Markets

San Francisco Targets LAX In Fight for Connecting Travelers

By Brett Snyder

Updated on: March 15, 2010 / 11:58 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

It's not often that you see one airport call out another airport, but that's exactly what San Francisco International (SFO) has done, even though they won't admit it. SFO has put out an advertising campaign to drive travelers from Australia and New Zealand to connect through SFO instead of what it calls, "The Bad Airport." Though Los Angeles International (LAX) isn't mentioned by name, it's incredibly clear that's the target.

Take a look at this 1 1/2 minute video and see if you disagree:

Is this video accurate? Obviously not (as if the flight attendants on LA flights are rude yet the ones on SF flights are magically pleasant), but there is a very valid point here. Connecting through SFO is far better than connecting through LAX . . . depending upon your criteria. There are valid arguments for both.

United (UAUA) has long flown nonstop from Sydney to San Francisco, and the connecting experience, as long as you stay on United, isn't much different whether you fly through LAX or SFO. Domestic to international connections on United at LAX will come in to Terminal 6/7/8 and the departures will be from the same place, all behind security. At SFO, connections come in to Terminal 3 and passengers have to walk behind security to the International Terminal. The reverse is the same except, of course, you have to leave security and come back in when you go through customs and immigration. Sure, the shops and lounges are nicer at SFO, and the terminal is newer, but that's not a huge difference for the average traveler.

In the last couple years, Qantas and Air New Zealand have both started flying to SFO from Sydney and Auckland respectively. For Air New Zealand passengers, the difference is tremendous. It's likely that Air New Zealand passengers will be connecting on to a United flight, thanks to the Star Alliance. At LAX, United flights are at Terminal 6/7/8 and Air New Zealand is at Terminal 2. Passengers have the option of:

Taking the infrequent and overcrowded interterminal bus
Playing a real live game of Frogger by darting across the airport on foot
Or taking the long way and strolling all the way around the horseshoe-shaped terminal area

None of these are particularly attractive options. It's even worse if you have a lot of luggage for your long international trip. At SFO, the process is the same as is a United to United connection, so there is a tremendous benefit for passengers to go that way.

But what about Qantas? Well, that's actually a little worse at SFO, in my opinion. Qantas passengers are likely to be connecting on to oneworld partner American (AMR). At LAX, American flights go in and out of Terminal 4. Qantas has some flights right in the terminal while others got out of the Bradley Terminal right next door. It's an easy walk, even with luggage.

At SFO, however, American passengers land in Terminal 3 and Qantas flights go from International Terminal Concourse A, at the other corner of the terminal area. So it either requires a longer walk or a taking the AirTrain. The train is nice, but if I can just walk a few feet at LAX, I'd rather do that. Besides, there are more Qantas flights at LAX to more places with better connecting options since American has a much larger presence. I'd probably stick with LAX.

There is also one huge wildcard. If you want your flight to be on time, well, LAX is a better bet. As soon as the fog rolls in, San Francisco becomes one giant delay, something that LAX rarely experiences.

Despite the LAX advantages, there is still a lot to be said for flying through San Francisco. Gary Leff from View From the Wing wrote about this last week, and as you can see in the comments, the frequent fliers who read his blog overwhelmingly support SFO.

So does SFO really think this campaign will work? I suppose it's possible. People do hate LAX for its lack of shopping options, dingy, cramped terminals, and longer connections, but people LOVE better pricing and schedules. LAX definitely has better schedules for New Zealand/Australia passengers with more frequency and more nonstop destinations. But if SFO can move the needle a little bit, this can be considered a victory.

Photo: SFO terminals by Telstar Logistics