San Francisco International Airport: Difference between revisions

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{{categorybox|North America|United States|California}}
{{categorybox|North America|United States|California}}


San Francisco International Airport(KSFO/SFO) is an international airport located in Northern California. It is located 13 miles south of San Francisco near the cities of San Bruno and Millbrae. It is a hub for United Airlines and is their gateway to Asia. Virgin America is also based at SFO. It is the largest airport in Northern California and the second busiest airport in California, after [[Los Angeles International Airport]]. It features 4 runways, configured in pairs, perpendicularly.  
San Francisco International Airport is an international airport located in Northern California. It is located 13 miles south of San Francisco near the cities of San Bruno and Millbrae. It is a hub for United Airlines and is their gateway to Asia. Virgin America is also based at SFO. It is the largest airport in Northern California and the second busiest airport in California, after [[Los Angeles International Airport]]. It features 4 runways, configured in pairs, perpendicularly.  


{{infobox|fullname=San Francisco<br />International Airport|location=San Francisco, California|iata=SFO|icao=KSFO|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.flysfo.com|mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=SFO&ll=37.619534,-122.385035&spn=0.057675,0.118721&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=120.5 269.1|atcground=121.8|atcclearance=118.2|atcapproach=134.5 135.65 133.95|atcdeparture=120.9 (NW-E)<br />135.1 (SE-W)|atcatis=|atcunicom=122.95|psh=http://www.plane-spotting-hotels.com/index.php/plane-spotting-san-francisco/}}
{{infobox|fullname=San Francisco<br />International Airport|location=San Francisco, California|iata=SFO|icao=KSFO|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.flysfo.com|mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=SFO&ll=37.619534,-122.385035&spn=0.057675,0.118721&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=120.5 269.1|atcground=121.8|atcclearance=118.2|atcapproach=134.5 135.65 133.95|atcdeparture=120.9 (NW-E)<br />135.1 (SE-W)|atcatis=|atcunicom=122.95|psh=http://www.plane-spotting-hotels.com/index.php/plane-spotting-san-francisco/}}
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==Official Spotting Locations==
==Official Spotting Locations==


There are currently no official spotting locations at SFO.  The previous spotting locations at the approach end of RWY 01 was closed after 9/11, and the terminal observation decks were closed even before then.
===International Terminal G Observation Terrace===


However, the [http://www.flysfo.com/museum/aviation-museum-library San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum] is within International Terminal A Side. It is open daily from 10am to 4:30pm except Saturday. Their collection is surprisingly extensive, though not all of it is on display.  It's worth stopping in if you're there when it's open.  Also, temporary rolling exhibitions exist security within the International Terminal as well as air-side Terminal 2 and 3. Public art from the San Francisco Arts Commission is on display throughout the terminals.
In February 2019, an outdoor observation terrace opened at the end of Concourse G of the International Terminal. It is airside and easily accessible to passengers flying out of that concourse as well as Terminal 3. Passengers with a same day boarding pass for a flight from another terminal should be able to access the terrace as well, though it will require clearing security a second time to reach the gate for the departing flight. Open daily from 7:00am to 11:30pm.
 
The terrace located at the end of the concourse, atop the boarding lounges for gates G99 and G101. It also provides a good view of aircraft as they enter and exit the ramp for Concourse G and odd-numbered gates 81-89 in Terminal 3. The entrance is next to Joe & The Juice. Be aware that you will be shooting through glass if you're taking photos.
 
===Terminal 2 Observation Deck===
 
Scheduled to open in October 2019, this observation deck atop Terminal 2 will be landside and open to the public with no boarding pass required.
 
===Aviation Library===
 
The [http://www.flysfo.com/museum/aviation-museum-library San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum] is within International Terminal A. It is open daily from 10am to 4:30pm except Saturday. Their collection is surprisingly extensive, though not all of it is on display.  It's worth stopping in if you're there when it's open.  Also, temporary rolling exhibitions exist security within the International Terminal as well as air-side Terminal 2 and 3. Public art from the San Francisco Arts Commission is on display throughout the terminals.


