Ruth Haines
Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving vehicle developer, has been making moves to bring its autonomous vehicles to airports. In 2022, Waymo launched a driverless service at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, marking a significant milestone as the first airport in the world to offer travellers the option of autonomous transportation to and from the airport. Since then, Waymo has been working to expand its airport presence, with San Francisco International Airport becoming the second US airport where the company operates. While Waymo has faced some challenges and political obstacles in certain locations, such as SFO, the trend towards autonomous airport transportation is gaining traction. Waymo's presence at airports has the potential to revolutionize travel, providing passengers with a convenient, innovative, and fun way to start their journeys.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports where Waymo is available | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, San Francisco International Airport |
| Availability at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | Terminal pickup and dropoff available 24/7 at Terminals 3 & 4, Level 1, outer curb, south door #8 (near arrivals) |
| Availability at San Francisco International Airport | Currently, Waymo has only been granted a temporary permit to map roadways at the facility. |
| Waymo vehicles | Fully electric Jaguar I-PACE |
| Waymo service type | Autonomous commercial ride-hail service |
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What You'll Learn
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers Waymo rides
- San Francisco International Airport has granted Waymo a temporary permit
- Waymo's service includes designated terminal rideshare and electric vehicle pickup areas
- Waymo's autonomous vehicles are equipped with a safety driver behind the wheel
- Waymo's self-driving vehicles have been in operation since 2017
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers Waymo rides
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, America's Friendliest Airport®, has become the first airport in the world to offer travellers the ability to take a Waymo autonomous vehicle as a means of transportation to and from the airport. This service is currently available 24/7 to Trusted Testers participants, who can ride in Waymo's fully electric Jaguar I-PACE equipped with the fifth-generation Waymo Driver.
Pickups and drop-offs occur at the 44th Street PHX Sky Train® Station, where travellers can take the free PHX Sky Train® to the terminals. The Sky Train® operates every 3-5 minutes and takes just 5 minutes to reach the terminals. Waymo riders can also enjoy redesigned in-car screens, displaying contextual details like stop signs and objects shown through lidar point clouds, providing a clearer understanding of the Waymo Driver's perception of its surroundings.
Waymo's strong partnership with the City of Phoenix and Sky Harbor has enabled the company to provide quality transportation options to both travellers and residents. This expansion builds on Waymo's previous launch of a public ride-hail service in Phoenix, which was the first of its kind with no human behind the wheel. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego praised the initiative, stating that "Phoenix leads the nation in demonstrating autonomous vehicle technology, science, and safety," and that "the future of travel is here."
Waymo riders can now access an additional 90 square miles of Metro Phoenix, bringing the total autonomous ride-hail territory to 315 square miles across The Valley. This expanded service area stretches further into North Phoenix, including popular destinations such as Desert Ridge. Waymo has also introduced a new option for curbside drop-off at PHX, providing even more flexibility for travellers.
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San Francisco International Airport has granted Waymo a temporary permit
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has granted Waymo a temporary permit to map roadways within the airport premises. This permit, which came into effect in mid-March 2025, is a significant milestone for Waymo, marking a turnaround from its failed attempt to secure a similar permit in 2023.
The temporary access agreement is valid for 30 days and allows Waymo to conduct controlled mapping of the airport's roadways. This mapping is a crucial step towards Waymo's eventual goal of operating commercially at SFO, providing transportation services to and from the airport for millions of travellers each year. Waymo vehicles will not operate autonomously during this mapping phase and must be driven by human drivers at all times. Additionally, the permit limits the number of vehicles to two and prohibits the carriage of public passengers during the mapping process.
This development is part of San Francisco's strategy to enhance its economic recovery and attract global tourism. By granting this permit, the city demonstrates its commitment to embracing new technologies and improving the transit experience for visitors and residents alike. Local labor leaders have praised Mayor Daniel Lurie's leadership in bringing together various stakeholders and creating a responsible implementation framework that considers safety, job impact, and community concerns.
While this permit is a positive step forward, Waymo still needs to obtain a ground transportation permit to operate commercially at SFO fully. The company will need to go through a lengthy approval process, including separate approval from the San Francisco Airport Commission, before achieving its goal of providing autonomous vehicle transportation at the airport. Waymo has expressed its excitement about this mapping permit, stating that it brings them one step closer to serving customers travelling to and from San Francisco.
