United Plane on Approach to SFO Reports Laser Beam, Injury

Around 10:30 tonight while on UA155 listening to Channel 9 (Live ATC communications), someone from the flight deck reported to San Francisco Approach they were hit by a green laser beam aimed from the ground south of the airport. Upon touching down, medical assistance was requested. Medics and police were at the gate to meet the plane. An alert was issued for other inbound traffic of this hazard. I was on the opposite side of the plane and didn't see the actual incident. No official announcement was made of the incident or injury by the flight crew.

Free Wi-Fi Coming to San Francisco International

Joining Mineta San Jose and Oakland Airports, SFO will soon launch complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the airport. The switch from paid service, currently offered by T-Mobile, to free service, is expected September 1, 2010.

Near Live Flight Tracking in the San Francisco Bay Area

For hours of nonstop entertainment, check out SFO's Near Live Flight Track Show where you can watch Bay Area flight traffic on a radar-like program. Originally designed as part of the noise abatement program @SFO, viewers are able to track the airline, altitude, speed, flight path, origination and destination of planes flying around the Bay. The kids will love it! Even the adults will enjoy it! Keep it mind there is a slight lag time in displaying results, so a plane you see or hear over downtown SF would be shown on the radar about ten minutes later.

Click here for more information on the Live Flight Track show. Hints: If the green airplane icon does not immediately show, refresh your page. Also, after clicking the icon and Bay Area map opens, it may take up to a minute for the planes to begin loading. So be patient. The fun is just moments away. Additional instructions can be found here.

Thumbs up to SFO for this wonderful program and resource available to the general public.

A Roundup of Entertaining Travel Reads Around the Web

-A Sneak Peak at the Renovations & Plans for San Francisco Airport's Terminal 2 (FlySFO)

-San Francisco Detours Into Reality Tourism (NY Times)

-Intercontinental becomes first hotel to trial iPad (Breaking Travel News)

-Celebrate the Golden Age of Meissen at San Francisco International Airport (SF Examiner)

-A Hotel Made of Key Cards (Places)

-Potty Policy Has Air Travelers Holding It In (AOL)

Inside Secret for SFO Travelers Flying United Airlines

If you travel domestic routes on United Airlines (Terminal 3) through San Francisco Airport, did you know you can access International security lines (G gates), instead of the long and congested ones in the domestic terminal? It's true! This is particularly beneficial for those riding BART to SFO or getting dropped off - without bags to check, because it means you can immediately clear security upon arriving at the airport. Plus, the international terminal is just an enjoyable, peaceful place to relax, with improved dining options, compared to terminal 3. If you have bags to check you still need to complete that at the domestic terminal, and therefore using international security checkpoint will probably not be beneficial.

A new walkway opened at SFO last December allows passengers to freely walk between International Terminal G to Domestic Terminal 3 - post security.

SFO Traffic Up 4.8% in 2008, Decline Inevitable in 2009

Thanks in large part to Virgin America, Southwest and JetBlue launching new domestic routes from SFO in 2008, San Francisco International Airport traffic was up 4.8% for the year. According to the San Francisco Chroncicle, SFO was one of only three major U.S Airports to see an increase in passenger traffic. But, citing the downturn in the economy and demand for travel, airport officials report a 5-7% drop in traffic is inevitable for 2009.

SFO Opens Walkway Between International and Domestic Terminals

Amidst the hustle and flow of passengers throughout San Francisco Airport the day before Christmas, San Francisco Airport officials quietly opened up a long overdue convenience for passengers connecting through the airport.

Next to Gate 75 in Terminal 3, a new walkway opened up, allowing connecting passengers the convenience of remaining within the airport, instead of taking a shuttle bus between the International and Domestic (United Airlines) terminals. Although the bus operated throughout the day, passengers had to wait 10-15 minutes at times before boarding. The new walkway is a direct passage linking the terminals with just a couple minutes walk.

Be sure to let friends and family flying through SFO know about this helpful improvement at the airport.

Passengers Are Not Happy With SFO

According to a recently released J.D Power and Associates airport survey, San Francisco airport was ranked second to worst in terms of customer of service, among the 20 largest airports in the United States. The annual report ranked the airports based on passengers’ online responses to six factors: airport accessibility, baggage claim, check in/baggage check process, terminal facilities, security check and food and retail services.

San Francisco airport officials say these findings conflict with other research which gave SFO a 4 out 5 in terms of customer satisfaction . Read more from the S.F examiner.

Renovation Plans for SFO's Terminal 2

The outdated, empty, and unused Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport will soon get some much needed tender loving care.

Formerly known as the old International Terminal, Terminal 2 has been closed since 2000, which is when the impressive and grand International Terminal debuted. Then with the drop in air travel around and after 9/11, considerations for reopening the terminal seemed pointless.

Now, business at SFO is up, but available space is not. International travel is up 8% year-to-date versus last year, and domestic up 2%. The airport simply needs more gates than currently available.

So, Airport commissioners voted last week to solicit bids for contractors for the renovation of the terminal. Once the bidding and design process are completed, it will take about 30 months of constructions before flights would begin again from Terminal 2. 14 new gates are expected once the renovation is finished.

Bay Area Departutes & Arrivals: Qantas, Jet Airways, Jet Blue, United

Qantas Airline's San Francisco - Vancouver service ends seasonal service on January 6th.

The airline was operating a limited 2 x weekly schedule with full onboard service and amenities, before it (and many of its passengers) continued on to Sydney.

Jet Airways has confirmed its San Francisco - Mumbai, India service will begin "soon". The airline has posted several employment opportunities at SFO.

United airlines has pushed back the inauguration of San Francisco to Guangzhou, China service to June 2007. Previously the airline announced plans to start flights on March 25th.

JetBlue will be chopping the Oakland-Ft Launderdale non-stop service come this January, just two years after they began service on this route.

San Francisco - Dublin, Ireland $480 r/t taxes included

Aer Lingus begins non-stop service from San Francisco to Dublin, Ireland this weekend. The Irish Airline is celebrating with a sale of $199 (each way) tickets on Tuesday and Wednesday's.

The service will launch with four round-trip flights per week and introductory fares as low as $288 each way. Those one-way economy class fares drop to $199 each way during a special online sale – from 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, October 30 until 3:59 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31 -- for weekday flights (Monday and Wednesday) in January and February 2008. Friday and Sunday flights are $20 more each way. Tickets must be purchased online at http://www.aerlingus.com/ during the sale period.

ParkSFO coupon: 2 days free parking (min stay is 4 days) Valid for October. Coupon link HERE. I've used ParkSFO in the past and felt they had fast, responsive service & shuttles 24/7.

Airbus 380 SuperJumbo to land at SFO later this morning

The brand-spankin' new 525 passenger Airbus 380 aircraft has been making appearances around the world the past couple months, and San Francisco is the next stop. At 9:40 Tuesday morning, the SuperJumbo will make history by touching down at SFO. Hundreds of media and invite-only guests for the event will also be treated to viewing SFO's new triple passenger loading bridge.

Alaska Airlines discontinues the non-stop San Francisco to San Diego flight this weekend.
The airline, which has been operating this route only since October 2006 will discontinue service effective September 9th. Southwest Airlines can largely be to blame for Alaska Airlines pulling out of this market. Southwest currently operates 2o daily non-stop flights from Oakland to San Diego, and began flying 8 additional daily flights from San Francisco to San Diego (haven't even included San Jose and Sacramento)- with cut-throat fares as low as $39 bucks each way. Probably best for Alaska to move on to greener $ pastures...