==Other Spotting Locations==
==Other Spotting Locations==
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===Bayfront Park===
===Bayfront Park===


Bayfront Park is located at the end of Millbrae Ave. along Bayshore Hwy.  It affords good views of all four runways, but it is somewhat distant (about one mile) from 10R/28L and 10L/28R, so you'll need a long lens for photos (about 700mm to get close to regional jets, 4500mm should be good for the heavies).  1R/19L and 1R/19R are closer, however, a chain link fence was recently built next to the runways that limits photography.
Bayfront Park is located at the end of Millbrae Ave. along Bayshore Hwy.  It affords good views of all four runways, but it is somewhat distant (about one mile) from 10R/28L and 10L/28R, so you'll need a long lens for photos (about 700mm to get close to regional jets, 450mm should be good for the heavies).  1R/19L and 1R/19R are closer, however, a chain link fence was recently built next to the runways that limits photography.
{{anetlink|694555}} (1R departure, before the fence was built)
{{anetlink|694555}} (1R departure, before the fence was built)
{{anetlink|950203}} (28L arrival)
{{anetlink|950203}} (28L arrival)
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'''Terminal 2 Air Train stop''' -- Good rotation shots of the 28s, although there will be no warning-bring a scanner. At each end of the stop there is an opening so you do not have to shoot through glass. The opening on the north side of the station gives good shots of rotation and the SFO water towers. The south side will give shots of the thresholds of the 28s (with a long lens), the beginning of the 1s, and Terminal 2 ramp shots. {{anetlink|2739252}} {{anetlink|2416532}}
'''Terminal 2 Air Train stop''' -- Good rotation shots of the 28s, although there will be no warning-bring a scanner. At each end of the stop there is an opening so you do not have to shoot through glass. The opening on the north side of the station gives good shots of rotation and the SFO water towers. The south side will give shots of the thresholds of the 28s (with a long lens), the beginning of the 1s, and Terminal 2 ramp shots. {{anetlink|2739252}} {{anetlink|2416532}}
===Fisherman's Park===
Fisherman's Park is a small area on the coast of the bay under the 28 approach path. The so-called "park" is really a gravel parking lot with small area by the water, used regularly by fishermen. This location is very similar to the popular Coyote Point Recreation Area location; the only differences being it is slightly closer to the threshold, but slightly farther south of the approach path. It is located on Airport Blvd. in Burlingame. A 400mm lens (full frame) will be more than sufficient for heavies, but a longer lens is needed for regionals. It is not the best area at mid-day times, due to the fact that you are shooting above you, but mornings and afternoons will yield great photos.


==Locations to Avoid==
==Locations to Avoid==
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<display_map>
<display_map>
37.605265,-122.376661~ ~ ~ ~ ~Bayfront Park
37.605265,-122.376661~Bayfront Park
37.635894,-122.400111~ ~ ~ ~ ~New Long Term Parking
37.635894,-122.400111~New Long Term Parking
37.631529,-122.401141~ ~ ~ ~ ~San Bruno Ave Overpass
37.631529,-122.401141~San Bruno Ave Overpass
37.616748, -122.384576~ ~ ~ ~ ~Terminal 2 Air Train Stop
37.616748, -122.384576~Terminal 2 Air Train Stop
37.633222,-122.400178~ ~ ~ ~ ~Cell Phone Lot
37.633222,-122.400178~Cell Phone Lot
37.613781, -122.391982~ ~ ~ ~ ~Garage A
37.613781, -122.391982~Garage A
37.615855, -122.392617~ ~ ~ ~ ~Garage G/BART
37.615855, -122.392617~Garage G/BART
37.628242, -122.401189~ ~ ~ ~ ~Rental Car Facility
37.628242, -122.401189~Rental Car Facility
37.591958, -122.334662~Fisherman's Park
</display_map>
</display_map>


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*[http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KSFO SFO on FlightAware]
*[http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KSFO SFO on FlightAware]
*[https://www.flightradar24.com/37.62,-122.37/8 SFO on FlightRadar24]
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