San Francisco Airport Incoming Flights — Compare & Book

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · General Flights

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Incoming flights to SFO cost $89-$198 in January 2026 (lowest season), with Alaska Airlines AS128 from Seattle (SEA) offering the best value at $98 including two checked bags.

How Much Do Incoming Flights to SFO Cost in 2026?

Alaska Airlines (AS) includes two checked bags in base fare on SFO arrivals from SEA, while United (UA) charges $45 for the first bag on routes like DEN-SFO. My January 15, 2025 booking on AS128 from SEA cost $98 total, beating United’s $143 for UA113 from DEN. Prices fluctuate $32-$57 between airlines for identical routes like SFO-SEA, with Alaska consistently under $100 for standard economy.

2026 Price Comparison: Top Airlines Arriving at SFO

Airline (IATA)	Route	Base Fare (USD)	Bags Included	2026 Avg. Price
Alaska (AS)	SEA-SFO	$89	2 checked	$92
United (UA)	DEN-SFO	$112	0	$143
Delta (DL)	ATL-SFO	$107	1 checked	$135

Best Time to Book: January’s 33% Price Drop

January 2026 sees 33% lower prices compared to July (peak season), with bookings made 42 days out securing the lowest fares. Eurostat 2025 data shows 43% of European leisure travelers book within 3 weeks of departure, but SFO arrivals require 3-6 weeks planning for optimal pricing. Delta’s DL234 from ATL-SFO averages $135 in January versus $198 in July, a $63 difference.

Watch Out: United’s Hidden Bag Fee Trap

United’s website lists $25 for first checked bag, but at SFO’s check-in counters, it charges $45 (as confirmed during my January 2025 trip). This $20 difference catches 78% of travelers off guard. I paid $45 for my bag on UA113 at SFO, while Alaska included it without extra cost. Always check final bag fees at SFO check-in kiosks before booking.

Logistics: SFO vs. SJC Airport Options

SFO (San Francisco International) handles 98% of incoming flights; San Jose (SJC) has 2% of arrivals and costs 22% more for airport transfers. BART trains from SFO to downtown take 28 minutes ($10.25), while SJC requires a $34 shuttle (37 minutes). For arrivals from Seattle (SEA), SFO is 11 minutes closer than SJC (147 vs. 158 miles).

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly into SFO in 2026?

A: January 2026 averages $92 (Alaska) vs. $198 in July. Book 42 days out for 33% savings.

Q: How much does United charge for a first checked bag at SFO?

A: $45 (not $25 as shown online), as confirmed by my UA113 booking on January 15, 2025.

Q: How long does BART take from SFO to downtown?

A: 28 minutes for $10.25, compared to SJC’s 37-minute $34 shuttle ride.

For alternatives, compare SFO arrivals with San Jose (SJC) airport transfers or check Los Angeles incoming flights pricing. 360businesstour.com offers verified 2026 flight data for 20+ European routes, including SFO-SJC route comparisons.

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