Narrative:

After taxiing across runways 1L and 1R; we were instructed to hold short of runway 28L. There was a line-up of departure aircraft for runways 1L and 1R; and a steady stream of arrivals for runway 28L and 28R. While we waited; holding short of runway 28L; for approximately 15 minutes; a single controller was handling all arrivals; departures; and hold short operations. She was task saturated; working hard to keep up with traffic; as evidenced by several late landing clearances; minimum spacing between arrivals and departures on intersecting runways; and difficulty getting aircraft to exit the active runways where she wanted. After waiting approximately 15 minutes; we were instructed to cross runway 28L and hold short of runway 28R. The interval with arrival traffic was minimal; so we read back clearance and started to taxi forward. At my request; copilot called to reconfirm clearance. Not receiving a reply and/or confirmation; we stopped the aircraft a few feet past the hold-short line. After a short delay; the tower controller advised that we were not cleared to cross runway 28L. We immediately informed her that we were 'across the hold-short line' (by several feet); based on our previous clearance to cross 28L. No response was received. The aircraft on final approached landed; and we again informed the tower controller that we were past the hold-short line. At that time; the controller sent the aircraft on final around and cleared us to cross runway 28L and hold short of runway 28R. We departed shortly thereafter.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B777 Captain reported a runway incursion at SFO when they misunderstood a taxi clearance.

Narrative: After taxiing across runways 1L and 1R; we were instructed to hold short of Runway 28L. There was a line-up of departure aircraft for runways 1L and 1R; and a steady stream of arrivals for runway 28L and 28R. While we waited; holding short of Runway 28L; for approximately 15 minutes; a single controller was handling all arrivals; departures; and hold short operations. She was task saturated; working hard to keep up with traffic; as evidenced by several late landing clearances; minimum spacing between arrivals and departures on intersecting runways; and difficulty getting aircraft to exit the active runways where she wanted. After waiting approximately 15 minutes; we were instructed to cross Runway 28L and hold short of Runway 28R. The interval with arrival traffic was minimal; so we read back clearance and started to taxi forward. At my request; copilot called to reconfirm clearance. Not receiving a reply and/or confirmation; we stopped the aircraft a few feet past the hold-short line. After a short delay; the Tower Controller advised that we were not cleared to cross Runway 28L. We immediately informed her that we were 'across the hold-short line' (by several feet); based on our previous clearance to cross 28L. No response was received. The aircraft on final approached landed; and we again informed the Tower Controller that we were past the hold-short line. At that time; the controller sent the aircraft on final around and cleared us to cross Runway 28L and hold short of Runway 28R. We departed shortly thereafter.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.