Is that this new house the very best Alaska Airways lounge within the nation?
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 would argue it is probably the very best 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 just a few current stops at SFO, and it offers the flagship Alaska Lounge in Seattle’s North Satellite tv for pc a run for its cash.
Associated: The perfect bank cards for airline lounge entry
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 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.
1 of 3
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
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 friends to allow them to in mechanically once they arrived later. This manner, I did not have to attend round and will simply begin having fun with the lounge.
1 of 2
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
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 almost empty. The lounge is open day by 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 of extra restrictive than in years previous once they usually allowed entry to Precedence Move cardholders. That will assist clarify why it isn’t too crowded.
Each day E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day publication
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
These with an Alaska Lounge or an Alaska Lounge+ membership can get in without spending a dime. (An Alaska+ membership additionally gives entry to a community of companion 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 can even 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 costs). Observe you will want to point out the bodily card in some situations.
Associated: Full information to Alaska Lounge entry
Single-entry lounge passes may also be accessible on the market for $60 per individual, however solely as house is on the market. Given how few folks I noticed on my visits to the lounge, I wager 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 one in all Alaska’s different international companions like Icelandair or Starlux.
Lastly, you can even 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 just a few further methods to enter this lounge. See Alaska Airways’ listing 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 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.
1 of 3
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
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.
1 of 3
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
You will not discover showers right here, however there are giant, clear restrooms with Salt & Stone merchandise from La Bottega.
1 of 2
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
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.
1 of 6
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
There are additionally high-back couch chairs and a few non-public cubicles for sound-resistant work areas.
1 of 3
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
My favourite seating space was an extended row of lounger-style chairs the place you may catch views of the airport … or just a few ZZZs.
There was no hearth function such as you’ll see at another Alaska Lounges, however there have been just a few communal couches that appeared cozy.
The lounge can be absolutely wheelchair accessible.
I actually loved the wide range of seating and dealing areas.
Alaska Lounge SFO eating
The Alaska Lounge at SFO has a rotating menu of snacks and small bites. Contemporary fruit and oatmeal have been accessible together with different breakfast gadgets. Deli meats and cheeses have been additionally accessible. Throughout one in all my visits, there was additionally vegetable fried rice.
1 of 3
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
In fact, there’s additionally the well-known Alaska Lounge function: a pancake machine by Popcake. It is a absolutely automated pancake machine that has now grow to be customary at Alaska Lounges. Yum.
As has additionally grow to be customary at Alaska Lounges, there was a barista station the place you may order espresso or seize a pastry to get pleasure from 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.
1 of 2
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
I beloved the self-serve sweet station, which featured Ghirardelli goodies, Alaska Air-colored jelly beans, M&M’s and fortune cookies made by the Oakland Fortune Manufacturing unit.
1 of 3
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
One other notably endearing nod to San Francisco was the enormous 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 recreation within the lounge house. 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 Move lounge, The Membership, it may be crowded. That hasn’t been an issue thus far on the new Alaska Lounge (nor has it on the close by Admirals Membership, for that matter).
I undoubtedly advocate checking it out subsequent time you might be passing by 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.
Associated studying:
Supply hyperlink
