San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1
With the current demolition of San Francisco International's historic Terminal 1 commencing, this article explores the rich history of the Terminal and its piers, from an aviation historian's perspective.
The postwar explosion of traffic necessitated the construction of larger Terminal buildings across the United States, and San Francisco International Airport was no exception. The 1937 Administration building was expanded in the postwar years, with the addition of two perpendicular piers around the year 1949.
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But even then, this addition was insufficient. By then it was more than obvious that the airport required a new and larger terminal, for the airport was already experiencing traffic levels of over two million annually. The new terminal, named the Central Terminal, opened in August, 1954, to grand celebrations and much praise.
Traffic continued to rise at SFO, and once again, a new terminal would be needed. The result, of 1963, was the South Terminal, which consisted of a half semicircle and three piers. (The top pier, named Pier E, was an earlier addition.)
Traffic continued to rise at SFO, and once again, a new terminal would be needed. The result, of 1963, was the South Terminal, which consisted of a half semicircle and three piers. (The top pier, named Pier E, was an earlier addition.)
By the Mid 60s, the following airlines used the South Terminal:
Pier E: American Airlines
Pier F: TWA (Northern side and satellite), Western Airlines (Southern side)
Pier G: Pan American and International Carriers
Pier E: American Airlines
Pier F: TWA (Northern side and satellite), Western Airlines (Southern side)
Pier G: Pan American and International Carriers
The advent of the Boeing 747 necessitated the addition of special gates dedicated specifically for the immense size of the aircraft. American added two 747 gates at the end of Pier E, while TWA raised the ceiling of their satellite end:
September 2016: Interim Boarding Area B opens with 9 gates
December 2018: New Boarding Area B opens with 9 gates
June 2019: New Boarding Area expands to 17 gates
September 2020: New Boarding Area B reaches full capacity of 24 gates
Mid-2024: Terminal 1 Center, refreshed Boarding Area C complete
http://blog.sfgate.com/cmcginnis/2016/06/29/sfos-new-2-5-billion-terminal/
December 2018: New Boarding Area B opens with 9 gates
June 2019: New Boarding Area expands to 17 gates
September 2020: New Boarding Area B reaches full capacity of 24 gates
Mid-2024: Terminal 1 Center, refreshed Boarding Area C complete
http://blog.sfgate.com/cmcginnis/2016/06/29/sfos-new-2-5-billion-terminal/