San Francisco Airport Lounges
San Francisco International Airport · San Francisco, United States of America
San Francisco International (SFO) spreads its 12 lounges across four terminals. The International Terminal holds the biggest cluster, including DragonPass and Priority Pass contract lounges and the airline lounges for Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Air France and Emirates. United and Amex Centurion anchor Terminal 3, Delta sits in Terminal 1, and Air Canada has a Maple Leaf Lounge in Terminal 2.
Content updated June 23, 2026
In a hurry? Skip the research.
Three bookable lounges at SFO, picked fresh each day — or browse the full directory below.
Sourced, never sponsored.
This guide is compiled from airline, alliance and lounge-operator sources plus published access rules from Priority Pass and DragonPass — we haven't independently visited every San Francisco International Airport lounge yet. Nothing here is a paid placement, and the guide is updated as lounges open, close, renovate or change access policies. Read more about how we verify lounge data.
Last updated June 23, 2026
Where we'd actually go.
Golden Gate Lounge
The Golden Gate Lounge in International Terminal A is the most flexible way in at SFO — it takes both DragonPass and Priority Pass, sits airside just past the TSA checkpoint, and doesn't need airline status. The default pick if you carry a lounge membership rather than a premium ticket.
Cathay Pacific Lounge
The Cathay Pacific Lounge in International Terminal A is the standout branded experience at SFO, with cooked-to-order dishes and a full bar for Cathay and oneworld premium passengers. A clear step up from the contract lounges if your ticket or status gets you in.
The Centurion Lounge
The Centurion Lounge, expanded in late 2022 to nearly double its old size, is the SFO option for American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders, with a hot and cold buffet, full bar and dedicated workspaces. The strongest card-access lounge at the airport.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in International Terminal A is reachable on Priority Pass and pairs a full-service restaurant and bar with showers and tarmac views. A genuinely premium independent option when you want more than a self-service buffet.
Every lounge. 6 bookable right now.
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge sits airside in San Francisco's Terminal 2, on Level 4 in sector 4 after passport control and security. It's a quiet, modern space with warm wood accents,…
The China Airlines Dynasty Lounge sits airside in San Francisco's International Terminal A, in Concourse A on Level 4. It's reachable on DragonPass and offers a straightforward, no-frills…
The Golden Gate Lounge sits airside in San Francisco's International Terminal A, the first left after the TSA checkpoint in Concourse A. It's the most flexible contract lounge at SFO,…
The Emirates Lounge at San Francisco serves Emirates' own premium passengers ahead of the airline's long-haul departure. It's in the International Terminal, airside, and welcomes Emirates…
USO Center
★4.4The USO Center at San Francisco welcomes U.S. Armed Forces active duty, Reserve and Guard service members and their families. It's a military hospitality space run by the USO rather than a…
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse sits airside in San Francisco's International Terminal A — Concourse A, up the lift to Level 5 after security. Reachable on Priority Pass, it's the most…
The Air France Lounge at San Francisco serves the airline's premium and SkyTeam passengers ahead of the transatlantic service to Paris. It's in the International Terminal, airside, and…
The British Airways Lounge at San Francisco serves BA and oneworld premium passengers ahead of the airline's transatlantic service. It's in the International Terminal, airside, and welcomes…
The Cathay Pacific Lounge sits airside in San Francisco's International Terminal A, immediately to the left after security on the upper level, in the zone dedicated to airline lounges. It…
Delta Sky Club
★4.1The Delta Sky Club at San Francisco is Delta's home lounge at the airport, in Terminal 1 (Harvey Milk), airside after security. Opened in September 2015 to replace the airline's older…
The Centurion Lounge at San Francisco is the airport's flagship credit-card lounge, open to American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders. It's in Terminal 3, airside after security.…
United Club
★3.3The United Club by the Concourse F rotunda is United's central club at San Francisco's Terminal 3, ideally placed for passengers departing from gates F1–F22. It serves United premium-cabin…
San Francisco International Airport lounges by terminal.
International Terminal
The International Terminal holds the largest share of SFO's lounges. Concourse A is where the contract lounges sit — the Golden Gate Lounge (DragonPass and Priority Pass), the China Airlines Dynasty Lounge (DragonPass) and the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (Priority Pass) — alongside airline lounges for Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Air France and Emirates serving their premium-cabin and status passengers. The USO Center, for U.S. military service members and their families, is also based in the International Terminal.
- —SFO's densest lounge cluster, mostly in Concourse A airside
- —Golden Gate Lounge takes both DragonPass and Priority Pass
- —Airline lounges here cover oneworld, SkyTeam and Emirates premium flyers
- —The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is reachable on Priority Pass
Terminal 1 (Harvey Milk)
Terminal 1, named for Harvey Milk, is Delta's main SFO home. The Delta Sky Club here serves Delta and SkyTeam premium passengers and eligible status holders, with a hot and cold buffet, soups and a bar. It replaced Delta's older landside lounge and sits airside after security.
- —Delta's Sky Club is the lounge here, airside after security
- —Open to SkyTeam Elite Plus and Delta premium-cabin passengers
- —Hot and cold buffet, soups and a bar, with some premium drinks for sale
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is a smaller domestic terminal at SFO. Its lounge is the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, an airside space on Level 4 with runway views, a hot buffet, a bar and shower facilities. It's reachable on DragonPass, with a typical maximum stay of around three hours.
