5/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“Terminal areas are spacious, boarding processes are smooth, and travelers can enjoy great facilities while waiting for their flights.”
TOURLUK OTA5★ on Google
Airports / California / SFO
Large airport · SFO
San Francisco International Airport.
San Francisco, California · 13 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.3/5
Google rating
37,565 ratings
0
Operators based
13
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
San Francisco, CaliforniaELEV 13 FTLarge airportScheduled service
4.3
Google rating
37,565
Google reviews
ratings on Google
1
FBOs on field
ramp, fuel and handling
13
Field elevation
feet above sea level
9
Nearest alternate
nm to SQL
Field standing
9 nm
To the nearest alternate
San Carlos Airport (SQL), 6 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
San Francisco International Airport, listed as KSFO / SFO, is a large commercial airport in San Francisco, California. The field lies at an elevation of 13 feet. The airport supports scheduled airline service as well as private jet and charter movements.
SFO has no resident charter fleet; trips here are typically flown by operators repositioning from surrounding airports. Useful alternates include San Carlos Airport (SQL, 9 nm), San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK, 9 nm), and Palo Alto Airport (PAO, 16 nm). SFO offers 4 runways, the longest 11,870-foot paved runway, which supports charter types through the VIP airliner class.
For arrival logistics and seasonal timing, see the San Francisco, CA destination guide. The airport is also known as QSF and QBA. Use the cost estimator to model a trip from SFO, or browse verified operators serving the area.
1 FBO serves KSFO. Run one? Become the preferred FBO
Ramp services
FBOs on the field
Signature Flight Support San Francisco
Your FBO? Claim it, freeWhen it comes to doing business in Northern California, Signature-San Francisco at San Francisco International Airport is there for you. San Francisco boasts a robust business climate coupled with a diverse cultural background. This cosmopolitan city offers unique attractions, cutting edge culture, and World Class Museums and attractions.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- 24/7
- Unicom 128.92
- Executive lounge
- Customs
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Cafe
- Vending
- Courtesy car
- Shuttle
- +26 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Directory data, unpaid. FBOs can take the Preferred slot above.
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
4/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“San Francisco International Airport is one of the most convenient gateways for international travel on the U.S.”
TOURLUK OTA5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for San Francisco International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
KSFO
IATA
SFO
FAA / Local
SFO
Elevation
13 ft
Coordinates
37.6198° N · 122.3748° W
Airspace
B · BravoClass B, BravoThe FAA's busiest airspace tier, major hubs like LAX or JFK. Every flight needs an explicit ATC clearance to enter, and charter jets are sequenced alongside airline traffic.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs CA fields
state range -210–7,135 ft
At 13 ft, SFO sits lower than 90% of the 164 California fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
4 runways
longest 11,870 ft
- 10L/28R11,870 ft × 200 ftAsphaltLighted
- 10R/28L11,381 ft × 200 ftAsphaltLighted
- 1R/19L8,660 ft × 200 ftAsphaltLighted
- 1L/19R7,650 ft × 200 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 11,870 ft
SFO's 11,870 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 9nmSQLSan Carlos AirportSan Carlos
- 9nmOAKSan Francisco Bay Oakland International AirportOakland
- 16nmPAOPalo Alto AirportPalo Alto
- 20nmNUQMoffett Federal AirfieldMountain View
- 26nmSJCNorman Y. Mineta San Jose International AirportSan Jose
- 27nmCCRBuchanan FieldConcord
Destinations served
Location
Open the full mapKSFO · San Francisco International Airport · San Francisco, CA
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from SFO on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (VNY) | 279 nm | 1h 3m |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 359 nm | 1h 14m |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | 519 nm | 1h 36m |
| Scottsdale (SCF) | 564 nm | 1h 43m |
| Seattle (SEA) | 590 nm | 1h 46m |
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 640 nm | 1h 53m |
| Vail / Eagle (EGE) | 734 nm | 2h 6m |
| Aspen (ASE) | 735 nm | 2h 7m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use SFO?
- San Francisco International Airport's longest paved runway is 11,870 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at SFO?
- San Francisco International Airport has 4 runways; the longest measures 11,870 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Which FBOs are at San Francisco International Airport?
- One FBO serves SFO: Signature Flight Support San Francisco. Phone, website, hours, unicom and services for each are listed on this page. Call ahead for fuel, ramp space, and ground handling.
- What is the nearest major airport to SFO?
- The closest alternate is San Carlos Airport (SQL), about 9 nm away, followed by San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK) at 9 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from SFO to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Los Angeles about 1h 3m (279 nm), Las Vegas about 1h 14m (359 nm), Salt Lake City about 1h 36m (519 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.