San Francisco International Airport — San Francisco, United States
← Looking for a different airport? Search hereLooking for the San Francisco airport code? San Francisco International Airport's IATA code is SFO (ICAO: KSFO).
Distance & flight time from SFO
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport, built out on landfill along the edge of San Francisco Bay well south of the city itself, serves as United Airlines' largest hub and one of the principal gateways connecting the United States to East Asia and the Pacific Rim. Fog rolling in off the bay has historically caused some of the most persistent weather-related delays in American commercial aviation, a quirk of SFO's closely spaced parallel runways that air traffic planners have worked for years to mitigate through new procedures and infrastructure investment. The airport's Terminal 1, renamed in honor of gay rights leader Harvey Milk, reflects San Francisco's civic identity, while an on-site aviation museum and rotating art exhibitions give the terminals a distinctly cultural character uncommon among major airports. Silicon Valley's technology industry generates outsized business travel demand through SFO, reinforcing its role as one of the busiest and most economically significant airports on the West Coast.
Runways at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10L/28R | 11870 ft (3618 m) | 200 ft (61 m) | ASP |
| 10R/28L | 11381 ft (3469 m) | 200 ft (61 m) | ASP |
| 1L/19R | 7650 ft (2332 m) | 200 ft (61 m) | ASP |
| 1R/19L | 8660 ft (2640 m) | 200 ft (61 m) | ASP |
Radio frequencies for San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | NORCAL APP | 128.325 MHz |
| APP | NORCAL APP SECONDARY | 133.95 MHz |
| APP | NORCAL APP INITIAL CONTACT | 134.5 MHz |
| ATIS | ATIS | 113.7 MHz |
| AWOS | AWOS 1 | 118.05 MHz |
| CLD | CLNC DEL | 118.2 MHz |
| DEP | NORCAL DEP NW-EAST | 120.9 MHz |
| DEP | NORCAL DEP SE-WEST | 135.1 MHz |
| GND | GND | 121.8 MHz |
| MISC | USCG | 34.5 MHz |
| TWR | TWR | 120.5 MHz |
| UNIC | UNICOM | 122.95 MHz |
Airports near San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- San Carlos Airport (SQL) — 16.1 km (10.0 mi)
- Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) — 17.5 km (10.9 mi)
- Palo Alto Airport (PAO) — 28.9 km (18.0 mi)
- Moffett Federal Airfield (NUQ) — 36.6 km (22.7 mi)
- Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) — 48.6 km (30.2 mi)
- Buchanan Field (CCR) — 49.7 km (30.9 mi)
- Travis Air Force Base (SUU) — 81.6 km (50.7 mi)
- Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) — 104.5 km (64.9 mi)
On filled land in San Mateo County about 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco, SFO's closely spaced parallel runways make it especially sensitive to seasonal fog delays.
FAQ
What is the IATA code for San Francisco International Airport?
The IATA code for San Francisco International Airport is SFO.
What is the ICAO code for San Francisco International Airport?
The ICAO code for San Francisco International Airport is KSFO. IATA codes are 3 letters used for baggage tags and booking; ICAO codes are 4 letters used by air traffic control and pilots.