San Francisco airport lounges: which one to pick by terminal
Travelers flying from San Francisco find lounges spread across several terminals, with airline lounges, paid clubs and even a shower-only service before security. Finding your way isn't obvious: the right choice depends on your departure terminal, your travel class and the card in your pocket.
Travelers departing from Terminal 3 with United have more than one lounge to choose from: besides the club in Boarding Area E, there's also the one near gate F11, handy for those arriving later in the day, which stays open until midnight. Those flying in intercontinental first or business class, or with the airline's highest program status, can instead head to the United Polaris Lounge in International Terminal G, designed for longer layovers with a shower, a rest area and hot food: here a day pass isn't enough, you need the right ticket or status.
Those flying American will find the Admirals Club in Terminal 1, with private shower suites, while Alaska passengers have their own lounge nearby, handy for anyone after a freshly made coffee or a West Coast craft beer before boarding. Those flying Delta, on the other hand, need to plan for a setback: the Terminal 1 lounge is closed for renovation, with no reopening date announced, so it's worth turning to one of the paid or card-based alternatives.
IndependentInternational Terminal A · International flightsPriority Pass
Golden Gate Lounge
Concourse A, level 4, first left after the checkpoint and up the escalators
Unlike the Air France lounge on the third floor, it has no showers, but offers snacks, finger food and alcoholic drinks included in the entry.
Hours
08:00-00:30
Entry with Priority Pass or paid for $47; maximum stay of 3 hours, with possible restrictions due to lack of space between 11:00 and 13:00 and between 17:00 and 22:30.
OtherInternational Terminal GBefore security
Freshen Up
Main atrium, before the security checkpoint for the G gates
More than a lounge in the traditional sense, it is a shower and rest-room service open around the clock, with toiletries and an ironing service available.
Hours
Open 24 hours
Paid access: 30-minute deluxe shower for $25, rest room for $40 the first hour and then $10 every 15 minutes ($8 after the second hour).
Showers
Rest area
IndependentTerminal 1Priority Pass
The Club SFO
Harvey Milk Terminal 1
The airport's most recently opened Priority Pass lounge, it offers buffet food and drinks and a paid, bookable shower.
Hours
04:30-23:30
Free entry with Priority Pass; day pass for $75 for those without eligibility; shower bookable for $25.
Showers
OtherTerminal 1Before security
USO Lounge
Mezzanine level, landside (before the security checkpoint), above the American Airlines ticket counter
Run by the USO, it offers internet stations, a gaming area and free snacks and drinks when available, but it is reached before the security checkpoint.
Hours
07:00-20:00
Reserved for active-duty military personnel, reservists and the National Guard, and for family members with a DOD card.
AirlineInternational Terminal · International flights
Cathay Pacific Lounge
South departures hall, fourth level
It follows Cathay Pacific's flight schedule with two separate opening shifts a day, and has a noodle bar as well as private shower suites.
Hours
09:00-12:45, 20:20-00:05
Showers
Hot food
Bar
AirlineInternational Terminal · International flights
Maharaja Lounge
After the security checkpoint, near the A gates, one floor above the entrance
Air India's first own-brand lounge in the United States, it covers about 307 square meters with design elements inspired by Indian craftsmanship.
Hours
06:00-23:55
Entry for Air India First and Business passengers, Gold and Platinum members of the Maharaja Club program and equivalent Star Alliance members; also accessible through the Plaza Premium Group affiliated lounge network.
AirlineInternational Terminal A · International flights
Air France-KLM Lounge
Concourse A, level 3, first left after the security checkpoint
Reopened on June 16, 2023 after a complete renovation.
Hours
10:00-20:30
Access reserved for passengers departing from International Terminal A; during the 10:00-15:00 and 15:30-18:30 windows, entry may be limited due to lack of space.
AirlineInternational Terminal A · International flightsPriority Pass
British Airways Lounge
After the security checkpoint, near gate A5
It opens in two separate shifts during the day to stay in sync with British Airways' intercontinental departures.
Hours
05:00-11:30, 13:30-18:45
Entry for British Airways and Iberia First and Business passengers with a same-day boarding pass, and for oneworld Emerald or Sapphire members; Priority Pass members are admitted only between 05:00 and 11:30, with a maximum stay of 3 hours.
AirlineInternational Terminal A · International flights
China Airlines Dynasty Lounge
Right after the security checkpoint, to the left and up the escalators, fourth level
During evening peak hours, entry may be limited due to lack of space.
Hours
08:00-20:30
Entry for China Airlines Premium Business passengers, Dynasty Gold, Emerald and Paragon members, SkyTeam international First and Business passengers and SkyTeam Elite Plus members; paid entry available. Access with a lounge pass is allowed only until 18:00 and the maximum stay is 3 hours.
AirlineInternational Terminal A · International flights
Emirates Lounge
Boarding Area A, level 3, between gates A2 and A6
At about 883 square meters, it has the largest dining room among the airport's lounges and is the only one with a dedicated prayer room; Italian marble floors and gold-toned Rolex clocks complete the decor.
Hours
12:00-16:00
Entry for Emirates First and Business passengers and for Skywards Gold members flying Emirates.
Showers
Hot food
Bar
AirlineInternational Terminal A · International flightsPriority Pass
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
Level 5, after the security checkpoint
Virgin Atlantic's only Clubhouse on the West Coast of the United States.
