San Francisco International Airport station
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | June 22, 2003 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco International Airport , United States |
| Products | Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) service |
| Website | www |
San Francisco International Airport station (abbreviated as SFO or SFIA) serves as a terminal for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, situated adjacent to Garage G within San Francisco International Airport. This elevated facility offers a direct connection to the airport’s AirTrain people mover, accessible at the Garage G/BART station.
The station began AirTrain operations in February 2003, followed by BART service commencement in June 2003. Since then, it has experienced multiple service modifications up through 2022. Presently, the station is served continuously by the line and by the line until 9 p.m.
Station layout
Positioned on the northwest side of the airport terminals, San Francisco International Airport station is an elevated structure measuring approximately wide and long. The western portion adjoins Garage G, while the eastern end links to the northern section of the International Terminal near gate G. Designed as a stub-end terminal, the BART platform level consists of three tracks arranged around two island platforms. To the west, an elevated wye and track crossovers enable trains arriving from either direction to access any of these tracks. Until about 2020, the central track remained unused for regular service, with its platform edges fenced off.
Above the western half of the BART station lies the AirTrain platform area, featuring one island platform serving two guideways and an additional side platform dedicated to the inner loop route. A pedestrian bridge above this level provides access to the parking garage. Faregates for BART are installed both within the AirTrain station and at the eastern connection point to the International Terminal’s departures level.
Wind Portal
The Wind Portal is an art installation created in 2003 by Sebastopol-based artist Ned Kahn, located at the cylindrical passageway linking the BART station with the AirTrain. Passengers move through this high opening with a radius of , utilizing escalators or stairs. The artwork comprises approximately 200,000 stainless steel disks individually suspended to respond dynamically to airflows generated by passing trains. Funded through a $1.5 million federal grant along with other contributions, it enriches travelers’ experience by producing shifting visual effects. Urban art critic John King of the San Francisco Chronicle praised it as "[m]esmerizing ... an ever-changing silver shimmer ... indefinable movements reacting to distant winds as well as the whoosh of trains," emphasizing its distinctive attraction for both commuters and visitors.
History
Plans for extending BART service to San Francisco International Airport date back to 1970, prior to the initial system launch. A concrete shell intended for a station was constructed in 1972 within what was then known as the North Terminal (currently Terminal 3), though it was later sealed off from use. Renewed planning efforts took place in the early 1990s amid political debates regarding station placement, with construction commencing in 1997. This extension was developed concurrently with expansions to the International Terminal and installation of the AirTrain system that links BART with other terminals. The San Francisco Airport Commission oversaw construction at a cost of $200 million; BART pays an annual rent of $2.5 million plus additional operational support fees.
The AirTrain began operations on February 24, 2003, followed by BART service initiation at SFIA station on June 22, 2003. Initially, service included both the Blue Line and a Purple Line shuttle connecting to Millbrae for Caltrain transfers; however, this shuttle was discontinued in February 2004. Subsequently, Yellow Line trains began serving SFIA and Millbrae during nights and weekends, while peak-hour Red Line trains also stopped at SFIA. Richmond line peak-hour service commenced in September 2004.
Early ridership fell approximately 50% short of forecasts, resulting in increased subsidies from SamTrans—the agency funding BART service within San Mateo County. To reduce expenses, BART curtailed service in September 2005 to only Blue Line trains serving SFIA and Millbrae. In February 2007, SamTrans transferred operational control and financial responsibility for the SFO/Millbrae extension to BART in exchange for fixed funding commitments.
Service frequency increased on January 1, 2008: SFIA became the Yellow Line terminus and direct SFIA-Millbrae service ended; partial restoration of direct connections during nights and weekends occurred in September 2009. Despite initially low patronage during its first decade, ridership steadily rose to reach a peak average of 6,788 weekday exits in fiscal year 2016.
On February 11, 2019, Purple Line shuttle operations resumed on weekdays and Sundays with convenient cross-platform transfers to Yellow Line trains at SFIA. By February 2020, Purple Line service was extended to operate continuously while Yellow Line terminated at SFIA. In October 2019, BART approved development of technology aimed at piloting priority airport security screening for public transit users.
Service between SFO and Millbrae ended on August 2, 2021; it was replaced by Red Line extensions reaching SFIA on weekdays and Saturdays and Yellow Line extensions serving Millbrae evenings and Sundays. Richmond line Sunday service launched on February 14, 2022, providing four trains per hour until 9 p.m. daily. In April 2022, reopening of the central track allowed more efficient platform assignments: Millbrae-bound trains utilize this middle track while northbound trains use the northernmost track. Upgrades including second-generation fare gates were installed from October 11–26, 2024.
Beginning January 13, 2025, a shuttle train operates between SFO and Millbrae from 9 p.m. until midnight during installation of Communications Based Train Control equipment near Millbrae station. This shuttle is designated as part of the Yellow Line and offers timed cross-platform transfers at SFIA.
External links
- BART: San Francisco International Airport Station
- San Francisco International Airport: Public Transportation Options
- Articles with short description
- Bay Area Rapid Transit stations located in San Mateo County, California
- Yellow Line (BART) stations
- Red Line (BART) stations
- San Francisco International Airport
- Airport train stations within the United States
- United States railway stations inaugurated in 2003
- 2003 establishments in California
- Stations on the Yellow Line (BART)