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)

Renovation Plans For SFO Released

Initial plans for the currently vacant terminal 2 at SFO have been released, and things are looking up. According to SF Gate, the 2 1/2 year project, expected to cost $383 million will include 50,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, with a Main Street feel. Planners are also reportedly taking steps to minimize the hassle and discomfort of the security checkpoint area, including a "passenger recomposure" area post-security, allowing travelers to collect themselves after security.

SFO's Old International Terminal To Fly Again

As we reported back in December, the old International terminal at SFO, known now as terminal 2 will be remodeled and put back into use in order to meet the demand for future travel.

This week the Chronicle reported that Virgin America is a confirmed tenant for the terminal which is expected to re-open in 2010. With the remodel, 14 gates will be available, which may prompt other carriers to switch to terminal 2 as well.
Read more plans about the remodel from sfgate.

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The outdated, empty, and unused Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport will soon get some much needed tender loving care.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