Alaska Airlines has a brand new house within the remade Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO), and it has opened a elaborate 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 provider 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 current stops at SFO, and it provides the flagship Alaska Lounge in Seattle’s North Satellite 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 couple of 10-minute stroll down the terminal.
The Alaska Lounge’s design is glossy and fashionable. 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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Once you step off the elevators, pleasant staff at a check-in desk will greet you. I had nice interactions on each my visits. One agent even supplied to take the names of my visitors to allow them to in routinely once they arrived later. This fashion, 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 traces to get in, and the lounge was practically empty. The lounge is open each day from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Alaska Lounge SFO entry necessities
Entry necessities for this new Alaska Lounge are a bit extra restrictive than in years previous once they commonly allowed entry to Precedence Cross cardholders. Which 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 without cost. (An Alaska+ membership additionally affords entry to a community of associate lounges, together with all American Airlines Admirals Clubs, Qantas Club areas and a few United Clubs.)
These with an American Airways Admirals Membership membership can even use Alaska Lounges when flying a same-day American- or Alaska-operated flight. That features holders of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees). Notice you will want to indicate the bodily card in some cases.
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Single-entry lounge passes may even be out there on the market for $60 per particular person, however solely as area is out there. Given how few individuals I noticed on my visits to the lounge, I guess that passes will likely be out there on the market pretty typically. To buy a cross, you will have to be flying on both Alaska, a Oneworld airline or one among Alaska’s different world companions like Icelandair or Starlux.
Lastly, it’s also possible to 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 Airlines’ list of lounge policies and rules for extra info.
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Alaska Lounge SFO facilities
One of many highlights is a huge wraparound bar the place bartenders make cocktails like Alaska’s well-known bloody mary and in addition 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 comfortable 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 may catch views of the airport … or a number of ZZZs.
There was no hearth function such as you’ll see at another Alaska Lounges, however there have been a number of communal couches that appeared cozy.
The lounge can 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 out there together with different breakfast gadgets. Deli meats and cheeses have been additionally out there. Throughout one among my visits, there was additionally vegetable fried rice.
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After all, there’s additionally the well-known Alaska Lounge function: a pancake machine by Popcake. It is a absolutely automated pancake machine that has now change into customary at Alaska Lounges. Yum.
As has additionally change into customary at Alaska Lounges, there was a barista station the place you may 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 impartial and woman-owned, and it is a good contact in a San Francisco lounge.
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I beloved 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 facility.
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One other significantly endearing nod to San Francisco was the large sculptural mural on the wall of the primary eating space.
I actually beloved all of the tributes to the Bay Space unfold all through the lounge, from the artwork to the meals and beverage picks.
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 if in case you have the entry and the time earlier than a flight.
Whereas I beloved the brand new Precedence Cross lounge, The Membership, it may be crowded. That hasn’t been an issue up to now on the new Alaska Lounge (nor has it on the close by Admirals Membership, for that matter).
I positively advocate checking it out subsequent time you might be passing via 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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