British Airways reopens San Francisco lounge
British Airways investment in premium cabins is paying off for passengers on the West coast of the USA, with the reopening of the new San Francisco British Airways Lounge.
The 146-seat, 7,100 square-foot, British Airways SFO Lounge is back open, and it's been refreshed in British Airway's latest design scheme. In general the lounge looks so much nicer than the old one. Gone is the old tired Terraces furniture, to be replaced with a much more contemporary and modern feel.
The lounge is located in the same spot it has always been in Concourse A, between gates A4 and A6. However, much of the reception area, which was previously like a dentists waiting room, has been completely revamped in a dark blue colour, and then you go downstairs in the lift or stairs to a large open space with floor-to-ceiling windows with amazing views of the apron, the new San Francisco Grand Hyatt Hotel, and the mountains above San Mateo County.
The main part of the lounge is one large room, but with different types of seating, with two separate hot and cold refectory areas including seasonal food, plus one of the best dessert selections of any lounge, including brownie bites, berry smoothies, and a blackberry yogurt parfait. There is a huge array of cheeses, including Sonoma County Goat Cheese, and Roseville Shaft Blue Cheese.
In the centre of the lounge is the large signature granite bar stocked with local Californian wine, beer, and soft drinks.
There are no longer separate areas for first class and Club World (business class) travellers. However, British Airways has added pre-flight dining for first class passengers with a "Boutique Dining" concept in a small private dining room with 26 velvet or leather seats.
You can order off a menu for an a la carte restaurant dining experience. The menu comes with wine pairings. This is only for those with a First Class ticket - oneworld Emerald members have no access to the dining room.
British Airways promotes the new San Francisco lounge with:
- Beautifully crafted granite feature bar stocked with a tempting display of branded spirits, beers and soft drinks together with a selection of fine wines from around the world.
- Main lounge offers tasty, wholesome hot and cold options including fresh seasonal salads, build your own pasta bowl, a selection of local Sonoma County cheeses and sweet treats.
- Boutique Dining exclusively for guests travelling in First offers a pre-flight 'a la carte' menu carefully curated by our in-house chef. Guests can choose from freshly prepared seasonal soups, locally sourced artisan cheese and charcuterie. Entrees include mezze plates, seafood cioppino or heirloom tomato and ricotta rigatoni. Guests can finish with an indulgent dessert, all complemented by wine pairings from our extensive wine list.
- Office area with wireless printing.
- A minimum of 80% of seating with access to power.
- PA and music system with zoned areas and bespoke playlist.
- Ross Hunter from UK-based interior design agency Graven Images, was responsible for the scheme design for the lounge interiors.
- Jonathan Tsurui from SF-based architects WDA William Duff Associates, was responsible for the architectural design.
- Featured artists in the lounge include: Bill Jacobsen, Doug Hall, Katherine Sherwood, and Ruth Root.
Many of the seats in the lounge overlook the great view, and most have easy access to USB or 120v power, including a bench at the window. Many seats also have space for bags under the side tables.
There is also a large work area, with a central table and workbenches around the walls.
Alas showers that used to be in the lounge have been removed because they were rarely used.
There is access for:
- British Airways passengers booked into First or Club World (business class).
- Silver or Gold members in BA's frequent flyer program, Executive Club. (Cardholders may bring one guest into the lounge).
- Iberia passengers booked into business class.
- OneWorld members who are either Emerald or Sapphire AND are flying on a OneWorld member airline from International Terminal A.
The British Airways San Francisco lounge hours of opening are 1300 to 1915.
British Airways next plans to renovate its lounges in Geneva and Johannesburg.
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