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One of the largest hub airports for Alaska Airlines recently got a facelift.
As of June 19, Alaska Airlines flights to and from San Francisco International Airport operate out of the airport’s newest terminal, Harvey Milk Terminal 1.
Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines — which up until then had gates in Terminal 1 — swapped into Alaska’s old gates in Terminal 2.
Alaska’s arrival marks the final phase of the Harvey Milk Terminal 1 opening. The three-phase terminal opening kicked off in July 2019, with the debut of nine departure gates. The second phase, completed in May 2021, added seven new departure gates plus a new post-security connector to one of SFO’s international terminals. It also entailed a new museum gallery and exhibit honoring Harvey Milk, who was one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S.
With the final phase comes new technology and a more streamlined airport experience. Here’s a look at the final touches of the new terminal.
Automated bag tag and drop stations
Check-in should theoretically run faster, given new Alaska bag tag stations that replace traditional tagging kiosks.
Here’s how it works:
- Check-in online and download your boarding pass to your mobile device.
- Scan your boarding pass on a tablet at the check-in area, where you’ll be prompted to pay for checked bags, if applicable. A printer adjacent to the tablet prints out your tags, which you affix to your bag.
- Bring your bags to a counter, where a machine scans the bag tag before it is placed on the belt. From there, place your bag on a conveyor belt, upon which it’ll be whisked away and loaded onto the aircraft.
No human touch is needed, in theory.
Though for the folks who blunder through sticking together bag tags or or otherwise prefer to speak to a human, Alaska’s regional vice president of California, Neil Thwaites, says there will be plenty of staff members available nearby, too.
The technological addition makes Alaska the first airline at SFO to offer automated bag drops.
A new post-security connector
Technically, you don’t have to go through Terminal 1 security to get to an Alaska gate. As of June 2024, a new security connector opened — this one connecting Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 via a walkway on the other side of security.
That means every SFO gate is now connected post-security.
That’s convenient for travelers connecting to flights on other airlines. It also make it possible for travelers to access SFO airport lounges, like those in the Priority Pass network, in other terminals without having to clear security twice.
A new Alaska lounge
Then there’s a new SFO Alaska lounge, which opened just after the terminal (in mid-July). The lounge has 230 seats — that’s about 55% larger than the previous Terminal 2 Alaska lounge. The 11,000-square-foot lounge features two private booths for calls, lounge chairs and bistro seating. There's a barista-staffed espresso bar, Alaska’s signature pancake machine, salads, hot foods, local wines and craft brews.
Though most refreshments are complimentary, premium spirits and food items are also available for purchase.
» Learn more: The guide to the AmEx Centurion Lounge at SFO
The bottom line
The new Alaska gate experience is part of a $2.5 billion investment Alaska pledged to make across its hubs and focus cities, which include San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles and Anchorage. The airline also stated its goal to get passengers through the lobby and to security in five minutes or less.
Passengers traveling through SFO now have an easier experience navigating the airport, given that every gate at the airport is now fully connected post-security. Particularly for travelers with international connections or who are flying with a Oneworld alliance partner, it’s convenient to not have to clear security again if flying.
For now, Alaska will have 10 dedicated gates at SFO, but that could change.
“We’re leaving plenty of room to grow over time,” Thwaites says.
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