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.
SFO7.2
SJC8.4+1.2
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
SFO7.3
SJC7.3
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
SFO7.6+0.7
SJC6.9
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
SFO8.4+0.2
SJC8.2
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
SFO6.7
SJC7.8+1.1
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
SFO7.8+0.7
SJC7.1
Best for
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
SJC
Quick domestic hops and Silicon Valley business tripsTravelers who value free transit connections and fast Wi-FiPriority Pass holders seeking a quiet loungeFamilies and light-luggage passengers who hate mega-hub chaos
Watch out for
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
SJC
Only two Priority Pass lounges, both in A and one closes middayLong walk to high-numbered B gates with no moving walkwaysFood options solid but not destination-level; peaks can thin choicesNo direct rail into terminals—requires free bus transfer for BART/Caltrain
Amenities and tips
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.
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.
SJC · SJC delivers an easy, reliable, compact experience with excellent free transit and Wi-Fi but limited lounge depth and mid-tier food variety compared with larger hubs.
