San Francisco International Airport is seeking a private operator to build and manage an exclusive terminal where premium-paying passengers could avoid the crowds, security lines and busy boarding areas found inside the airport’s regular terminals.
The proposed facility would serve passengers traveling on ordinary commercial airlines rather than private jets. Customers would use a separate entrance, receive private Transportation Security Administration screening and, when necessary, complete Customs and Border Protection processing away from the main terminal complex.
After clearing security, travelers could wait in a luxury lounge before being driven directly across the airport to their aircraft. Airport officials say passengers using the service might not encounter most other people on their flight until reaching the jet bridge or boarding the plane.
SFO has formally opened a request-for-proposals process for what it calls a “Private Terminal Ground Lease.” Companies will be able to submit proposals between September 30 and October 7, 2026. The airport hopes to select an operator by December, although the facility would still need approvals, design work and construction before opening. Late 2028 is currently considered the earliest possible launch date.
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The terminal is planned for a 75,000-square-foot site known as Plot 42, located away from SFO’s existing passenger terminals. A neighboring parcel covering more than 13,000 square feet would be available for parking. The selected company would be responsible for developing, constructing and operating the facility under a long-term ground lease.
SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel said the airport has observed growing demand for premium travel services, including exclusive airport lounges and higher-end experiences offered by airlines. The private terminal would take that model further by separating paying customers from most of the conventional airport process.
The operator would determine the final prices and could offer access through annual memberships, individual bookings or both. The service would therefore be available to commercial airline passengers who can afford the additional fee, regardless of whether they own or charter a private aircraft.
Existing private-terminal operator PS provides an indication of what such an experience could cost. Its current non-member rate for a shared luxury lounge is $1,295 per person, while a private suite for up to four travelers costs $4,950. Its highest annual membership costs $4,850 and gives customers access to lower per-visit rates and priority reservations. Those figures do not represent SFO’s future prices, which would be determined by the winning operator.
PS already operates or is developing private commercial terminals at several major U.S. airports. Representatives of the company attended an SFO information meeting about the San Francisco project, although the firm has not confirmed whether it will submit a bid. Operators connected to private terminals in Ireland and Brazil also reportedly expressed interest.
Under the proposed lease, SFO would receive a guaranteed payment and a percentage of the terminal operator’s revenue. The initial lease would run for 14 years, with an option for a two-year extension. Bidders must demonstrate previous experience running a private terminal and meet minimum revenue requirements.
The proposal arrives as airlines and airports increasingly compete for wealthy passengers through larger lounges, premium cabins, personalized services and faster airport processing. San Francisco may offer a particularly attractive market because of the concentration of technology executives, investors and other high-income travelers in the Bay Area.
The plan also follows renewed attention on San Francisco’s AI-driven wealth boom. Rapid hiring and expectations surrounding major technology-company stock offerings have contributed to intense competition in parts of the city’s housing market. A private commercial terminal could give airport operators another way to capture spending from the same growing group of affluent residents and business travelers.
However, the project is not expected to eliminate normal airport congestion for most passengers. The number of people able or willing to pay thousands of dollars for a separate terminal is likely to remain relatively small. Regular travelers would continue using SFO’s existing check-in areas, TSA checkpoints, lounges and gates.
The development could therefore become another example of a two-tier travel system: one experience for passengers willing to pay for privacy and convenience, and another for the majority who continue navigating conventional terminals.
Why It Matters
The project could create a new source of lease and concession revenue for SFO without requiring the airport itself to operate the luxury service. It may also generate construction, hospitality, security and transportation jobs.
For ordinary travelers, however, the terminal raises questions about whether airports should prioritize exclusive facilities while regular passengers continue dealing with delays, crowded checkpoints and limited seating. The service may make travel dramatically easier for a small group without significantly improving conditions across the wider airport.
What Comes Next
Interested operators can submit their proposals between September 30 and October 7. SFO will evaluate their financial strength, private-terminal experience and development plans before potentially awarding the lease in December.
The winning company would then need to complete environmental, construction, security and operational approvals. Even if the process proceeds on schedule, the private terminal is not expected to open before late 2028.
SFO is seeking a private operator for a luxury terminal with separate screening and direct transportation to commercial flights.
San Francisco International Airport’s exclusive terminal calls for private TSA and customs screening, a luxury lounge and a car-to-plane valet service. https://t.co/9qi0VpKSth
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) July 8, 2026
