Frequent fliers who typically like to take advantage of cheap travel options, be they cheap airplane tickets or cheap vacation packages will be very pleased the next time they enter San Francisco International Airports stunning new Terminal 2 which opened Thursday, April 14th. This terminal will serve passengers flying on American and Virgin America flights.
At a cost of $383 million, this renovation is San Franciscos attempt to remain appealing to travelers who have the option of flying out of other nearby airports that are increasingly competitive and attracting new airline service.
Check in at the terminal is housed in a smooth wood paneled lobby a quick walk from the airport roadway and from security checkpoints. American has increased its number of automated check-in kiosks.
The new terminal many are calling T2 sports a recomposure zone with cushioned ottomans for passengers after they have passed through security checkpoints. Separate checkpoints have been set up for airline crews to make security checks run more smoothly.
The terminal has a lounge with over 350 outlets for those passengers looking to plug in a computer or other electronic device. Art exhibits are on display with cell phone accessible narrations. Children can enjoy a play station. Hydration stations have been set up where passengers are able to fill water bottles for free.
T2 is projected to handle over three million passengers during its first year of operation. This capacity is critical to Virgin America which today flies to 13 destinations from San Francisco but wants to increase that to two dozen destinations by 2015.
The new terminal was built on the footprint of the old terminal, using about 90 percent of the original building content. The airport believes that this will help with its environmentally friendly goal of having T2 become the first LEED Gold certified airport terminal in the U.S.
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