STORY UPDATE – ALASKA LOUNGE SFO REVIEW CAN BE FOUND HERE.
Alaska Airlines opens their new SFO Lounge featuring local craft beers, a build-your-own sourdough toast bar, handcrafted espresso drinks and a San Francisco Giants-themed children’s play area. The San Francisco joins seven other Alaska lounges now open across the United States.
Today, Alaska Airlines is taking the Bay Area to new heights as it unveils its brand-new Lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). With sights of the city and a runway throughout the 9,200 square feet of Bay-Area-inspired amenities, visitors will experience the best of the Bay at every turn.
Upon entering the Lounge, guests will be greeted with a gallery wall featuring fine art designed by local artists and curated by San Francisco-based Minted, the global marketplace that brings the best from independent designers to consumers everywhere. In the main space, guests will enjoy the powerful painting Offshore, a reflection on climate change and water by American painter and printmaker Anne Neely, to honor Alaska’s deep commitment to environmental responsibility and communities.
“After much anticipation, we’re thrilled to give our guests a place to work, relax, unwind and enjoy some of the best of what the Golden City has to offer when they travel through SFO on Alaska or a oneworld partner,” said Sangita Woerner, senior vice president of marketing and guest experience at Alaska Airlines. “Hands down, Alaska offers the single best value of any airport lounge membership in the country. Our eight lounges redefine the guest experience and offer a calm oasis for every type of traveler including kid-friendly spaces, peaceful nooks, local wine or beer and tasty, locally sourced bites.”
A “Taste Of San Francisco”
Those looking for a refreshing beverage will enjoy a full bar featuring complimentary Bay Area craft brews on tap, wines from local vineyards, and an espresso bar staffed by a trained barista. Guests with a sweet tooth can choose from a wide selection of favorites like made-to-order pancakes or dig into locally-based, mouthwatering sweet treats at the candy bar including Ghirardelli chocolates, Jelly Belly jelly beans and custom travel-themed cookies by Oakland Fortune Cookie Factory—a third-generation family business. Treat yourself to fresh meals at the bistro or check out the new sourdough toast cart, featuring San Francisco’s famous sourdough from The Acme Bread Co. Acme is known for its San Francisco Ferry Building location and the Bay Area restaurants it supplies, including Berkeley’s celebrated Chez Panisse. Available at lunch and dinner meal times, the sourdough cart will also offer a variety of sweet and savory toppings, such as ricotta with figs and honey, and burrata with pesto.
As a note on beer, I have toured the Anchor Brewery in San Francisco. They still make beer the old-fashioned way in copper vessels. They let the beer develop carbonation naturally through a process called Krausen (pronounced kroy-ZEN). Their Anchor Steam Beer and Anchor Porter do not have carbon dioxide pumped into these brews.
Final Thoughts
I have been waiting for this day to come. Through building infrastructure issues at SFO and terminal moves, Alaska Airlines has been without an SFO lounge for several years. Alaska Airlines lounge members would have to use the American Airlines Admirals Club in Terminal 1. This meant taking the tram to Terminal 1, clear TSA security to visit the Admirals Club and then reverse the process back to Terminal 2.
The new lounge features both views of the city and the runways for avgeeks like me. In keeping with the Alaska Airlines traditions, this lounge features local food and drink for the San Francisco Bay area.
