San Francisco airport time between terminals
#1
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Joined: Jan 2003
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San Francisco airport time between terminals
Good morning everyone
I'm going to have a flight which is connecting in SFO and which will be going from a domestic flight to an international flight.
I'm wondering if I land in terminal three and have to make it over to terminal one - how long will this take?
I have slightly over an hour assuming the plane is not late. It's a United flight.
Thank you!
I'm going to have a flight which is connecting in SFO and which will be going from a domestic flight to an international flight.
I'm wondering if I land in terminal three and have to make it over to terminal one - how long will this take?
I have slightly over an hour assuming the plane is not late. It's a United flight.
Thank you!
#3
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,339
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I used to frequently fly United SFO international on business travel. All the flights I took departed from the "International Terminal". See here:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con.../maps/sfo.aspx
An hour should be no problem, assuming the on time arrival.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con.../maps/sfo.aspx
An hour should be no problem, assuming the on time arrival.
#5

Joined: Mar 2003
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I think that this is cutting it close. If I understand this correctly, the OP is arriving at the domestic terminal, and depending where in that terminal, it could be a long walk to get to the AirTrain. For international flights there is an obligatory passport control at the desk and then a security check; both of which could have long lines. Unless the OP has some kind of priority treatment, I would worry about making the connection.
I had a similar connection time in Toronto on a flight from SFO to Copenhagen, and the night before our departure I received a notice that I was re-booked on a flight that left 3 hours earlier in SFO.
I had a similar connection time in Toronto on a flight from SFO to Copenhagen, and the night before our departure I received a notice that I was re-booked on a flight that left 3 hours earlier in SFO.
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#10
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Gulp. The same flight for this very evening is already scheduled to be almost 3 hours late. They already know it's going to be late.
If I missed the flight to Sydney tomorrow I don't know if there's another one leaving from San Francisco.
If I missed the flight to Sydney tomorrow I don't know if there's another one leaving from San Francisco.
#12
Joined: Mar 2003
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Don't fret. The terminals are not far from each other, and today's flights--the end of the holiday!--are bound to be delayed because of the rainy weather here. Tomorrow should be much better. Since both flights are on United, be sure to let the cabin crew know and they might be able to expedite your deplaning from Baltimore.
#13
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,339
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Note that you don't need to take the AirTrain. In fact the AirTrain site says, "The best way to get from the International Terminal to Terminal 3 (Gates 60 – 90 United) is by walking"
See here:
https://www.flysfo.com/services-amen...ing-around-sfo
Hang a right when you come out of Terminal 3 concourse. Good luck!
See here:
https://www.flysfo.com/services-amen...ing-around-sfo
Hang a right when you come out of Terminal 3 concourse. Good luck!
#14
Joined: Jan 2003
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One other thing to consider: if you booked BOTH flights on the same airline at the same time (ie, you paid one time for United Airlines flights, both into SFO and from SFO to Sydney), then United is legally responsible for ensuring you have enough time to get between flights (note that weather or safety concerns that delay your initial flight nullify this responsibility). If they fail to allow you to make your connection, THEY are responsible for getting you on the next available flight. If "next available" means spending the night at an SFO motel, that's out of your pocket, but at least you won't have to buy another ticket.
Note that if you made two separate purchases, you're on your own for making the connection -- if you miss it for ANY reason, United will only give you a break out of the kindness of its heart.
My experience has (unfortunately) become to NEVER trust a connection on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Actually, it's never to even FLY on that date, but I know that's not always an option.
Note that if you made two separate purchases, you're on your own for making the connection -- if you miss it for ANY reason, United will only give you a break out of the kindness of its heart.
My experience has (unfortunately) become to NEVER trust a connection on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Actually, it's never to even FLY on that date, but I know that's not always an option.
#17
Joined: Mar 2003
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Ask the flight crew to contact SFO and arrange for an electric cart to meet you at the gate--might save time. If you do miss your flight to Sydney, make your case with United to rebook you on an other airline for that leg. I think you'll make it, though.
#19
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Ugh. It all hinges on if flight UAL2063 departs SFO on time. That's my plane. And of course if it turns around and 2059 doesn't tarry.
I wouldn't be so bothered if this wasn't the last flight to SYD that day and didn't have another 24 hours to wait.
I wouldn't be so bothered if this wasn't the last flight to SYD that day and didn't have another 24 hours to wait.

