Air France - Skyteam Airport Lounges San Francisco SFO

Air France-KLM-Priority Pass lounge SFO International A gates

a picture of Eiffel Tower on a wall

My last two international flights from San Francisco SFO were United and SAS Scandinavian departing from the International Terminal G gate 96, but the only lounge access I had was via Diners Club at the Air France-KLM lounge in the A gates on the opposite side of the terminal through a separate security checkpoint.

[Article Correction: The original version of this article reversed the A and G Gates at SFO stating Air France was G area and United/SAS in A gates section of SFO. I realized after reading the first two comments about my mistake 6 hours after posting this article that at the time of writing I was sitting in a Copenhagen Airport lounge drinking Carlsberg beer after having only slept 4 hours in the previous 46 hours since I woke up and started traveling from Monterey to Copenhagen to Malmo, Sweden for a restless night with the European spring daylight savings hour leap forward and then back to CPH airport for a flight to Prague. At least I was not performing brain surgery. I plan to sleep in another 6 hours when it is midnight in Prague. ‘Travel is the frivolous part of serious lives and the serious part of frivolous ones.‘ – Sophie Swetchine ]

Made record time in 2 hours from Monterey Airport MRY to SFO, gassed up and dropped off rental car, rode Air Train to the International Terminal A gates, passed through a no line Pre TSA checkpoint and walked into the Air France-KLM lounge feeling like a carefree traveler shining star, all doors opening my way with just-in-time efficiency.

“Sorry sir. The lounge is at capacity and only our flight passengers are being admitted.”

“When will I be able to enter?”

“Please come back at 3:45.”

It was 2:30pm.

a glass door with signs and a railing
SFO Air France-KLM lounge doors at A Gates

There are several lounges just to the left after clearing the SFO International Terminal A Gates security checkpoint, but only the Air France-KLM lounge admits Diners Club and Priority Pass members.

a screenshot of a large screen
SFO International Terminal A gates lounges

A Wendy’s burger defeated one of the main purposes of arriving early to SFO for lounge food. A bite to eat and leisurely tour of the SFO Museum exhibit Caticons – The Cat in Art used up an hour of my time. One of the highlights of traveling through San Francisco Airport are changing art exhibits in the terminals.

a cat on a wall
SFO International Terminal – Caticons – The Cat in Art
a group of cats on display
SFO Émile Gallé Cats 19th century French ceramics ($2,000-$3,000 value).

At 3:30 I returned to be let in to the Air France lounge.

a picture of Eiffel Tower

When in the Air France lounge I generally choose Kronenbourg 1664 as my drink of choice.

a bottle of beer on a table
Kronenbourg 1664

Plenty of other beverages and food items in the main dining room at the back of the lounge.

a group of bottles of wine
SFO Air France-KLM lounge wines
a bar with bottles of alcohol and food
SFO Air France lounge liquor
a coffee machine on a counter
Air France lounge coffee, water, beer fridge
a salad bar with food in plastic containers
SFO Air France lounge salad bar
a buffet table with different types of food
Air France lounge meats, cheeses, fruit
a tray of food on a counter
Air France lounge sandwiches and grilled veggies

Meatballs, pasta and chicken soup were in covered hot bins.

The lounge is divided into three main areas and one side room.

a room with a table and chairs
Air France entry area space
a table with a television on it
Air France lounge entry area snacks and wine

The main room has more casual seating with cushion chairs and a fireplace. This area is always the most crowded and I don’t ever get a chance for photos without intruding on guests’ privacy.

a poster on a wall
Air France lounge main room
a room with chairs and a television on the wall
Air France lounge side room
a poster on the wall
Air France lounge side room

Two hours in the Air France-KLM lounge allowed me to have a couple of beers and some veggies before heading back across the international terminal to the A gates and my Scandinavian SAS flight to Copenhagen.

a plane parked at an airport
Scandinavian SAS A-343

My flight to Copenhagen was my Star Alliance Gold elite qualification flight as an Aegean Miles+Gold member. Next time through SFO will likely be a Star Alliance lounge visit, as long as I am departing on a Star Alliance ticketed flight.

 

 

4 Comments

  • Jimmy March 31, 2019

    Ric, isn’t the Air France lounge in terminal A and Star Alliance flights in terminal G? I think you got it backwards.

    And the AF Lounge staff didn’t give you any trouble about not having a flight departing from terminal A. In theory with PP you have to be departing from that terminal.

  • Andy March 31, 2019

    Mistake!
    Air France and KLM use the A Pier – NOT G
    Star Alliance carrier SAS has accès to the United Club in Pier G.
    There is no Star-Alliance lounge in the A Pier . The Air France/KLM Lounge is in Pier A.
    If you are business class same day on Star Alliance flight – you can also access the United Polaris Lounge in Pier G

  • Ric Garrido March 31, 2019

    Obviously I got it backwards with Star Alliance at G gates and Air France lounge at A gates. My excuse is 46 hours travel with less than 4 hours sleep.

    I have never had an issue in SFO telling the TSA people I am going to the airport lounge at international A gates because I did not have access to an airport lounge at G gates for my Star Alliance flight.

  • FNT Delta Diamond April 7, 2019

    I’m shocked the Air France lounge at SFO doesn’t serve a real French champagne, but rather a cheaper French non-champagne sparkling wine.

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