Who Knew? Archive

Did you know that Air India set a world record by flying a Boeing 777 from New Delhi to San Francisco and back with an all-female crew, just in time for International Women's Day on March 8, 2017?

Did you know that Benjamin O. Davis became the first black general in the U.S. Air Force in 1954? General Davis retired in 1970 and in 1975 President Ford appointed him Assistant Secretary of Transportation. In 1999 President Clinton
advanced him to the rank of four-star general.

Did you know that, despite the overwhelming heroism and success of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, the first Black pilots hired by American commercial airlines weren’t hired until nearly two decades later? David Harris by American Airlines in 1964 and Marlon Green for Continental in 1965, following a discrimination lawsuit by Green against Continental, which was decided by the Supreme Court in 1963. 

Did you know that in 1921 Bessie Coleman became the first licensed black pilot in the United States? She received her training in France because no American flight school would admit her. She died in 1926 at the age of 33 during a test flight for an air show. 

Did you know that, each year in February, Americans observe National Black History Month to pay tribute to the generations of Black Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society? SFO is proud to celebrate Black History Month, with a special focus on recognizing the achievements and contributions of Black Americans in the broader field of aviation and at our airport—from groundbreaking aviators and artists to our own team members and business partners. 

Did you know that the Airbus A380 is the largest passenger jet in the world?  With typical seating for 525 passengers, the aircraft can accommodate a maximum certified capacity for 853 passengers and has a range of 8,000 miles.

Did you know that, in October 2021, SFO announced it had joined dozens of aviation companies around the world in a commitment to phase out fossil jet fuel by 2050? In November 2021, SFO received an award from Airports Going Green® (AGG), the aviation industry’s leading forum on sustainability, for its efforts to introduce and advance the use of sustainable aviation fuel.

Did you know that in January 2021, SFO installed placards in every public restroom stall to encourage victims of human trafficking to seek help? Victims are able to obtain immediate help 24 hours a day/7 days a week. 

Did you know that January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month?  Human trafficking, the illegal trade of human beings for exploitation or forced labor, is the second largest international crime – an industry that generates billions of dollars of illegal profits each year. An estimated 20 to 30 million people are victims of human trafficking globally. Airports are key points of access for traffickers and SFO has been on the forefront of the airport industry to bring awareness to this very important issue. 

Did you know that the first episode of the video series “Inside SFO” debuted in February, 2013?  There have been 35 episodes in total, with the most recent episode (Coast Guard) released just this month.