Exploring Alaska Airlines’ New Terminal and Lounge at SFO T1

This week, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) concludes 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 advantages.

On Wednesday, Alaska Airlines will transition its SFO hub operations from Terminal 2 to the new Harvey Milk T1.

On that day, all of Alaska's flights to and from SFO will start using the T1 gates. The airline's check-in and baggage drop will move to the sparkling new T1 lobby, and all baggage delivery will also occur in T1.

New Lobby Features Self-Service Bag Tagging and Drop-off

With the launch of its new T1 lobby, Alaska becomes the first airline at SFO to introduce automated bag drop, a service it has been testing at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).

This innovation is expected to alleviate congestion in the SFO T1 lobby and minimize long wait times, as noted by Neil Thwaites, Alaska's regional vice president for California.

To utilize the automated bag drop, you'll need to check in online and obtain a boarding pass on your mobile device. Once at the airport, simply scan your boarding pass at one of the bag tag kiosks in the new T1 lobby. The machine will print a peel-off bag tag for you to attach to your luggage, after which you can proceed to the counter with your bag.

Instead of handing your bag to an airline employee, you’ll scan your bag tag and place your luggage on the belt. Cameras will read the bag tag and assess its size, while scales will weigh the bag before it continues along the conveyor belt through the airport's baggage system to your aircraft. If you need to pay a baggage fee or if your bag exceeds size or weight limits, the machine will prompt you for payment.

The bag tag kiosk will soon feature biometric ID verification, but during the initial rollout, airline staff will check IDs. If you prefer not to use the self-service option for bag drop, don't worry—customer service agents will be available to assist you.

Enhanced Access to Oneworld Partners

Along with the new ticket lobby and automated bag drop, Alaska Airlines is promoting the terminal switch as a significant improvement in terms of amenities, access, and convenience.

The newly revamped Terminal 1 post-security area boasts amenities such as SFO's third yoga room, diverse seating options, abundant charging stations, comfortable loungers, inclusive restrooms, play areas for children, new museum exhibitions, and a variety of restaurants and shops. Beginning Tuesday, a new all-access lounge, The Club SFO, will also be available.

Additionally, there's a new "bonus" Transportation Security Administration checkpoint. The mezzanine-level security checkpoint in Terminal 1 can be reached via the AirTrain system. With the completion of the connecting walkway, all SFO terminals are now linked post-security, eliminating the need to switch terminals and re-clear security for some connections.

In Harvey Milk T1, Alaska Airlines has moved closer to its Oneworld alliance partner American Airlines and is now adjacent to the International Terminal. Thwaites noted, "This significantly enhances connectivity for passengers flying on long-haul services with our Oneworld partners like British Airways, Qantas, and Cathay."

Alaska Airlines is set to unveil a flagship lounge in Terminal 1 at SFO this July.

Alaska Airlines is finalizing details for a new lounge in Terminal 1, expected to open in the latter half of July.

The new Alaska Airlines lounge spans 11,000 square feet, offering 55% more seating compared to the Terminal 2 lounge, along with many similar amenities. Guests will enjoy plenty of loungers, a barista-operated coffee bar, complimentary wine, beer, craft brews, cocktails, a pancake maker, and a rotating selection of snacks and light meals. Notable San Francisco elements include a sourdough bread cart from Acme Bread Company and a self-serve candy station featuring Ghirardelli chocolates, jelly beans, M&M's, and fortune cookies from the Oakland Fortune Factory.

Approximately 90% of the seating in the new lounge will be equipped with power outlets for charging devices, and there will be two "talk boxes" designated for private conversations. The lounge will also showcase locally themed artwork, including a "candy wall" filled with treats made in San Francisco. Unfortunately, the delightful children's room adorned with San Francisco Giants memorabilia will not be relocating to the new Terminal 1 lounge, as noted by Liz Vernon, manager of lounge programs for Alaska Airlines.

Until the new Alaska Airlines lounge in Terminal 1 is operational, Alaska Lounge and Lounge+ members, along with first-class passengers on flights over 2,000 miles, can access the Alaska Lounge in Terminal 2, which is a 10-15-minute walk from the new Alaska gates in Terminal 1. Lounge+ members also have entry to the Admirals Club located in Terminal 1 by Gate B13.