Boarding Area E at San Francisco International Airport to Reopen

United Airlines and its partners at San Francisco International Airport are preparing to open the newly renovated Boarding Area E in Terminal 3, which will provide United customer with flyer-friendly conveniences aimed at enhancing the overall travel experience.

Scheduled to re-open 28 January 2014, the 68,800-square-foot boarding area, which has been designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, will offer 10 gates for United customers and will be able to accommodate more than 50 departures each day.

Boarding Area E will offer an up-close view of the airfield and the Bay Area from a 23-foot-high window wall. Customers will be able to enjoy several other amenities, including:

• The “Flight Deck” – an interactive information and entertainment area for guests to enjoy and explore
• Comfortable seating options that include the iconic Fritz Hansen “egg” chairs and swivel lounge chairs
• Dining and concession options from Bay Area vendors, such as Klein’s Deli
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Nine state-of-the-art work stations and access to more than 375 power outlets
• A yoga room
• An interactive kids’ play area designed by Bay Area artist Eric Staller

“We’re pleased to work with San Francisco International Airport on the redesign of Boarding Area E, which is focused on our customers and the things they’ve told us are important,” said Kate Gebo, United’s vice president of corporate real estate. “United continues to modernize our terminal facilities, United Club lounges and gate areas, to offer customers a simpler, friendlier airport experience.”

United is making other investments in Terminal 3, including a new reception area for the airline’s Global Services customers and a new check-in area for MileagePlus Premier customers, both scheduled to open in September. Also:

• United recently began construction of a new Station Operations Center, from which the airline manages its departures, arrivals and customer service at the airport. The center is scheduled to open in April.

• United anticipates moving its existing Terminal 1 Boarding Area B operations to Terminal 3 by mid-May, simplifying connections for customers.

• A new United Club is scheduled to open during the summer of 2015.

Mike Hanna

Additionally, United has appointed Mike Hanna, the airline’s managing director of San Francisco operations and customer service, to the position of vice president, underscoring the importance of the San Francisco hub.

Since Hanna assumed leadership of the hub in May 2012, United’s operational performance has improved significantly, with baggage-handling reliability up 25% in 2013 versus 2012, and “controllable delays” – those not attributed, for example, to inclement weather – down nearly 50% for mainline flights and more than 40% for regional flights. Satisfaction among San Francisco customers, as measured from post-travel surveys, has increased six-fold since mid-2012.