Oakland International Airport

It’s official. And controversial. Oakland Int’l Airport’s new name

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Over the strong objections of San Francisco International Airport (SFO), last week the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners went ahead and unanimously voted to change the name of “Metropolitan Oakland International Airport” to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.”

The airport’s three-letter code (OAK) and its logo are not changing. But if you go to the airport’s website, you’ll see that the name has already been changed pretty much everywhere else.

Now lawsuits are flying between OAK and SFO

When OAK floated its name name change idea, the city San Francisco and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) weren’t happy.

So unhappy that the city of San Francisco filed a lawsuit claiming that, among other things, OAK airport was infringing on its trademark.

But OAK is firing back with a lawsuit of its own. OAK airport is asking a judge to rule that the airport’s new name does not infringe on the trademark of SFO, which is across the bay.

In April, San Francisco sued Oakland, claiming copyright infringement and confusion.

“This new name will cause confusion and chaos for travelers, which will damage the travel industry for the entire region,” said SFO City Attorney David Chiu.

Oakland disagrees.

“The Port disputes that the new name will create confusion with consumers as passengers booking flights into the region—like travelers to other major metropolitan areas throughout the world—will understand that the San Francisco Bay Area can contain more than one airport,” according to OAK’s lawsuit.

What do you think of San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport’s new name?

SFO vs. OAK: name change debate escalates

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Things are heating up the saga surrounding the proposed name change for Oakland International Airport (OAK).

On Monday, San Francisco city attorney’s office issued a statement threatening legal action if the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners goes ahead with the scheduled April 11 vote to change the name of the Metropoitan Oakland International Airport to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.”

”Should you continue in these efforts, I intend to pursue legal action to prevent your use of the proposed new name,” SFO City Attorney David Chiu warned in his statement.

At the end of March, the Port of Oakland announced that it plans to add “San Francisco” to the name of the airport “to boost inbound travelers’ geographic awareness of the airport’s location on the San Francisco Bay.”

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has already raised alarms over that move, citing “serious concerns” over OAK’s actions.

“[W]e anticipate the new name being considered by the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport will cause confusion for the public, either through a misunderstanding of its physical location or its perceived relationship to SFO,” SFO Airport Director Ivar C. Satero said in a release.

OAK is undeterred.

Ahead of the April 11 meeting of the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners, the airport issued a release citing that it has the strong support of its major airlines, including Southwest Airlines, Volaris, and Spirit Airlines.

Is it OK for both SFO & OAK airports to have ‘San Francisco in their names?

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The Port of Oakland, which operates Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK), wants to add “San Francisco” to its official name to raise awareness about its location on the San Francisco Bay.

If the plan goes forward, the new name will be San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport instead of Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK).

The airport code OAK and the airport’s visual branding will stay the same.

“Market research and interviews with airline partners have shown that routes have not performed as well as they should have due to the lack of geographic awareness, making air carriers reluctant to sustain and add new routes in Oakland,” said Port of Oakland Interim Director of Aviation Craig Simon.

Here’s a short video explaining OAK’s name modification plan. Port Commissioners will vote on the plan at their April 11, 2024, Port Board meeting. If they approve it, OAK staff will start moving forward with the formal renaming.

SFO: “Not so fast, OAK”

As you may imagine, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) isn’t happy with another airport adding ‘San Francisco’ to its name.

“SFO has operated since 1927 and has used the name ‘San Francisco Airport’ or ‘San Francisco International Airport’ for most of its history, making it immediately recognizable to customers,” SFO director Ivar C. Satero said in a release. “Given this history, we anticipate the new name being considered by the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport will cause confusion for the public, either through a misunderstanding of its physical location or its perceived relationship to SFO. This concern is only compounded considering SFO’s status as a major international gateway.”

What do you think? Should SFO and OAK both have “San Francisco in their names?

At the Airport: private workplaces that also work for napping

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Jabbrrbox has installed two of its private workspace pods by Gate 25 in Terminal 2 at Oakland International Airport (OAK).

Each booth has a desk and seating, Wi-Fi, USB charging, flight-tracking tools and terminal maps.

There’s also a built-in photobooth app – for entertainment, we assume.

You may see these Jabbrrbox booths elsewhere. Booths are also installed at Laguardia Airport’s Terminal B, in JFK Terminal 4, in Terminal B at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in Concourse B and in Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) in Concourses B and C.

The private work (or napping) spaces rent in 30-minute increments. Cost is $15 per 30 minutes. A Wi-Fi password and a door code are provided at the time of reservation.

Stuck at the airport: news from LAX, FAT and OAK

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Lovely LAX

Here’s a lovely spring report from Los Angeles International Airport.

Heavy rains have left behind a rare super bloom of wildflowers.

LAX reports that the flowers are located across the airfield complex, with the highest concentration on the north airfield – between runways 24L and 24R. The bouquet of flowers spreads along the length of those runways, approximately 10,885 feet.

New arts lounge at Fresno Yosemite International Airport

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) has added an arts lounge to its art exhibitions program.

Over the past year, the program has expanded to include larger works of art, live music performances and a partnership with a local art gallery featuring local photographers.

Travelers love the offerings so far. So the airport is adding more features. FAT’s new arts lounge has tables and chairs, couches, charging ports and “offers a friendly airport environment for travelers,” said FAT’s Director of Aviation, Kevin Meikle.

Showing now: Leslie Batty’s large scale works, including a painting of Lewis Carroll’s Alice Through the Looking Glass and “Projections” by John Moses, a series of photography images blending iconic films with ghostly images from some of Hollywood’s most acclaimed films.

Oakland International Airport celebrates Southwest Airlines first flight to Hawaii

On Monday, the first Southwest Airlines flight to the Hawaiian Islands arrived in Honolul after leaving Sunday evening from Oakland International Airport.

Scores of passengers, airline and airport staff, officials and hula dancers crowded Terminal 1 at the Oakland International Airport for a send-off of the long-awaited launch of Southwest Airlines’ inaugural service from the US Mainland to Hawaii.

And there was cake.