San Francisco International Airport is soliciting bids to construct and operate a private terminal for commercial flights. The airport plans to accept proposals for this project between late September and early October, with a contract award anticipated by early December.

The projected opening for the private terminal is late 2028. This facility is intended for commercial flights, not business or corporate jets. It will feature dedicated Transportation Security Administration checkpoints and Customs and Border Protection lines for travelers on international flights.

The terminal will be located on a 75,000-square-foot site, situated across the runway from the existing public terminals. San Francisco International Airport spokesperson Doug Yakel stated that the airport identified a high level of demand for premium experiences in travel as the reason for pursuing the project. Yakel said that traffic at the public terminals is not expected to change due to the new private facility.

Yakel noted an increase in investment in luxury travel across different areas. "We see the level of interest that's being invested onboard aircraft, inside terminals, around airports, and clearly this is something that other airports are rolling out," Yakel said. A report by Bain & Company and Altagamma indicates that spending on luxury experiences is increasing.

The private terminal's access will be offered on a membership or per-use basis, with the winning operator setting the specific pricing. Regarding the passenger experience, Yakel stated, "Somebody that uses this product really wouldn't see the other passengers they're traveling with until they're taken up the stairs of the jet bridge and onto the aircraft."

Similar private terminals are in operation at London Heathrow Airport and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport recently launched the first private terminal in Latin America. In the United States, Los Angeles International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Miami International Airport, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provide private terminal services through PS, a company owned by Gavin de Becker and Associates. Representatives from PS and Gavin de Becker and Associates attended a conference hosted by San Francisco International Airport in June concerning the private terminal project. PS has expressed a goal to open private terminals at major U.S. airports by 2030, with one-time access to existing PS terminals costing $1,295 and yearly memberships up to $4,850.