San Francisco International Airport
The Bay's international airport, with a private-aviation facility apart from the concourses.
Mills Field Municipal Airport was a dirt runway on a former cow pasture, 150 acres of Ogden Mills's estate that San Francisco leased in 1927 and dedicated that May, built in under 2 months to win a Boeing airmail contract. The city bought the land and renamed it San Francisco Airport in 1931. "International" came after World War II, with the overseas service. Today San Francisco International is the region's primary international airport, out on the bay south of the city, and a heavy commercial field.
The private side
Private and corporate aircraft use a general-aviation terminal well away from the airline concourses. As of mid-2026 Signature Aviation operates the private-aviation facility at SFO, with ground handling and fueling for general and business aircraft, separate from the commercial side. For most private trips the calmer Bay Area business fields, Oakland's North Field, San Carlos, San José, are quicker and easier. A private flight comes to SFO when the next flight is international, with the long-haul airliners parked at the gates across the field.
FBO and history details were checked mid-2026 against the airport's and operators' own published information. Tenants change, so confirm the departure terminal with your operator.
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