Entry for Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers, Flying Club Gold members and China Eastern premium passengers; Priority Pass members admitted only subject to space availability. Access from three hours before departure for those flying in an eligible cabin.
Bar
AirlineInternational Terminal G · International flights
United Club
After the security checkpoint
The third United lounge at the airport, it sits alongside the two in Terminal 3 and is located in International Terminal G, next to the Polaris Lounge.
Entry for United Club members, Star Alliance Gold members, United or Star Alliance passengers in international first or business class, and with a day pass for $59.
AirlineInternational Terminal G · International flights
United Polaris Lounge
After the security checkpoint and the inter-terminal connector
At about 2,600 square meters, it is the largest Polaris Lounge in the United network: it offers a full-service restaurant, a noodle bar, five sleep rooms and eight showers.
Hours
07:00-23:00
Access reserved for Polaris Business passengers and long-haul First Class passengers of Star Alliance carriers; it cannot be purchased with a day pass.
Showers
Hot food
Rest area
AirlineTerminal 1
Admirals Club
Near gate B13
LEED Gold certified, it features three tree sculptures evoking Golden Gate Park and two private shower suites.
Hours
04:30-23:30
Entry for Admirals Club members, American passengers in international business or first class, AAdvantage Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members on international routes, and with a day pass.
Showers
Bar
AirlineTerminal 1
Alaska Lounge
Across from gate B6
At about 1,020 square meters, it is the second-largest lounge in the Alaska network, with a barista-staffed coffee bar, West Coast craft wine and beer, and a San Francisco Giants-themed play area for children.
Hours
05:00-22:30
Entry for Alaska Lounge members and for eligible premium passengers of Alaska and partner airlines.
Bar
Children's area
AirlineTerminal 2
Maple Leaf Lounge
Fourth floor, after the security checkpoint
The first Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge to open in San Francisco.
Hours
04:15-20:45
Entry for Aeroplan 50K, 75K and Super Elite members, Star Alliance Gold members, holders of premium Aeroplan cards and passengers in business or first class on Air Canada or a Star Alliance partner airline; access allowed only within the three hours before departure, except for transit passengers or those with a delayed flight.
Credit cardTerminal 2
The Centurion Lounge
Concourse D, right after the security checkpoint, near Compass Books and Napa Farms Market
It occupies a temporary location in Terminal 2 due to the Terminal 3 West modernization project, with reopening in its permanent location expected in 2027.
Entry for American Express Platinum, Business Platinum and Centurion cardholders, within three hours of departure; minimum age 18 unless accompanied.
Showers
Hot food
Bar
AirlineTerminal 3 · International flights
United Club
Concourse F, near gate F11
Compared to the Boarding Area E lounge, the one at gate F11 closes later, at midnight, and keeps its original vintage-style furnishings.
Hours
05:00-24:00
Entry for United Club members, Star Alliance Gold members, United or Star Alliance passengers in international first or business class, and with a day pass for $59.
AirlineTerminal 3 · International flights
United Club
Boarding Area E, mezzanine level, near gate E4
Opened in November 2015, it seats over one hundred and covers about 464 square meters, with Arne Jacobsen's Egg Chair among the furnishings.
Hours
05:00-23:00
Entry for United Club members, Star Alliance Gold members, United or Star Alliance passengers in international first or business class, and with a day pass for $59.
Bar
AirlineTerminal 1Temporarily closed
Delta Sky Club
Concourse C, near gate C3
Temporarily closed for renovation work as part of Delta's Sky Club upgrade plan announced in 2026, with no reopening date announced.
No lounges match this filter.
For those who don't fly with any of these airlines, there are still lounges accessible by card or pass. American Express's Centurion Lounge now occupies a temporary location in Terminal 2, while waiting for its historic one in Terminal 3 to reopen after the works; The Club SFO, in the Harvey Milk Terminal 1, is the newcomer among the Priority Pass lounges and also offers a bookable shower.
The international area concentrates the lounges of the big foreign carriers: the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is the airline's only one on the West Coast, while the Emirates lounge stands out for the largest dining room of any lounge at the airport and for the only dedicated prayer room. Those flying Air France or KLM will find the recently renovated lounge, reserved for those departing from that very section of the terminal; nearby, the Golden Gate Lounge accepts Priority Pass and has no showers, but makes up for it with snacks and drinks included in the entry.
Among the newcomers, Air India's Maharaja Lounge stands out, the airline's first own-brand lounge in the United States, while Cathay Pacific and China Airlines open their respective lounges only around their own flights, with the risk of finding little room during the busiest evening hours. For those who just need a shower or a moment of rest without the requirements of a proper lounge, there's the Freshen Up service, open at any hour before the security checkpoint; active-duty military personnel and their families instead have a dedicated lounge run by the USO.
In the end, the choice comes down to three questions: which terminal you're departing from, which airline or alliance you're flying with, and which card or status you carry. Those with a ticket or high status can almost always count on an airline lounge already included in their trip; those flying economy but holding Priority Pass or a premium card still have solid alternatives, from the Centurion Lounge to the Club SFO to the Golden Gate Lounge in the international area. Only those looking for a moment of hygiene or rest with no flight requirements at all can turn to the Freshen Up, open to everyone for a fee.
