The Airchive - San Francisco Planespotting

	San Francisco International Airport - SFO San Francisco International Airport is the nation's fifth busiest airport and ninth in the world in terms of passenger traffic. It has a storied past as the setting of the TV series "San Francisco International Airport" and as Pan Am's former Pacific gateway. Located 15 miles south of downtown, The airport is often suseptible to flight delays due to the city's notorious fog. This was a contributing factor to Southwest pulling out of the airport.
	SFO International Terminal - 2001 The 24 gates of SFO's impressive international terminal opened in December 7, 2001; ironically the 60th anniversary of the Bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is the largest international terminal in the U.S. The terminal fronts the former entrance to the terminal row requiring vehicle traffic to drive in a tunnel underneath the ticketing area. Two concourse wings eminate from either side. Next to LAX, SFO is America's premiere gateway to the Pacific Rim.


	British Airways 747-400 BA operates a double daily service to Heathrow from SFO. This 747-400 is one of the last remaining in BA's World Colors sheme.
	SFO Central Terminal (Terminal Two) - 1954 Terminal 2 was the International Terminal for SFO until it was surplaced by the New International Terminal in 2001. When it opened in 1954 as the Central Terminal, it was the site of many firsts including TWA and United's first jet service. It is situated between Terminals 1 & 2, and having been abandoned is only used as a walkway between them. It is not currently known as to whether it will be reopened or eventually demolished.

	Central Terminal Ramp Photos courtesy: Paul Wickstrom
	SFO Aviation Inc. Store Due to its museum, fascinating international traffic, and home of a major United hub, SFO is a planespotters dream. A major attraction is the relocated Aviation Inc. Store located between Terminal 3 and the International Terminal.
	Terminal Three and Old 1954 International Terminal United is the dominant carrier at SFO, occupying most of Terminal One. UA has always been a major carrier here first with domestic and Hawaiian service, than in the far east followed by the absorption of Pan Am's Asian routes in 1986.The image below with the planes suspended from the roof was UA's original Pinwheel terminal which is now a spoke within two concourses. American Airlines operates some service from the terminal as well. This terminal, originally opened in 1974, is looking pretty worn and has been slated for renovation as the industry recovers.


	Shuttle by United 737-500 United Airlines is the dominant carrier at SFO. The backbone of the short haul fleet is the 737-500. The 737 was the aircraft of choice for the Shuttle by United operation. Designed to compete head on with Southwest in the West, the Shuttle's costs were always too high to be profitable, and is being wond down. Ted, based in Denver, is United's new low fare airline.
	United Airlines A-320 With the arrival of the A-320 in the early 90s, no new 737s have been ordered. The Baby Boeings tend to operate short to medium haul domestic routes while the Baby Busses are used to cover medium haul routes and even transcons on thin flights.
	United Airlines Departure Screen Visitors to United Hub cities will recognize these unique flight information screens. In the U.S., UA pioneered these next generation screens which display everything from upgrade lists to destination weather to aircraft type.
	United Express CRJ-200 Flight Deck Displays (PFD, ND) Mesa Aviation operates many United Express flights in the West with RJs.
	United Airlines Maintenance Base United constructed its famous Jet Base in the late 1950s just prior to the arrival of the DC-8s. A warehouse adjacent to airport property was burning the day these photos were taken.
	United Airlines Memorabilia Displays United houses an extensive memorabilia display in Terminal Three. Many of these artifacts are featured on the SFO Museum page.
	SFO Terminal One (American)
	SFO Terminal Three All domestic airlines, with the exception of United and American, operate from Terminal Three.
	Sun Country Boeing 737-800 Photos courtesy: Paul Wickstrom
	Delta Boeing 757 Photos courtesy: Paul Wickstrom
	Vintage Delta 737 Photos courtesy: Paul Wickstrom
	SFO Aerials Photos courtesy: Paul Wickstrom
	Lineups, Departures, and Arrivals at SFO Photos courtesy: Paul Wickstrom


	Giants Stadium Aerial Photos courtesy: Paul Wickstrom
	Jump to SFO Museum and United Airlines Memorabilia Display