Airports / California / SFO
San Francisco International Airport
KSFO / SFOSan Francisco, CaliforniaELEV 13 FT
Google rating
Google reviews
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
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).
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.
What fliers highlight
Terminal & facilities
5/5 reviews“Security and terminal navigation were straightforward, and the signage made it easy to move around without confusion.”
Subhajit Bag5★ on Google
Easy in & out
4/5 reviews“San Francisco International Airport is one of the smoothest airport experiences I’ve had in the US so far.”
Subhajit Bag5★ on Google
Staff & service
3/5 reviews“Staff interactions were generally professional and helpful.”
Subhajit Bag5★ 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 89% of the 156 California fields on the register.
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
From the ramp
Google Places photography of San Francisco International Airport — tap any frame to view full-screen, then cycle with the arrows or your keyboard.