On arrival at San Francisco International Airport on Alaska Airlines, I was able to use the Cathay Pacific Lounge in the south International Terminal.
Alaska Airlines is building a new 8,500 square foot, rooftop lounge at Terminal 2. This lounge should open sometime in 2020. During construction, Alaska Lounge members are able to use the Cathay Pacific Lounge.
To visit this lounge from the Alaska gates, you will have to leave Terminal 2 and take the Airtrain to the International Terminal on the south side. After you clear TSA screening at the International Terminal, turn left and take the elevator to the fourth floor. The Cathay Pacific Lounge also hosts the lounge for Korean Airlines.
The Seating
The lounge is large and has three sections – north, center and south. The center seating features tables and bar-style seating. The computer workstations are also located in the center section. There are more comfortable seating in the north and south sections and the south seating appears to have been refurbished with updated seating.
Power Ports
This is something that I found interesting. There is 110 VAC power in the north and south seating. I didn’t see any power in the center seating areas. There are both 110 VAC and USB port ports in the seating in the south area. This area appears to be refurbished. There are no USB ports in the north seating.
It seems to me that the north seating power outlets could easily be converted to dual 110 VAC and USB power outlets.
Food and Beverage Service
The lounge does have an ample selection of hot, cold, snack and fruit items. The hot selections feature Asian style noodles and accompaniments. The cold items include a tasty selection of sandwiches, cold cuts, salad makings, fruit, snacks and bakery items. There is an onsite kitchen that prepares hot food items.
For beverage service, there is a wide selection of wines, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, juices and a coffee bar.
Facilities and Showers
The lounge seems to have an adequate number of restrooms and shower rooms located at the north and south ends of the lounge. If you want to use a shower room, you will need to see the concierge for a shower room key. The facilities were clean and well maintained.
Overall Impressions
We were there mid-day on Sunday and we found the lounge to be barely occupied. The staff was friendly and attentive during check-in. The food and beverage service featured a good selection of food and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The food staff constantly checks to make sure that food and beverages are stocked. Cathay Pacific staff maintain clean and stocked restrooms and showers. The only improvement that I could see would be the installation of USB power ports in the north and center sections of the lounge.
This lounge experience was quite an upgrade from the Alaska Lounge experience. I look forward to checking out the new Alaska Airlines Lounge at the Terminal 2 rooftop when it opens.