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Waymo's service includes designated terminal rideshare and electric vehicle pickup areas
Waymo is a self-driving vehicle developer owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google. Waymo vehicles have been available at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport since 2022. Initially, passengers could only be picked up and dropped off at the 44th Street PHX Sky Train Station, away from the main terminal. In 2024, Waymo expanded its service to include 24/7 curbside pickup and drop-off at Terminals 3 and 4. Passengers can use the Waymo One app to book rides and will be given specific dwell times to load into vehicles.
Waymo has also been working to expand its services to San Francisco International Airport. In March 2025, the company was granted a temporary permit to map roadways at the airport, bringing it a step closer to operating its self-driving taxis there. However, there has been some opposition to Waymo's presence at the airport due to concerns about traffic congestion and the company's need to obtain the necessary permits and approvals. Despite these challenges, Waymo continues to work towards bringing its services to San Francisco International Airport.
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Waymo's autonomous vehicles are equipped with a safety driver behind the wheel
At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Waymo has been offering a unique service with its autonomous vehicles. The airport became the first in the world to provide travellers with the option of using a Waymo autonomous vehicle as transportation to and from the airport. This service includes pickups and drop-offs at designated terminals, providing convenience and ease for passengers.
While Waymo's autonomous vehicles are highly advanced, the presence of a safety driver is a crucial aspect of their operations. The safety driver serves as a backup to the self-driving technology, providing an additional layer of security and confidence for passengers. In the event that the autonomous system encounters an unusual situation or requires assistance, the safety driver can intervene and take control of the vehicle.
Waymo has taken a thoughtful approach to introducing their autonomous vehicles to airports. Initially, they started with less busy areas of the airport, such as the "Sky Train" stations, and gradually expanded their service. This strategy allowed them to test and refine their technology while ensuring the safety and satisfaction of their passengers.
As Waymo continues to develop its autonomous technology, the role of the safety driver may evolve. In the future, Waymo plans to remove the safety driver from the vehicle entirely once a certain milestone is achieved, such as a specific number of incident-free rides. However, until that point, the safety driver remains an integral part of Waymo's autonomous vehicles, ensuring the safety and reliability of their airport transportation service.
Overall, Waymo's autonomous vehicles equipped with safety drivers represent a significant step forward in transportation technology. By combining advanced self-driving capabilities with the oversight of a trained safety driver, Waymo offers a unique and innovative travel option for individuals travelling to and from airports. This blend of automation and human supervision sets Waymo apart and contributes to a safer and more efficient travel experience.
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Waymo's self-driving vehicles have been in operation since 2017
Waymo, formerly known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project, is an American autonomous driving technology company. Its self-driving vehicles have been in operation since 2017, when the company began testing in areas with harsher conditions, such as winter testing in Michigan.
In October 2017, Waymo started testing minivans without a safety driver on public roads in Chandler, Arizona. The company has come a long way since its early testing days, which focused on areas without harsh weather, extreme density, or complicated road systems. Waymo's testing has covered a significant number of miles, with 636,868 miles reported in autonomous mode in 2017 alone.
In 2020, Waymo became the first company to offer a service to the public without safety drivers in the vehicle. As of 2025, the company operates commercial robotaxi services in several cities across the United States, including Phoenix, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, and Austin.
One notable implementation of Waymo's self-driving vehicles is at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where travelers can take a Waymo autonomous vehicle to and from the airport. This service is available at Terminals 3 and 4, with pickups and drop-offs at the 44th Street PHX Sky Train Station, allowing travelers to connect directly to the terminals.
While Waymo has made significant progress in the self-driving car space, there are still some limitations. For example, in San Francisco, Waymo has faced political challenges that have prevented them from operating at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Additionally, some users on Reddit have expressed concerns about the readiness of self-driving cars and the potential for higher costs and longer travel times compared to traditional taxis.
Despite these challenges, Waymo continues to innovate and expand its services, partnering with automotive companies that share their sustainability values to integrate their autonomous technology into electric vehicle platforms.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take Waymo to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Pickups and drop-offs occur at Terminals 3 and 4, which are available 24/7 at level 1, outer curb, south door #8 (near arrivals).
Yes, San Francisco International Airport has granted Waymo a temporary permit to map roadways at the facility. This brings Waymo a step closer to operating its self-driving taxis at the airport.
Yes, Waymo is not allowed at SFO in San Francisco due to political reasons.
