(SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA) — If you’re flying through San Francisco next spring or summer, plan for tighter runway capacity: SFO will close Runway 1R for six months in 2026, a move the airport says should keep delays under 10% but could still pinch peak-hour connections.
San Francisco International Airport announced December 30, 2025, that Runway 1R (1 Right) will shut down from March 30, 2026, through October 2, 2026. The runway will be repaved and resurfaced, with lighting upgrades, new striping and markings, and adjacent taxiway improvements.
The project was awarded to Granite Construction Company on May 6, 2025. Total cost is $180 million, including $92.1 million in Federal Aviation Administration funding.
Operational changes during the closure
With Runway 1R out of service, SFO says all arrivals and departures will shift to Runways 28 Left and 28 Right. That’s a configuration travelers already see on clear, windy days, and it’s common for westbound operations at SFO.
To keep aircraft moving on the ground, SFO plans to use parallel Runway 1 Left only as a taxiway, not for takeoffs and landings. That should help reduce bottlenecks between the terminals and the departure queue.
SFO expects fewer than 10% of flights to be delayed. The airport projects an average delay of under 30 minutes, with the most pressure during peak periods around 9:00 AM and 8:00–9:00 PM.
When booking SFO connections during 3/30–10/2/2026, allow extra buffers for international legs and opt for flights that depart or arrive outside the 9:00 AM and 8–9 PM peaks to minimize delays.
Some neighborhoods may also notice a temporary change in aircraft noise. SFO noted that departing flights may increase overhead for certain communities while the runway is closed.
| Item | Normal operations (typical) | During Runway 1R closure |
|---|---|---|
| Primary runway availability | Runway 1R active (when scheduled) | Runway 1R closed March 30–Oct 2, 2026 |
| Arrival/departure runways | Mixed, depending on weather and traffic | Runways 28 Left and 28 Right handle arrivals and departures |
| Parallel Runway 1 Left | Runway/taxi use varies | Used only as a taxiway to ease ground congestion |
| Expected delays | Day-to-day variability | <10% of flights delayed, average <30 minutes |
Why this matters for connections, award travel, and status runs
Even “under 30 minutes” can be the difference between making a tight connection and sleeping at the airport. If you’re connecting at SFO to Hawaii, Asia, or Europe, a modest departure delay can cascade into missed long-haul flights.
Basic Economy fares often restrict same-day changes; if plans slip, rebooking could be costly or limited. Consider a slightly more flexible ticket if you expect possible schedule shifts.
For loyalty travelers, the biggest risk isn’t miles earned — it’s getting reaccommodated into a different fare bucket or cabin. Key considerations:
- Award tickets: If your flight time shifts or delays trigger a misconnect, airlines often have more flexibility to reroute you. That can be a win, but it may also move you onto partner flights with different award seat rules.
- Elite status runs: If you’re counting on a same-day turn for elite-qualifying dollars or segments, build in more buffer. A 25-minute pushback delay can break a carefully timed itinerary.
- Upgrade strategy: If you’re waitlisted for an upgrade, last-minute aircraft swaps and reaccommodations can reshuffle the list. That matters most on peak evening departures.
Airlines generally don’t cut mileage earning because an airport is under construction. Your earnings still depend on ticket price, fare class, and the program’s rules. But if you voluntarily change flights to avoid the busiest banks, reprice rules can matter.
⚠️ Heads Up: If you booked Basic Economy, changing to a “safer” connection may cost more. Some airlines also restrict same-day changes on their cheapest fares.
Competitive context and timing
Major U.S. hubs regularly do runway and taxiway work, often in overnight windows. A six-month closure is more disruptive, even with two parallel Runways 28 Left and 28 Right carrying the load.
The practical comparison for travelers is this: airports with complex weather and heavy long-haul banks have less room for error. At SFO, fog season and peak transpacific schedules can amplify small delays, especially if you’re trying to connect to a single daily flight.
SFO framed this closure as part of broader infrastructure work. The airport pointed to recent taxiway work tied to Runway 28 Left completed in June 2024. It also flagged an International Terminal roof upgrade slated for early 2026.
What to do now if you’re traveling March–October 2026
If you already have SFO on the calendar for spring, summer, or early fall 2026, this isn’t a reason to panic-book elsewhere. It is a reason to plan like a frequent flyer.
Note: Runway 1R will close Mar 30–Oct 2, 2026. Arrivals/departures shift to 28L/28R and Runway 1L becomes taxi-only. Check flysfo.com regularly and set a calendar alert for March 30, 2026.
Recommended actions:
- Pad your connection times. If you’re connecting to an international departure, avoid the minimum connection time when possible.
- Aim off-peak. If you have flexibility, target departures outside the 9:00 AM and 8:00–9:00 PM crunch windows.
- Watch schedule changes. Airline schedule updates can open free-change opportunities, even on tickets that are normally restrictive.
- Consider fare rules. If you might need to change plans, weigh the cost of a slightly more flexible fare versus the risk of a missed connection.
SFO is directing travelers to check flysfo.com for operational updates as the closure approaches. Mark March 30, 2026 on your calendar now, and if you’re booking an SFO connection during the closure window, give yourself extra time before you click “purchase.”
San Francisco International Airport will undergo a significant six-month infrastructure upgrade in 2026, closing Runway 1R for repaving and safety enhancements. Funded partly by the FAA, the $180 million project will compress traffic onto the 28L/R runway pair. While average delays are expected to remain under 30 minutes, peak travel times may see increased congestion, impacting tight connections for international and domestic travelers alike.
