Air France KLM Lounge
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Air France KLM Lounge – San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Note: The lounge re-opened on June 16, 2023 after a complete makeover. We will update this review shortly.
The Air France KLM lounge no longer customers flying with partner airlines, as well as membership card holders (Priority Pass, LoungeKey, etc.) Those customers are welcome to visit the new Golden Gate Lounge, also operated by Air France, on the 4th floor.
The Air France KLM Lounge at San Francisco airport is conveniently located immediately to the left of the International Terminal A security checkpoint.
Members of popular lounge access programs Priority Pass and Lounge Club are also welcome in theory, though in reality they are routinely turned away around Air France departure times because of capacity issues.
Note that Air France La Premiere First Class passengers are invited to use the adjacent, and far superior Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.
Air France KLM Lounge SFO design
The venerable Air France KLM Lounge at San Francisco airport hasn’t changed much since its inception many moons ago as a Northwest Airlines (and then Delta) lounge. The décor is utilitarian to a fault, with an inoperative gas fireplace as the only noteworthy feature. Fortunately, the club received a fresh coat of paint and new furniture late 2016.
Air France KLM Lounge – San Francisco, CA (SFO)
The lounge is divided into three areas. Behind the reception desk is a seating area with a small snack and beverage counter. Windows run along the length of the lounge and provide plenty of natural light as well as outstanding close-up views on aircraft parked immediately outside—early in the afternoon, the Emirates A380 bound for Dubai makes for a perfect picture opportunity.
In the rear is a second, larger room with a circular shape, where the buffet and dining area are located, and where most customers tend to congregate.
Due to the overall lack of real estate, seating is dense and the layout affords patrons with little privacy. The club can get crowded and noisy at peak departure times. Power outlets are also sorely missing, though the recent renovations brought convenient table-top seating by the window and a few more plugs.
Air France KLM Lounge – San Francisco, CA (SFO)
There are also two smaller areas. Off to the side of the first room is a smaller space—the former business center—furnished with a sofa and a handful of leather seats including two bright red ones, perhaps in a nod to the Air France brand. While the room is more private and power outlets are more widely available, it is darker and window-less.
Finally, adjacent to the reception desk is a small partitioned-off area for VIP or notable passengers. There are no additional amenities, save for a bottle of Champagne, but the layout offers slightly better privacy.
Overall, the Air France KLM Lounge at San Francisco airport International Terminal A is a clean and bright, but unimpressive space. Despite recent renovations, the lounge remains bare and devoid of a décor, and power outlets are very scarcely available.
Air France KLM Lounge SFO amenities
The Air France KLM Lounge at San Francisco airport offers a limited set of amenities.
Air France KLM Lounge – San Francisco, CA (SFO)
The food and beverage selection is the highlight, as expected from a French airline. The food spread includes simple hot dishes such as roasted vegetables, pasta and soups, a salad bar, as well as tasty sandwiches made with French baguette, and desserts.
On the drinks front, patrons will find bottled water, an enjoyable wine selection, Champagne, beer, as well as a soft drinks and an espresso machine. All drinks are available for self-service.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available. Next to the reception desk is also a selection of newspapers and magazines. Otherwise, the lounge lacks traditional business class amenities such as a staffed bar or showers.
Air France KLM Lounge SFO bottom line
Air France KLM Lounge – San Francisco, CA (SFO)
The Air France KLM Lounge at San Francisco airport has significantly improved with the late 2016 renovations, and features an enjoyable food and beverage selection. However, the physical space and overall lack of amenities remain underwhelming, and the lack of privacy and crowds at peak times can be bothersome. Unfortunately, there are currently few alternatives for Air France KLM passengers. The China Airlines lounge (operated by a fellow SkyTeam airline) opens only a few hours a day, and International Terminal A isn’t connected airside to the other terminals.
The food and beverage offering makes the Air France KLM Lounge at San Francisco airport an attractive option for Priority Pass members. However, the latter may be turned away between 11 am and 2:30 pm, and between 7 pm and 10pm due to crowding. With this in mind, we would not suggest that Priority Pass members go through security in International Terminal A just to attempt to use the lounge.
For information on possible alternatives, other lounges at SFO and rankings, check out our Definitive Guide to the SFO Lounge Scene.
- The food and beverage offering.
- The views on the tarmac.
