SFO Plans Exclusive Terminal for Wealthy Travelers

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is planning to construct a new terminal specifically designed for wealthy travelers, aiming to provide a private and expedited airport experience. The airport is currently soliciting proposals from bidders to develop, build, and operate this exclusive terminal, which will serve as a separate entry point for commercial flights. This initiative seeks to offer a "private, luxurious, bespoke, and expedited experience away from SFO’s public terminals," including a dedicated Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening area and transportation via private vehicles on the runway.

The designated area for this exclusive terminal is a 75,023-square-foot plot identified as "plot 42." SFO plans to accept proposals until October and intends to finalize a contract by the end of 2024, with an anticipated opening in 2028. This concept of segregating travelers based on wealth is not novel; similar private terminals already exist at major international airports.

In Europe, London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle airports have long offered private terminals for elite travelers. Brazil's BTG Pactual Terminal at São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport, opened last year, was the first of its kind in Latin America. Within the United States, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) already operate private terminals managed by a company named PS.

PS, which claims a unique partnership with the TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, has been expanding its private terminal services. In June 2026, PS is scheduled to extend its offerings to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Miami International Airport (MIA). These services typically include private security screening, dedicated vehicle transport, premium lounge facilities, and luggage assistance, aiming to bypass the typical inconveniences of crowded public terminals.