The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) scored serious bragging rights. It's been named among the "World's Most Beautiful Airports" for 2025 by the prestigious Prix Versailles, in partnership with UNESCO. The design of the now-celebrated Harvey Milk Terminal 1 was specifically spotlighted for its blend of sustainable design, artwork, and honoring the legacy of the civil rights icon. "This facility was designed to be extraordinary in every way… as a place of relaxation, a place of sustainable design and operation, a place of inspiring artwork and museum exhibits, and a place to share the story of pioneering civil rights leader Harvey Milk," SFO's Airport Director Mike Nakornkhet described, per the San Francisco International Airport's website.
According to the Prix Versailles Secretary General Jérôme Gouadain, airports are increasingly central to international exchange, making their design and functionality top priorities. "The mark left by airports stems chiefly from their ever-growing role in international exchanges," Gouadain said, as cited by SFO. As the frontline of our travels, properly managing the relentless flow of people and planes while making them into works of art is a formidable but worthwhile challenge.
Harvey Milk Terminal 1's development wasn't an overnight sensation; it opened in stages. First, in July 2019, passengers were welcomed to the new departure gates. By April 2020, even more gates and an exterior Harvey Milk sign were up for the world to see. The third phase added a connector to the International Terminal in May 2021, and finally, come June 2024, visitors got to experience an expanded security checkpoint and additional gates.
