This week, the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) completes the phased opening of the $2.4 billion Harvey Milk Terminal 1.
New amenities are available for everyone, but Alaska Airlines passengers will enjoy the greatest benefits.
On Wednesday, Alaska Airlines will relocate its SFO hub operations from Terminal 2 to Harvey Milk Terminal 1.
On that day, all flights operated by Alaska to and from SFO will start using the T1 gates for arrivals and departures. The airline’s check-in and baggage drop services will move to the brand-new T1 lobby. Additionally, all baggage delivery for Alaska flights will occur in T1.
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The new lobby features self-service options for bag tagging and bag dropping.
With the inauguration of its new T1 lobby, Alaska is now the first airline at SFO to provide automated bag drop, a service it has been testing at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).
According to Neil Thwaites, Alaska’s regional vice president for California, this initiative aims to alleviate congestion in the SFO Terminal 1 lobby and minimize lengthy queues.
To utilize the automated bag drop, you must first check in online and obtain a boarding pass on your mobile device. Upon arriving at the airport, scan your boarding pass at one of the bag tag kiosks located in the new T1 lobby. The machine will print a peelable bag tag, which you will need to attach to your luggage. Afterwards, proceed to the counter with your bag.
At that location, rather than giving your bag to an airline staff member, you’ll scan the bag tag yourself and place the bag on the conveyor belt. Cameras will scan the bag tag and measure the dimensions of your bag, while scales will determine its weight. The bag will then be directed through the airport baggage system and onto your flight. If a bag fee is required or if your bag exceeds size or weight limits, the machine will instruct you to make the necessary payment.
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The bag tag kiosk will soon include a biometric ID verification, but during the initial phase, airline employees will manually check IDs. If you prefer not to use the self-service option for your baggage drop-off, there’s no need to worry. Thwaites assures that customer service representatives will always be available to assist you.
Simplified accessibility to Oneworld affiliates
Along with the new ticket lobby and automated bag drop system, Alaska Airlines is promoting the terminal switch as highly beneficial, emphasizing improvements in amenities, access, and convenience.
The recently renovated Terminal 1 post-security section offers several amenities, including SFO’s third yoga room, diverse seating options, numerous charging points, lounge chairs, inclusive restrooms, play zones for kids, new museum exhibits, and new dining and shopping establishments. Additionally, beginning Tuesday, a new universal access lounge called The Club SFO will be available.
Additionally, there’s an extra Transportation Security Administration checkpoint. Terminal 1 features a new mezzanine-level security checkpoint that can be accessed from the AirTrain system. With the new connecting walkway in Terminal 1, all terminals at SFO are now linked post-security. Therefore, when making some connections, passengers no longer need to exit one terminal, take the AirTrain to another, and go through security again.
In Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Alaska Airlines is now situated close to its Oneworld alliance partner, American Airlines, and is adjacent to the International Terminal. “Therefore, connectivity for passengers continuing on to long-haul flights with our Oneworld partners like British Airways, Qantas, Cathay, and others is significantly enhanced,” stated Thwaites.
In July, Alaska Airlines is set to unveil a premier lounge at Terminal 1 in San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Alaska Airlines is making the finishing touches on a new lounge in Terminal 1 that is scheduled to open in the latter part of July.
The new 11,000-square-foot Alaska Airlines lounge will offer 55% more seating compared to the Terminal 2 lounge, while still providing many similar amenities. Expect plenty of loungers, a coffee bar staffed by baristas, complimentary wine, beer, craft brews, and cocktails, a pancake maker, and a rotating selection of snacks and small meals. San Francisco-themed elements carried over include a sourdough bread cart from the Acme Bread Company and a self-serve candy station stocked with Ghirardelli chocolates, jelly beans, M&M’s, and fortune cookies from the Oakland Fortune Factory.
Approximately 90% of the seats in the new lounge will be equipped with power outlets for charging devices, and there will be two “talk boxes” provided for private conversations. The decor will feature locally themed artwork, including a “candy wall” showcasing candy made in San Francisco. Regrettably, the charming children’s room adorned with San Francisco Giants baseball memorabilia will not be relocated to the new Terminal 1 lounge, according to Liz Vernon, manager of lounge programs for Alaska Airlines.
Until the Alaska Airlines lounge in Terminal 1 becomes operational, Alaska Lounge and Lounge+ members, along with first-class passengers on flights exceeding 2,000 miles, can access the Alaska Lounge in Terminal 2. This lounge is located a 10-15 minute walk away from the new Alaska gates in Terminal 1. Additionally, Lounge+ members also have entry to the Admirals Club located in Terminal 1 near Gate B13.