Alaska Airways has a brand new residence within the remade Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO), and it has opened a flowery new lounge to accompany it. I might argue it is probably the perfect out of Alaska’s 9 lounges within the nation. As we first reported in June, the Seattle-based service moved its SFO operations from Terminal 2 to the beautiful new Terminal 1, named after homosexual rights pioneer Harvey Milk. That transfer neatly coincided with the opening of a brand-new 11,000-square-foot lounge.
I had the chance to test it out on a number of latest stops at SFO, and it offers the flagship Alaska Lounge in Seattle’s North Satellite tv for pc a run for its cash.
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Alaska Lounge location at SFO
The Alaska Lounge opened in June at SFO’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1. It is throughout from Gate B6 and never removed from the brand-new The Membership at SFO lounge, which I reviewed final month.
The brand new American Airways Admirals Membership is a few 10-minute stroll down the terminal.
The Alaska Lounge’s design is glossy and trendy. When you enter the sliding glass doorways, you will discover a big foyer space with a financial institution of elevators that can take you upstairs to the precise lounge.
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Whenever you step off the elevators, pleasant workers at a check-in desk will greet you. I had nice interactions on each my visits. One agent even provided to take the names of my visitors to allow them to in robotically after they arrived later. This manner, I did not have to attend round and will simply begin having fun with the lounge.
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I visited as soon as in October and as soon as in November. There have been no strains to get in, and the lounge was almost empty. The lounge is open every day from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Alaska Lounge SFO entry necessities
Entry necessities for this new Alaska Lounge are a little bit extra restrictive than in years previous after they often allowed entry to Precedence Cross cardholders. That will assist clarify why it is not too crowded.
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These with an Alaska Lounge or an Alaska Lounge+ membership can get in free of charge. (An Alaska+ membership additionally presents entry to a community of accomplice lounges, together with all American Airways Admirals Golf equipment, Qantas Membership areas and a few United Golf equipment.)
These with an American Airways Admirals Membership membership may also use Alaska Lounges when flying a same-day American- or Alaska-operated flight. That features holders of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard® (see charges and charges). Word you will want to indicate the bodily card in some situations.
Associated: Full information to Alaska Lounge entry
Single-entry lounge passes will even be accessible on the market for $60 per individual, however solely as area is offered. Given how few individuals I noticed on my visits to the lounge, I guess that passes will likely be accessible on the market pretty usually. To buy a go, you will should be flying on both Alaska, a Oneworld airline or considered one of Alaska’s different international companions like Icelandair or Starlux.
Lastly, you can too use the lounge in case you are a first-class passenger with paid or award tickets on flights of two,000 miles or extra.
There are a number of extra methods to enter this lounge. See Alaska Airways’ record of lounge insurance policies and guidelines for extra data.
Associated: Alaska Airways Visa Signature Card evaluate
Alaska Lounge SFO facilities
One of many highlights is a big wraparound bar the place bartenders make cocktails like Alaska’s well-known bloody mary and likewise serve West Coast wines and beers. Among the many top-shelf choices are Jim Beam, Crown Royal and Maker’s Mark whiskeys and Aviation and Bombay Sapphire gins.
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The brand new lounge is available in at a whopping 11,000 sq. ft and has 55% extra seating than the outdated lounge in Terminal 2.
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You will not discover showers right here, however there are giant, clear restrooms with Salt & Stone merchandise from La Bottega.
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There are many seating and lounging areas, together with four-top tables, particular person desklike setups and cozy high-back chairs with views of the tarmac.
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There are additionally high-back couch chairs and a few personal cubicles for sound-resistant work areas.
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My favourite seating space was a protracted row of lounger-style chairs the place you possibly can catch views of the airport … or a number of ZZZs.
There was no fire characteristic such as you’ll see at another Alaska Lounges, however there have been a number of communal couches that appeared cozy.
The lounge can also be absolutely wheelchair accessible.
I actually loved the big variety of seating and dealing areas.
Alaska Lounge SFO eating
The Alaska Lounge at SFO has a rotating menu of snacks and small bites. Recent fruit and oatmeal have been accessible together with different breakfast gadgets. Deli meats and cheeses have been additionally accessible. Throughout considered one of my visits, there was additionally vegetable fried rice.
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After all, there’s additionally the well-known Alaska Lounge characteristic: a pancake machine by Popcake. It is a absolutely automated pancake machine that has now develop into customary at Alaska Lounges. Yum.
As has additionally develop into customary at Alaska Lounges, there was a barista station the place you possibly can order espresso or seize a pastry to take pleasure in within the lounge.
There was additionally a beverage station providing two high-end Eversys espresso machines, a Coca-Cola soda machine, teas and some different treats. This lounge serves espresso and espresso from San Francisco-based Ritual Espresso Roasters. The corporate is unbiased and woman-owned, and it is a good contact in a San Francisco lounge.
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I liked the self-serve sweet station, which featured Ghirardelli sweets, Alaska Air-colored jelly beans, M&M’s and fortune cookies made by the Oakland Fortune Manufacturing unit.
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One other significantly endearing nod to San Francisco was the large sculptural mural on the wall of the principle eating space.
I actually liked all of the tributes to the Bay Space unfold all through the lounge, from the artwork to the meals and beverage choices.
Backside line
SFO has actually stepped up its sport within the lounge area. Three lounges within the new T1 alone make lounge-hopping a enjoyable exercise when you have the entry and the time earlier than a flight.
Whereas I liked the brand new Precedence Cross lounge, The Membership, it may be crowded. That hasn’t been an issue to this point on the new Alaska Lounge (nor has it on the close by Admirals Membership, for that matter).
I positively suggest checking it out subsequent time you’re passing by way of SFO.
It does not have therapeutic massage chairs, nap rooms or showers, however then once more, most Alaska Lounges do not. The San Francisco Alaska Lounge is my new favourite.
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