One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
OAK7.8+0.6
SFO7.2
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
OAK6.8
SFO7.3+0.5
Food & retail
Best for
OAK
Southwest-heavy itinerariesEast Bay/Oakland originsBART-connected city tripsQuick low-stress domestic departures
Watch out for
OAK
Only one Priority Pass lounge (closes early)Southwest peak crowds and limited gate seatingBART requires Coliseum transfer + higher airport connector fare
OAK · OAK delivers easy navigation and solid BART access with local food options but trades off limited lounges and aging facilities against SFO's scale.
SFO · United’s Bay Area hub with a genuine BART ride to downtown, airside walks between every terminal, and a strong lounge stack — undercut by T3 West construction through 2027, fog, and FAA arrival caps that still sit below the old 54/hour clear-weather rate after Runway 1R reopened on 29 Sep 2026.
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
OAK7.2
SFO7.6+0.4
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
OAK8.0
SFO8.4+0.4
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
OAK6.7
SFO6.7
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
OAK7.0
SFO7.8+0.8
SFO
United hub connections that stay airsideBART to downtown without a carPriority Pass at The Club SFOPreCheck / CLEAR when Checkpoint B PreCheck is on the mezzanine
Facilities feel dated pending modernization
SFO
T3 West: no T3 AirTrain until 2027; D/E check-in in T2; Centurion in T2United domestic vs international split (T3 E/F vs G)International A Priority Pass windows are much tighter than The ClubFog plus FAA staggered parallels still cut arrival capacity
Nursing rooms & pet relief
CLEAR + PreCheck
Build 90–120 minutes for Southwest banks
Peak pressure is early morning and late afternoon Southwest banks in Terminal 2. PreCheck and CLEAR help; the airside connector lets you pick the shorter checkpoint when you have time.
Walk airside between T1 and T2
You do not re-clear to change terminals after security. International arrivals process in Terminal 1; JSX uses a separate building on Earhart Road.
Use the T1–T2 connector for better food
Terminal 2 is Southwest-heavy and fills at banks. Walk to Terminal 1 for more variety or the Escape Lounge if your card or day pass covers it.
SFO
BART stationAirTrainThe Club SFOAirside refill stations#SFO FREE WIFI
Two hours domestic, three international
Fog, FAA arrival caps, and T3 construction still add buffer even when security is empty.
Confirm airline and gate, not just “United”
T3 West check-in is split — D/E ticket counters are in T2, F counters stay in T3 east.
Fill the bottle first, then eat airside
The Club in T1 is the reliable Priority Pass meal; T2 still has Compass Books and Napa Farms next to the temporary Centurion.
