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Verdict

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) scores higher overall at 7.8/10 versus Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) at 7.6/10.

Score comparison

Metric San Francisco International Airport Nice Côte d'Azur Airport
FlightLogic Score 7.8 7.6
On-Time Performance 7.5 7.4
Passenger Experience 7.7 7.5
Facilities & Comfort 8.2 7.9
Lounge Score 8.3 7.5
City San Francisco Nice
Country United States France
Terminals 4 terminals (T1–T3 domestic, International Terminal A & G) 2 terminals (T1, T2)
Annual passengers 50M+ 14M+

Operational comparison

Transport links, lounge access, connection times, and UK261 eligibility — verify locally before travel.

Policy SFO — San NCE — Nice
Rail / public transport
To city centre
Lounge day pass
Min. connection time
Primary hub carriers

Detailed profiles

San Francisco, United States · SFO · #1 in this comparison

San Francisco International Airport

4 terminals (T1–T3 domestic, International Terminal A & G) · 50M+ passengers/year

7.8 / 10

How good is San Francisco International Airport?

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) scores 7.8/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.5), passenger experience (7.7), and facilities (8.2). Lounge quality rates 8.3/10. See full airport guide →

In short

San Francisco SFO is rated 7.8/10 on FlightLogic with lounge score 8.3/10. United Polaris Lounge in International Terminal G is the premium benchmark for transpacific business class. Centurion Lounge in Terminal 3 serves domestic and some international cardholders. See /guides/sfo-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 7.8 Very Good
On-time 7.5 Departure reliability
Experience 7.7 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 8.2 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 8.3 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.5
Passenger Experience
7.7
Facilities & Comfort
8.2
Lounge score 8.3/10

Highlights

  • United Polaris Lounge in International Terminal G — among the best US airline lounges for transpacific departures
  • International Terminal A and G host Star Alliance, oneworld, and Centurion Lounge for long-haul passengers
  • BART train to downtown San Francisco in 30 minutes — preferred over LAX for city access on business trips
  • Common UK routing via London with BA, Virgin Atlantic, and United non-stops

Overview

West Coast tech gateway — United Polaris hub with strong Asia-Pacific routes and renovated International Terminal lounges.

International Terminal and Polaris

International Terminal G hosts United Polaris Lounge for United long-haul business class and Star Alliance Gold on international departures. Terminal A serves other Star Alliance and oneworld long-haul carriers with alliance lounges.

Airside connections exist between International Terminal A and G — easier than JFK for Star Alliance connections.

Nice, France · NCE · #2 in this comparison

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport

2 terminals (T1, T2) · 14M+ passengers/year

7.6 / 10

How good is Nice Côte d'Azur Airport?

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) scores 7.6/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.4), passenger experience (7.5), and facilities (7.9). Lounge quality rates 7.5/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Nice NCE scores 7.6/10 — French Riviera gateway. Bus 98 to Nice centre ~20 min. See /guides/best-airlines-uk-france and /guides/nice-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 7.6 Very Good
On-time 7.4 Departure reliability
Experience 7.5 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.9 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 7.5 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.4
Passenger Experience
7.5
Facilities & Comfort
7.9
Lounge score 7.5/10

Highlights

  • Primary UK gateway to French Riviera — Monaco 30 min, Cannes 45 min by road
  • easyJet largest carrier from LGW/STN; BA from Heathrow; seasonal Jet2 from regional UK
  • Compare CDG (/airports/cdg) for Paris — Nice is leisure-focused, not a connection hub
  • EU261 applies; UK261 on UK-return legs

Overview

French Riviera gateway — easyJet, BA, and Jet2 from UK for Nice, Monaco, Cannes, and Provence with dense summer schedule.

Riviera access

Helicopter transfers to Monaco available but expensive. Uber and taxis signed landside; traffic heavy Jul–Aug on A8 motorway.

For Provence lavender season (Jun–Jul), NCE is the primary UK fly-in airport.

More comparisons

Compare San Francisco International Airport (SFO) against 59 other airports
Compare Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) against 59 other airports

FAQ

Which is better, San Francisco International Airport or Nice Côte d'Azur Airport?

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) scores higher overall at 7.8/10 versus Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) at 7.6/10.

Which has better lounges, SFO or NCE?

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) scores higher for lounges at 8.3/10, versus Nice Côte d'Azur Airport at 7.5/10.

Which airport is more on-time, SFO or NCE?

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has stronger on-time performance at 7.5/10 versus Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) at 7.4/10.