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Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge at San Francisco (SFO) 11-17-2019

by Steve Case
Last updated November 24, 2019

On arrival at San Francisco International Airport on Alaska Airlines, I was able to use the Cathay Pacific Lounge in the south International Terminal.

a close-up of a sign
Cathay Pacific Lounge – International Terminal at SFO.

Alaska Airlines is building a new 8,500 square foot, rooftop lounge at Terminal 2.  This lounge should open sometime in 2020.  During construction, Alaska Lounge members are able to use the Cathay Pacific Lounge.

a group of people in a waiting room
New Alaska Airlines Terminal 2 lounge opening in 2020.

To visit this lounge from the Alaska gates, you will have to leave Terminal 2 and take the Airtrain to the International Terminal on the south side.  After you clear TSA screening at the International Terminal, turn left and take the elevator to the fourth floor.  The Cathay Pacific Lounge also hosts the lounge for Korean Airlines.

a marble counter with flowers and cards on it
The Lounge reception desk.

The Seating

The lounge is large and has three sections – north, center and south.  The center seating features tables and bar-style seating.  The computer workstations are also located in the center section.  There are more comfortable seating in the north and south sections and the south seating appears to have been refurbished with updated seating.

a group of people sitting in chairs in a lounge
North seating.
a woman sitting in a lounge area
North area seating.
a group of people sitting in chairs
Alcove seating in the north section.
a group of people sitting at tables
Center section seating.
a room with a large white table and wooden benches
Bar-style seating in the center section.
a room with computers and chairs
There are six computer workstations.
a room with a reception desk and chairs
South seating.
a group of chairs in a room
Space-age seat with power ports in the south section.

Power Ports

This is something that I found interesting.  There is 110 VAC power in the north and south seating.  I didn’t see any power in the center seating areas.  There are both 110 VAC and USB port ports in the seating in the south area.  This area appears to be refurbished.  There are no USB ports in the north seating.

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a close-up of a power outlet
North seating with only 110 VAC power.
a close-up of a plug
South seating 110 VAC and USB power ports.

It seems to me that the north seating power outlets could easily be converted to dual 110 VAC and USB power outlets.

Food and Beverage Service

The lounge does have an ample selection of hot, cold, snack and fruit items.  The hot selections feature Asian style noodles and accompaniments.  The cold items include a tasty selection of sandwiches, cold cuts, salad makings, fruit, snacks and bakery items.  There is an onsite kitchen that prepares hot food items.

For beverage service, there is a wide selection of wines, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, juices and a coffee bar.

a buffet line with food on it
Food selections.
a row of plates of food
Hot food.
a buffet table with different food items
Cold food and sandwiches.
baskets of chips and apples on a counter
Fruit and snacks.
a buffet with different foods
Salad bar.
a row of pastries on plates
Bakery items.
a woman standing in a kitchen
Cathay Pacific kitchen.
a plate of food and a glass of wine
A very tasty turkey and cheese sandwich and a glass of Pinot Gris. Many lounge sandwiches are dried out, not these.
a plate of food and a glass of wine
Noodles, beef and veggies.
a sink full of bottles of alcohol and drinks
Wine selection including a nice 2017 Villa Russiz Pinot Grigio from Italy.
a group of bottles of alcohol
Alcohol selection.
a group of bottles of liquor
Alcohol selection.
a group of bottles of alcohol
Alcohol selection.
a shelf with wine glasses and a sign
Proper glassware for any beverage.
a coffee machine and a sink
Coffee service.
a refrigerator with drinks in it
Cold beer and soft drinks.

Facilities and Showers

The lounge seems to have an adequate number of restrooms and shower rooms located at the north and south ends of the lounge.  If you want to use a shower room, you will need to see the concierge for a shower room key.  The facilities were clean and well maintained.

a bathroom with a white sink and two mirrors
Restroom vanity area.
a bathroom with a sign and a door
North restrooms and shower rooms.
a bathroom with a sink and toilet
Shower room #1.
a shower with a toilet and a sink
Shower room #1.
a towel with a razor and toothpaste
Shower room #1.

Overall Impressions

We were there mid-day on Sunday and we found the lounge to be barely occupied.  The staff was friendly and attentive during check-in.  The food and beverage service featured a good selection of food and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.  The food staff constantly checks to make sure that food and beverages are stocked.  Cathay Pacific staff maintain clean and stocked restrooms and showers.  The only improvement that I could see would be the installation of USB power ports in the north and center sections of the lounge.

This lounge experience was quite an upgrade from the Alaska Lounge experience.  I look forward to checking out the new Alaska Airlines Lounge at the Terminal 2 rooftop when it opens.

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About Steve Case

Steve is a life-long avgeek and a points and miles player. The photo is from my first premium, international award flight in 2012. That is all it took, I was hooked. I used my airline mile and hotel points to travel well and cheap. I am truly an "out-of-the-box" traveler which has enriched my travel experiences.

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