Is that this new area the very best Alaska Airways lounge within the nation?

Alaska Airways has a brand new dwelling 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 might 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 a number of current stops at SFO, and it offers the flagship Alaska Lounge in Seattle’s North Satellite tv for pc 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 modern and trendy. When you enter the sliding glass doorways, you may discover a big foyer space with a financial institution of elevators that can take you upstairs to the precise lounge.

While 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 provided to take the names of my company to allow them to in routinely after they arrived later. This manner, I did not have to attend round and will simply begin having fun with the lounge.

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 of extra restrictive than in years previous after they often allowed entry to Precedence Cross cardholders. Which will assist clarify why it isn’t too crowded.

These with an Alaska Lounge or an Alaska Lounge+ membership can get in without cost. (An Alaska+ membership additionally provides entry to a community of accomplice 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 charges). Be aware you may want to indicate the bodily card in some situations.

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Single-entry lounge passes may also be out there on the market for $60 per individual, however solely as area is out there. Given how few folks I noticed on my visits to the lounge, I guess that passes will probably be out there on the market pretty typically. To buy a move, you may have to 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 a number of further methods to enter this lounge. See Alaska Airways’ listing of lounge insurance policies and guidelines 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 likewise 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.

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.

You will not discover showers right here, however there are massive, clear restrooms with Salt & Stone merchandise from La Bottega.

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.

There are additionally high-back couch chairs and a few personal cubicles for sound-resistant work areas.

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 fire function such as you’ll see at another Alaska Lounges, however there have been a number of communal couches that regarded cozy.

The lounge can be totally 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 out there together with different breakfast objects. Deli meats and cheeses have been additionally out there. Throughout one in all my visits, there was additionally vegetable fried rice.

After all, there’s additionally the well-known Alaska Lounge function: a pancake machine by Popcake. It is a totally computerized pancake machine that has now change into commonplace at Alaska Lounges. Yum.

As has additionally change into commonplace 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 impartial and woman-owned, and it is a good contact in a San Francisco lounge.

I beloved the self-serve sweet station, which featured Ghirardelli candies, Alaska Air-colored jelly beans, M&M’s and fortune cookies made by the Oakland Fortune Manufacturing unit.

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 recreation 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 thus far on the new Alaska Lounge (nor has it on the close by Admirals Membership, for that matter).

I undoubtedly suggest checking it out subsequent time you might be passing by SFO.

It would 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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