- —Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is the Terminal 2 option, airside on Level 4
- —DragonPass members can get in; runway views and showers on site
- —Hot buffet and a bar, with a maximum stay of around three hours
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is United's primary SFO base and also home to the airport's Centurion Lounge. The United Club by the Concourse F rotunda serves Star Alliance Gold and United premium passengers, while The Centurion Lounge — expanded in late 2022 — covers American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders. Both sit airside after security.
- —United Club by the Concourse F rotunda for Star Alliance and United flyers
- —The Centurion Lounge here is the Amex Platinum and Centurion option
- —Both lounges are airside, after the Terminal 3 security checkpoint
How to get into lounges at SFO.
SFO's lounges split into three access routes. A DragonPass or Priority Pass membership opens the independent contract lounges, mostly in the International Terminal's Concourse A. Airline and alliance status (oneworld, SkyTeam, Star Alliance) reaches the branded carrier lounges. American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders have the Centurion Lounge in Terminal 3. Because SFO's terminals don't all connect airside, check which terminal your lounge is in before you clear security.
Priority Pass
Priority Pass is accepted at the Golden Gate Lounge and the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in International Terminal A. Coverage is narrower than at some airports, so confirm your specific lounge and terminal before you travel.
Priority PassDragonPass
DragonPass opens the Golden Gate Lounge and the China Airlines Dynasty Lounge in International Terminal A, plus the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in Terminal 2. It covers the widest set of contract lounges at SFO.
DragonPassAirline & alliance lounges
Cathay Pacific and British Airways run oneworld lounges, Air France and Delta cover SkyTeam, and United operates its United Club for Star Alliance. Access follows your premium-cabin ticket or frequent-flyer tier (oneworld Sapphire, SkyTeam Elite Plus or Star Alliance Gold).
oneworld
SkyTeam
Star AllianceAmerican Express
American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders get into The Centurion Lounge in Terminal 3. Check current Amex terms and guest rules before relying on this at the door.
American ExpressBusiness & First class ticket
A business- or first-class ticket on Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Air France, Delta, United, Emirates or Air Canada gets you into that airline's SFO lounge directly — the simplest route if you're flying premium, with no membership needed.
Cathay Pacific
British Airways
Air France
Delta
United
EmiratesUSO Center (military)
The USO Center in the International Terminal is a hospitality space for U.S. Armed Forces active duty, Reserve and Guard service members and their families. It is not a general-access airport lounge — eligibility is limited to the military community.
Know before you go.
Match the lounge to your terminal
- —SFO has four terminals plus the International Terminal — pick a lounge in the one you're flying from before clearing security.
- —Most contract and airline lounges are in the International Terminal's Concourse A; United and Amex Centurion are in Terminal 3.
- —Delta departures use Terminal 1, and Air Canada's lounge is in Terminal 2 — match your lounge to your airline.
Which membership opens what
- —DragonPass covers the widest set of contract lounges at SFO, including the Golden Gate, China Airlines and Air Canada lounges.
- —Priority Pass works at the Golden Gate Lounge and the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse — both in International Terminal A.
- —If you carry an Amex Platinum or Centurion card, the Centurion Lounge in Terminal 3 is your route in.
Timing & crowds
- —SFO's international banks fill the Concourse A lounges in the late morning and evening — arrive early if you want a seat.
- —Many contract lounges cap your stay at around three hours, so time your visit close to boarding.
- —United's Terminal 3 clubs and the Centurion Lounge get busy around the domestic departure peaks.
Getting more from your visit
- —The Cathay Pacific Lounge offers cooked-to-order dishes, a clear step up from the self-service contract lounges if your ticket gets you in.
- —The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse pairs a full-service restaurant with showers — handy before a long-haul flight.
- —The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in Terminal 2 has runway views and showers, reachable on DragonPass.
Frequently asked, frequently answered.
We track 12 lounges at San Francisco International (SFO), spread across four terminals. The International Terminal holds the biggest cluster, with United and Amex Centurion in Terminal 3, Delta in Terminal 1 and Air Canada in Terminal 2.
Yes. Priority Pass is accepted at the Golden Gate Lounge and the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, both in International Terminal A. DragonPass covers a wider set of SFO contract lounges, so if you hold both, DragonPass opens more doors.
Yes. DragonPass opens the Golden Gate Lounge and the China Airlines Dynasty Lounge in International Terminal A, plus the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in Terminal 2. It's the most useful single membership for the contract lounges at SFO.
For flexible access on a membership, the Golden Gate Lounge takes both DragonPass and Priority Pass. If your ticket or status gets you in, the Cathay Pacific Lounge in International Terminal A is the standout airline lounge, and the Centurion Lounge is the best Amex card-access option.
Yes. The Centurion Lounge is in Terminal 3 and was expanded in late 2022 to nearly double its previous size, adding a second dining and bar area and new workspaces. It's open to American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders.
Most sit airside in Concourse A. The Golden Gate Lounge, China Airlines Dynasty Lounge and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse are the contract and independent options, alongside airline lounges for Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Air France and Emirates.
Yes. United's main SFO base is Terminal 3, and its United Club by the Concourse F rotunda serves United premium-cabin passengers and Star Alliance Gold status holders. It sits airside after the Terminal 3 security checkpoint.
Yes. A DragonPass or Priority Pass membership opens the contract lounges in the International Terminal and the Air Canada lounge in Terminal 2, and an American Express Platinum or Centurion card covers the Centurion Lounge in Terminal 3 — none of which require airline status.