- The utilitarian look.
- The cramped setup.
- The lack of power outlets.
You may have access to Air France KLM Lounge as a premium customer of one of the following airlines, or as an elite member of their frequent flyer program. Check the Access rules tab for more details.
SkyTeam
Access for eligible customers traveling on the following SkyTeam member airlines only.
 | Air France (AF) |  | KLM (KL) |
2.5 / 5, based on 184 reviews
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Courtesy of Air France
Overall ratings
thanks very very very much to Samia and Nayree at the front desk of the Air France lounge, i forgot my iphone in my rent car and they help me to locate my iphone with their computer, to phone to the rent car office, to go back to the rent car garage, to have again my iphone, to be just in time for the boarding, it is the BEST service i never had before, with Air France staff, 1000 thanks again to Samia and Nayree
Beyond disappointing. 0 stars
Very disappointed with this lounge. We walked in, saw probably 20% occupied and 80% free spaces and they didn’t allow us in, even though we had Priority Passes. Completely unacceptable.
Same. One lady was very rude. She told me “just go outside and PP is not allowed.”, even if the space is not full (20 % occupied). A manager in this lounge should be accused. In the future, this will have a big issue.
Had he same issue as many above. Walked in and was turned away by an emotionless rude receptionist woman. I was not able to get her name but she was working 1/25/17 7pm shift. I am a priority pass member and she turned my party away saying there was a flight boarding at 10:40 and they expected the lounge to be full to 140 people. This lounge was completely empty on entrance.
ou’re Definitely Not A Priority in this Lounge!
Twice in 2 weeks I was denied entry with my Priority Pass to the Air France Lounge at SFO due to a “expected flight”. The lounge was empty and I really needed to get some work done. After I complained the very unemotional woman at entry said “I guess we can let you in for a bit but you’ll have to leave”.
Really? I’ve been a paid PP member and now received through my Ritz Carlton card and “You Guess” you can let me in so I can once again experience your horribly cold and tasteless food? Your crudités that are usually wilted and sad and are more “Crude” then anything else?
I commute through SFO and the lounge use to be a little bit of refuge, not much but still a little from the rest my flights but apparently I’m not the only one dealing with this horrible service as per this reddit thread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/5bvg7m/psa_for_those_of_you_who_got_the_csr_priority/?sort=confidence
I’m sorry, I guess I never knew us PP members were second class customers. Now I know.
Negative 1. Very rude staff. Lounge was half full and they refused Priority Pass members. The nasty attendant refused to give her name. Unfortunately no cellphone coverage in the entrance so when I stepped out to call Priority Pass and they wanted to talk to her I walked back in and lost the call. Tried twice and gave up. Lodged a complaint though. If one of my employees was that rude and hostile I’d want to know
::: Dreadful Lounge. Avoid at all cost :::
Its atually a minus one star rating…
This lounge, operated by collinson group… https://www.collinsongroup.com/contact-us
The Royal Bank of Scotland, at present is contracted to this lounge, however given that they refuse alll entry to priority pass members, I doubt that RBS will continue with this arrangement for long… or they should not do so.
There are other, better lounges in sfo… which maybe priority pass / rbs black card services, will contract with to enure a better, more decent, reasonable service for their clients. They have one chance to sort his out!
Literally the moment I walked to the front desk the staff were distracted with their phones and clicking pens. They weren’t interested in greeting us and when I showed my Priority Pass card I was asked “oh, are you speaking to me?”. I was then told to wait 10 minutes for a flight to leave before I could go in even though the lounge had plenty of capacity.
Suffice to say I went upstairs to the Virgin lounge and had much better treatment.
This lounge should not be included if they treat guests based on what they said was a “ranking system” where Priority Pass is anything but a priority.
I’m writing this review from the lounge. I agree with the site admin’s 2 stars.
The lounge is very cramped, with power only available in a side room. I had to hover to finally get a seat, and had to clear the table myself as the staff were missing in action. Aside from the nice brie cheese, the snacks were disappointing.
This is the only available lounge for Qantas Business class carriers. My score accordingly downgrades to 1 star if you are flying business.
I’m now off to the public bar…
Two stars for the champagne and views… everything else is one star. Possibly the worst lounge at SFO.
I would agree. I have rarely been at a lounge as crowded and dingy as this one. What an embarrassment to SFO!