San Francisco International Airport is Now Open to Waymo's Autonomous Rides
In a significant development for the tech-savvy city of San Francisco, the airport has given its green light to Waymo, allowing select passengers to take an autonomous ride to and from SFO. The move comes after a pilot program launched in September 2025 to ensure the safety of operations at the airport.
As part of this new initiative, Waymo will be providing passenger pickups and drop-offs at the Rental Car Center Level 1 Curbside, accessible by the AirTrain. This strategic location aims to minimize any potential disruptions to roadway traffic around the terminals.
However, not everyone is thrilled about the new option. The San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance has expressed concerns over Waymo's performance during a recent power outage in the city, where several vehicles got stuck in intersections. The alliance's spokesperson, Evelyn Engel, urged Waymo to provide answers regarding their performance during the incident before receiving further permission to expand their services.
Waymo has already been testing autonomous rides on Bay Area freeways since November and was authorized to operate at San Jose Mineta International Airport as early as December, where passengers could be dropped off via Waymo. This latest development adds another innovative transportation option for residents and travelers heading to or from SFO, emphasizing the airport's status as a gateway for visitors worldwide.
With this new service now available, San Francisco Mayor Lurie stated that it brings "a safe, reliable, and convenient way to get to and from San Francisco," supporting the city's continued economic recovery.
In a significant development for the tech-savvy city of San Francisco, the airport has given its green light to Waymo, allowing select passengers to take an autonomous ride to and from SFO. The move comes after a pilot program launched in September 2025 to ensure the safety of operations at the airport.
As part of this new initiative, Waymo will be providing passenger pickups and drop-offs at the Rental Car Center Level 1 Curbside, accessible by the AirTrain. This strategic location aims to minimize any potential disruptions to roadway traffic around the terminals.
However, not everyone is thrilled about the new option. The San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance has expressed concerns over Waymo's performance during a recent power outage in the city, where several vehicles got stuck in intersections. The alliance's spokesperson, Evelyn Engel, urged Waymo to provide answers regarding their performance during the incident before receiving further permission to expand their services.
Waymo has already been testing autonomous rides on Bay Area freeways since November and was authorized to operate at San Jose Mineta International Airport as early as December, where passengers could be dropped off via Waymo. This latest development adds another innovative transportation option for residents and travelers heading to or from SFO, emphasizing the airport's status as a gateway for visitors worldwide.
With this new service now available, San Francisco Mayor Lurie stated that it brings "a safe, reliable, and convenient way to get to and from San Francisco," supporting the city's continued economic recovery.