San Francisco and Oakland have resolved a legal dispute lasting two years, allowing Oakland to incorporate “San Francisco” in its airport’s name as “Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport.” However, the agreement prohibits highlighting “San Francisco” or “San Francisco Bay” through various means such as fonts, colors, or emphasis. Instead, it mandates the use of “Bay” immediately after “San Francisco” and restricts the use of “International,” despite the airport offering international flights.
The conflict arose in 2024 when Oakland, perceived as the underdog compared to its affluent neighbor, changed its airport’s name to “San Francisco-Oakland Bay Airport,” prompting a lawsuit from San Francisco citing trademark infringement.
Oakland officials justified the name change as a means to assist travelers unfamiliar with the region in locating the city within the Bay Area. They noted that visitors often mistakenly arrive at San Francisco’s airport when their destination is closer to Oakland’s airport across the bay, with the airport code OAK remaining unchanged.
Mary Richardson, representing the Port of Oakland, expressed pride in Oakland’s efforts to maintain the airport’s full name, emphasizing Oakland’s primary position and its location on the San Francisco Bay.
San Francisco contended that including “San Francisco” in Oakland’s airport name could lead to traveler confusion, particularly for international visitors and those unacquainted with the Bay Area. However, San Francisco officials struck a conciliatory tone upon announcing the resolution, emphasizing the agreement’s role in providing clarity for travelers choosing between the two airports.
The agreement did not assign blame to either party, and no financial compensation was involved. Oakland’s airport is situated approximately 20 kilometers east of San Francisco and 48 kilometers from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).