2023.09 San Francisco (Part 5)

2023.09 San Francisco (Part 5)

Our time in the bay area was over and it was time for our daytime flight back to Toronto.  First up was a slow drive during rush hour from San Jose to SFO airport. With the rental car returned, we arrived at the terminal for our flight.

SFO Airport

Air Canada uses terminal 2 that is newer, and definitely better.  From my prior visits, many years ago,  I think Air Canada used terminal 3, as it was next to the International terminal, however wasn’t terminal 1.  This terminal had generous amount of space after security.  After taking in the public artwork, we headed to the left to find the elevator to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge.

Another thing I liked was that immediately after security were water fountains to refill your empty bottle.  Both still and sparkling water was on offer.  Something useful, and prominently on display.

When you walk towards the gate there is a food court to maximize your ability to grab your own snacks and treats before boarding your flight.

To me, one cool thing on offer at the airport was this display of items.  I have noticed that whenever I’m looking at old items (pictures, newspapers, magazines), it’s now the advertisements and items that are in the peripheral that attract my attention.  Here’s a slideshow of the items on display:

San Francisco – Air Canada Maple Lounge

Immediately after security, head toward the left as there is a small sign indicating the location of the Air Canada lounge.  When you head around the corner you come across elevators to take you up to the lounge:

We were quickly allowed entry and arrived during a lull in activity.  Steady after our arrival, other passengers for both our flight to Toronto, but also the flights to Montreal and Calgary filled the lounge.  Our visit was recently after it opened, and everything was in perfect condition. Here’s a slideshow of pictures I took of the lounge before it got crowded:

The single coolest thing the lounge offered was an outdoor terrace!  It was great to take pictures, however if you’re planning to use this space you’ll need your hearing protection, and when sunny, sun block as there is no shade on the terrace.  From the pictures you’ll notice that equipment and final work was occurring the day we visited.  I didn’t stay long as I didn’t want to listen to all the jet engines that were close by.  Here’s a slideshow of pictures I took of the terrace:

View from Air Canada SFO Lounge Terrace

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge SFO Terrace

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge SFO Terrace

We settled into a couple chairs that weren’t going to be warmed by the sun, and grabbed some food to be our lunch before our flight.  Here’s the slideshow of the buffet on offer and what we grabbed to tie us over until our flight:

Now, like our flight to SFO, our incoming flight was delayed.  Fortunately it wasn’t delayed by four hours, instead our departure time changed from just before noon to 1pm.  The extra hour allowed us to relax in the lounge.  It did get more crowded as our scheduled departure time approached, however there were still many seats available.  If you are visiting and like to do plane-spotting indoors, the row of chairs facing the windows will offer a view of the runways that are parallel to the bay.  On our day those runways were the main arrival runways with plenty of international flights, both cargo and passengers, landing.  SFO truly offers global connection as I watched as a Lufthansa flight was followed by a Korean Air (okay it was a Cargo flight), and already parked were planes from New Zealand, Australia and parts of Asia.  I guess in the afternoon and evening would be when the European carriers and Europe-bound flights would be active.

Flight – Air Canada

Scheduled departure: 11:55
Scheduled arrival: 20:14
Seats: 1A & 2A

After watching our aircraft land, and taxi to the gate, it was time for us to get to the gate and board.  We were on board a quarter after noon.  Boarding was quick as in less than 30 minutes boarding was complete.  The service director, Carol gave her welcome message — I don’t have any notes, so I don’t think the pilots gave a welcome message.  

Slideshow of menu:

Once the aircraft was pushed back from the gate, I realized that this is an extremely busy and compact airport.  Our runway was 1R, and that required the aircraft to snake around the terminals, and then go around the end of 1L.  All the while following other multiple aircraft.

Here’s a slideshow as we departed from San Francisco:

Take-off was smooth, and we almost had a synchronized parallel departure with an aircraft taking off from 1L.  Shortly after take-off it turned left to travel north along the bay, while our flight headed east.

The best part of a daytime flight, when you’re sitting on the non-sunny side of the plane is the view.  Here’s a slideshow of pictures from the flight, starting with another aircraft visible to me during our ascent to cruising altitude.

Just over a half hour after take-off our meal service commenced.  Before the food arrived, I received a hot towel, and drink service was performed.  Here a slideshow of the meal.  The starter was the same as our flight westbound, and this time I selected the chicken to have as my main course.

A significant amount of time was made up during the flight, maybe a tailwind helped us, as there was still hints of twilight as we approached Toronto.  After flying past Pearson, and then making a left turn we made a westerly approach to the runway.  Here’s a few pictures from the approach into Pearson airport.

We landed on the southern end of the airport, making the taxi to terminal 1, nice and short.  We were off the plane quickly and with our Nexus cards were through border control almost instantly.  If you qualify, I highly recommend getting a Nexus card.  The speed that you are able to clear security, along with US & Canadian customs is an excellent value.  I can only imagine the massive time saving if you’re a frequent traveler!

Another trip in the books.  Next up, a cruise to escape winter.

Explore other parts of this trip:

Part 1 – Air Canada lounge and Flight Toronto to San Francisco

Part 2 – Hampton Inn San Jose

Part 3 – Sightseeing in San Francisco

Part 4 – Monterey Aquarium

Part 5 – Air Canada SFO Lounge and flight San Francisco to Toronto (this post!)