London Heathrow to San Francisco Flights
Heathrow Airport
London’s Heathrow Airport began life as the Great Western Aerodrome, privately owned and used for aircraft testing back in the 1930s. Later, in 1946, during its first year as a commercial airport, a total of 9,000 flights were recorded to 18 destinations. Throughout the following decades, with the growth in demand for both domestic and international flights, the airport underwent significant expansion which has continued to this day. The opening of a state of the art fifth terminal in 2008 completes the picture of a facility which now handles nearly 70 million passengers a year and is officially the UK’s busiest airport. Daily flights from London Heathrow to San Francisco are available with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic and several times a week with Aer Lingus. Flights from Heathrow to San Francisco take 13 hours.
San Francisco Airport
In its early days back in the 1930s San Francisco Airport was the base for the Pan American Airways ‘flying boat’ service across the Pacific, known as the China Clipper. Commercial flights to San Francisco began some years later during the war, when flights to Oakland International were diverted here. The airport’s international terminal has now become the largest in North America, and the facility won the award of Best International Airport in North America in the Skytrax World Airports Survey for 2008.br>
Parking Facilities in and around San Francisco Airport
Short-term car parks are available at San Francisco within walking distance of the terminals at the domestic and international parking garages. The long-term car park is located 2 miles north of the terminal and is served by a free shuttle bus. Private firms also run long-term car parking services in the vicinity. Many of these also offer additional services such as valeting and are available to pre-book online.
Airport Distance from San Francisco and Other Notable Surrounding Locations
The airport is 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco itself, 8 miles from neighbouring San Mateo and and just minutes from the San Mateo Bridge which links the San Francisco Peninsula with the East Bay. Conveniently located for the surrounding areas, it’s just 15 miles to Redwood City, 22 miles to Palo Alto and 38 miles to San Jose.
Transport Links to San Francisco
Flights to San Francisco are served by excellent onward public transport links to the surrounding areas. BART Bay Area Rapid Transit provides round the clock rail links directly from the terminal to all areas of the city and the surrounding suburbs. The city’s SamTrans buses also run three routes to and from the airport via San Mateo and Palo Alto. If you prefer private transport, there are a multitude of pre-bookable options available from private minibuses to limousines and taxis are available 24/7.
Conference and other business facilities at San Francisco Airport Business passengers are well catered for at San Francisco Airport, with workstations and wireless internet access available throughout the terminals via the T-mobile Hotspot Service. The Triptel Business Centre in the main hall of the international terminal offers the use of fax and photocopying facilities and is ideal for informal pre-flight meetings. Larger conference facilities are available at a number of neighbouring hotels such as the Radisson Hotel San Francisco Airport.