San Francisco International Airport (SFO) travelers can expect reduced delays and smoother operations, with the airport’s taxiway improvement project completed ahead of schedule and runway 28L now open again.
SFO Runway 28L Opens Ahead Of Schedule After Completion Of Taxiway Project
Earlier this year, SFO launched the project to realign two taxiways, “Delta” and “Tango”, with the aim of making it easier and safer for aircraft to exit runways 28 Left and 28 Right after landing. Construction crews removed the existing taxiways and rebuilt the two taxiways as separate, non-intersecting taxiways. The new configuration not only improves safety but brings the layout of the taxiways up to the latest federal standards.
On January 18, 2024, SFO closed Runway 28 Left as part of the project. The construction timeline was padded (much like many flight schedules) for unforeseen circumstances and weather conditions, but went smoothly and as of June 21, 2024 is now complete.
Per SFO, the project accomplished the following:
- Paved new taxiways equivalent to 15 football fields
- Built an underground jet fuel facility the size of a two-car garage
- Laid over 11 miles of electrical cabling
- Used more than 700 gallons of paint for taxiway markings
- Coordinated more than 1,400 truck deliveries for asphalt
The project was federally funded and cost about $60 million.
Good News For SFO Travelers
This is very good news for travelers via SFO. I’ve largely avoided flying via SFO for the last few months and the couple of trips I did via SFO faced delays (remember by miracle connection on the way to Tahiti?).
During the construction, with 28L closed, planes had to be spaced out, requiring “flow control programs” that delayed flights. Often, the flights that were “sacrificed” for longer delays were shorter flights on regional jets.
With 28L now reopened, there should be fewer delays and cancellations, which will certainly help United Airlines, which operates a mega-hub from SFO.
CONCLUSION
SFO wrapped up its runway improvement project ahead of schedule and normal runway operations have resumed. That’s a big deal for travelers with the bottom line being you no longer need to avoid SFO.
The were “scarficed” huh? That sounds unpleasant.
@Matthew can you confirm the rumor that all terminals at SFO are connected airside now?
I don’t think T1 is connected yet. T2, T3, internaitonal are all connected.
They are still not. Hopefully one day. T1 and International A are connected. T2, T3, and International G are connected.
Ugh I was really hoping the B and C connector would be done too – that sucks for Alaska passengers now flying out of the B gates with their lounge at the D gates
Alaska lounge in B gates will open summer 2024. In the meantime the connector from D all the way to B is now open, which was a prerequisite for Alaska’s move.
With this week’s opening of the final section of T1, all terminals are now connected airside.
You’re right!
Good news.
https://www.flysfo.com/about/media/press-releases/sfo-opens-final-phase-harvey-milk-terminal-1
That means I can access Chase Sapphire Lounge, hurrah
Good news: New runway is open!
Bad news” Very likely you’re still flying UA 🙁
@Jan
Truly must suck for them to be able to fly in Polaris to Australia
I’m sure they are really torn up about it. Idiot!
Truly must suck to pay $2500 one-way only to be served microwaved Banquet TV dinner!
Truly must suck for the 200 other pax to be in an old, average pitch, 3-4-3-seating 777!
“Idiot!”
(Also, you don’t have to ride Scott Kirby’s dick so hard, my post was just a jab at a billion dollar corporation. It’s not that serious.)
So what you are saying is you are cheap. That is fine, it was $100 Uber downtown to SFO airport so I don’t think $2300 to Australia seems unreasonable. Also as far as food if you think any US airline serves food on the plane as good as you can get in the newer terminal you clearly do not fly often. Spend some money you can’t take it with you.
Still, the runway design at SFO is not the best with crossing runways. And in bad weather, they don’t use both of the parallel runways. So its either 28 L or 28R. But what do I know, I’m just a to-be flight simulator guy.
Unless they build further into the Bay, which isn’t going to hap0en, it is what it is. The current configuration is well used and the primary issue is actually terrain off the end of the 1s and prevents a smoother operation in windy conditions.
If you fly Delta you still have to check in at T2 and go thru security…then make a right and go down a very long hallway to get to the Sky CLub and C gates 2-?9.. C1 is now next door in T1?? Not sure you can connect from T1-2 to T3 to get to the centurion lounge…still It seems it has taken forever to get the Terminals connected….