We had previously visited the Alaska Lounge in 2022 when it was still located in Terminal 2 of San Francisco International Airport. In July 2024, the lounge relocated to the newly renovated Harvey Milk Terminal 1. This is not a refurbishment of the old lounge, but an entirely new location within Terminal 1. Naturally, we were curious to see how the move changed the experience.
The new lounge was unveiled in July 2024 and designed by William Duff Architects, bringing a noticeably more contemporary look and feel to the space. Naturally, we were curious to see how the move changed the experience before our Cathay Pacific flight back to Singapore.
In this article:
Location and access
The lounge sits near Gate B6 of Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at the San Francisco International Airport. Since all terminals at SFO are now connected airside, it took us roughly three minutes to walk over from the International Terminal after clearing security.
Upon arrival, the lobby featured banners promoting Alaska’s new Atmos rewards programme, highlighting the rebranded identity that aligns with the refreshed interior design.
Take the lift up to the second floor, and you’ll be greeted by the nicely decorated reception.
Access follows the standard oneworld lounge policy. Alaska and American Airlines elite members do not receive access when flying solely within North America. However, oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members from other frequent flyer programmes flying on any carrier can enter, even on a domestic itinerary. Since we were flying with Cathay Pacific, my oneworld Sapphire status qualified us for entry.
For more information on other access methods, such as using a Day Pass, you can check out Alaska Airlines’ website.
The lounge opens daily from 5am to 10:30pm.
Layout
The lounge opens into two wings after check-in, each with its own distinct atmosphere and purpose.
Right wing
Starting with the right wing, this space is clearly designed around comfort and calm. The lighting is softer, creating an inviting mood for anyone preferring a quieter pre-flight break.
The right wing begins with booth-style seats that provide semi-private nooks, while a series of low sofas fill the central area, paired with small tables for drinks or light bites.
Closer to the windows are deep lounging chairs facing the tarmac, offering great views for planespotters or anyone just wanting to watch the evening light fade over the runway.
For those needing to stay plugged in, several productivity pods line up near the rear of the right wing. Each comes with power sockets and a small tabletop. It’s good enough for catching up on emails or taking a quick call before boarding. This side of the lounge tends to stay quiet even during the afternoon, making it easy to find a spot to relax without background noise.
Left wing
Walking back towards reception and over to the left wing, the lounge transforms into a livelier dining and social space.
The design shifts from muted tones to brighter lighting and busier energy, almost like a casual café. The path opens up into an elongated layout, lined with a mix of dining tables and bar-style counters.
Some tables are arranged face-to-face for groups, while others face the tarmac. These seats are ideal for solo travellers who prefer scenery over small talk.
Midway along this side sits the main food zone with buffet counters and snack displays, convenient for guests to graze or grab a full plate without having to queue awkwardly.
The area gradually narrows toward the end, leading to the full-service bar that anchors the far corner.
The bar’s counter seating, combined with the surrounding high-top tables, forms a comfortable space for those wanting to enjoy a drink and catch a game of the NFL Super Bowl 60.
Food and drinks
Food and drinks are found entirely on the left wing. The lounge features a barista counter serving fresh-brew coffee, including chai, lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, and hot chocolate. Unfortunately, this service wasn’t running during my late afternoon visit at 5pm, possibly reserved for the morning rush.
A small shelf nearby carries brownies and cookies for self-service snacking.
Next to it is a section with Ghirardelli chocolates, jellybeans, and fortune cookies in masonic jars, with takeaway bags at the side if you prefer to bring them up the flight. The Ghirardelli chocolates and fortune cookies felt very San Francisco for sure.
The hot buffet selection that evening included build-your-own tacos with brown rice, Asian stir-fry vegetables, tortillas, and pork carnitas.
As dinner service rolled in, the setup rotated to orange chicken in place of the carnitas, along with tomato cream soup.
A cold salad bar ran alongside with greens, dressings, and fruit for those wanting something lighter. Bread and pastries rounded out the spread.
A small nod to Alaska’s heritage remained on display: their well-known mini pancakes, a fixture since the old Alaska Board Room days back in 2015.
Over at the bar, guests can request complimentary cocktails and spirits, although a few premium spirits come with an extra charge.
The right wing of the lounge also offers a Ritual drip coffee station for those who prefer a quick, unpretentious caffeine fix.
Amenities
Facilities are limited. There’s a lone phone booth-style pod for anyone needing privacy for calls or meetings, but that’s about it.
Showers are notably absent, which feels like a missed opportunity given the lounge’s recent refurbishment and the airport’s role as a major hub for long-haul connections.
Concluding thoughts
The new Alaska Airlines Lounge at SFO is a clear improvement over its predecessor when it moved over to the newly renovated Harvey Milk Terminal 1, thanks to a more refined design, pleasant natural light, and comfortable seating.
The food options are decent enough for a short stay, though anyone expecting a wide buffet or made-to-order dishes might be disappointed. The lack of showers is the most obvious downside, but for short-haul flights, it does the job nicely.
If you’re connecting internationally from SFO, it’s a quiet and welcoming stop before heading onward. But it’s not one you’d budget extra time to linger in.
