San Francisco Transit

[MikedOut]

Hi Everyone,

Thought I'd tap into your experience regarding transit times at SFO. I'm heading to to Lake Tahoe in Feb and am booked on an AA flight into SFO (from HNL) that's scheduled to arrive at 20:30. I need to change airline to United which departs at 22:34. In your experience is that enogh time to collect my bags and get checked in or should I o'night in San Fran. Appreciate any views/help.

MikedOut

 

[dajop]

Do you need to collect your bags? AA & UA interline bags, I did this last year when transferring at Chicago. When I checked in at STL (on AA) I just presented both reservations and they did the rest. I'd like to say all went smoothly, and it did in theory, as when I boarded the regional jet at ORD for my onward flight on UA, I saw my bag .... get placed beside they conveyor belt where luggage was being loaded onto the flight (.. it did not make it due to weight restrictions, and was supposed to be forwarded later... but that's another story).

If you can do this interlining, transfer is easy as you can do an airside transit between the AA & UA terminals at SFO, so no need to exit and come back through security.

 

[Batesy]

As both of your flights are domestic you should be fine. If you can interline your baggage it will be even easier. If you can't you should still have enough time to collect and check your bags again. It depends a lot on your intial flight from HNL being on time. There is no airport hotel so its to one of the nearby ones or into the city. Try "The Mosser" heart of the CBD and great rates.

 

[Maca44]

If your incoming flight is on time you should be okay. I think AA use Terminal 3 and United use Terminal 4, but take the Airtrain which will get between any of the terminals quickly. I don't know if AA interlines luggage with United but dajop did this last year so it must happen, and if your first flight is delayed I don't know what United position is. (Also, enjoy the skiing at Heavenly).

 

[dajop]

If your incoming flight is on time you should be okay. I think AA use Terminal 3 and United use Terminal 4, but take the Airtrain which will get between any of the terminals quickly.

You had me double check www.flysfo.com , as I thought they were both in the same terminal. Indeed, AA & UA use different piers of Terminal 3. Airside transit (a short walk) is a quickest, but if you have to collect luggage it is still only a short walk between the two parts of the terminal.

 

[MikedOut]

Thanks very much guys, appreciate the comments. I think I'll take the punt and go with the connection. (The sooner I get to the snow the better!!)