Some of those passengers are also eligible to bring guests (check the terms of your fare to learn more).

There are also a few other ways to get in such as holding oneworld Sapphire or higher status.

If you have access to this lounge, you likely also have access to the Delta Sky Club, which is in Terminal 1. In 2023, Delta cracked down on how many people have Sky Club access due to record crowds, but Flying Blue Gold, Platinum, or Ultimate Elite members have continued access to SkyTeam partner lounges (including Delta Sky Clubs).

While Priority Pass members have lost access to the space presently occupied by this Air France lounge, they still have access to a few other SFO Priority Pass lounges in International Terminal A, including the British Airways lounge and China Airlines lounge. Many premium travel credit cards offer Priority Pass lounge access, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Another excellent airline-agnostic lounge is the Centurion Lounge at SFO, which — much like the Air France lounge — also recently reopened to a redesign and expansion. It stands out for its buffet menu designed by Ravi Kapur, the Executive Chef at Liholiho Yacht Club, a popular San Francisco restaurant. Most folks gain entry by holding The Platinum Card® from American Express.

The Air France lounge reopening is just one of a recent bout of either new or newly expanded lounges to open at SFO. Beyond the anticipated Centurion Lounge expansion, the airport also welcomed a new Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, the first of its kind to open at SFO.

All three of those lounges — alongside many others — provide a luxe retreat for those lucky enough to gain entry, both in terms of calm, relaxing places to wait out your flight, while also providing superior amenities including thoughtfully curated buffets.

(Top photo by Sally French)