FINALLY. Alaska Airlines sets date for SFO lounge opening

Posted By Jon Nickel-D'Andrea on Feb 20, 2019 | 5 comments

Alaska Airlines has been trying to make the SFO airport a proper hub for them after their takeover of Virgin America, but the one thing they’ve been lacking is the presence of an airport lounge.

In late 2017, Alaska closed the Virgin lounge that was in the San Francisco airport and promised that something bigger and better was on its way. We just didn’t know when that would be.

Today, via the Alaska Airlines blog, Alaska announced designs, plans, and a date to launch the SFO lounge:

Every day, roughly 150,000 passengers pass through San Francisco International Airport. We have been hard at work designing a new space to serve our Bay Area guests with their every comfort in mind. Today, we’re excited to announce we’re building our first Alaska Lounge in SFO’s Terminal 2, scheduled to open in 2020.

Alaska Lounge Mock Up (from Alaska Airline’s Blog)

Rooftop Lounge

To make the space even more special, they’re working on building out am 8,500 square foot rooftop terrace. Assuming there is no rain and no fog, it looks like it’s gonna be a pretty amazing place to hang out.

From the Alaska Airlines Blog

From the Alaska Airlines Blog

Unique Amenities

Alaska’s always been the airline that tries to be a little bit different, so we’re not surprised to see that things are going to be slightly different here as well.

There’s going to be a fireplace to warm up on a cold morning or chilly evening. There’s also going to be a “hot beverage bar” where the concierges in the lounge will be trained to offer up something more than just a standard drip coffee:

Our Concierges are trained baristas and are ready to remedy your caffeine fix. Extra foam on your cappuccino? Another shot in your Americano? All are possible. Sit back and relax with your favorite espresso beverage or loose leaf tea.

They’re also going to focus on local micro-brews wines, and Hanger 1 vodka from California. If you’re looking for something more substantial to eat apart from the snacky bites, you can get a Egg and Brioche sandwich, Korean Rice Bowls, and more. Take them to go or eat them in the lounge, either works.

No word on the pricing yet, but depending on the cost it might be worth a try.

The Alaska Lounge offers our West Coast hospitality and a place to get away from the terminal. (PRNewsfoto/Alaska Airlines)

We included a fireplace to give more of a West Coast vibe, as well as some fun lighting fixtures and a custom sofa with power at every seat. (PRNewsfoto/Alaska Airlines)

With the top quality, complimentary food and beverage options, and the amazing view, guests will arrive to the plane refreshed and ready to go. (PRNewsfoto/Alaska Airlines)

I’m hoping that it’s going to look a lot like the JFK lounge that opened up earlier, and when the Seattle lounge opens up in June Alaska will finally have their lounge game on point!