Alphabet-owned autonomous driving company Waymo has begun offering robotaxi trips to and from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for a select group of riders, marking a strategic expansion into one of the most lucrative segments of the ride-hailing market.
Waymo said on Thursday that access to SFO will initially be limited, with a broader rollout planned over the coming months. Pick-ups and drop-offs are currently restricted to the airport’s Rental Car Center, which is connected to terminals via the AirTrain system. The company said it plans to expand service to additional airport locations, including terminals, in later phases.
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“Serving rides to and from San Francisco International Airport delivers one of the most requested features for our riders,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-chief executive of Waymo, in a company blog post. She added that the service is intended to meet rising travel demand tied to major events in the region.
Airport access represents a significant milestone for Waymo, bringing its autonomous vehicles into direct competition with established ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Lyft on high-volume, premium routes. Industry analysts view airport trips as among the most profitable for ride-hailing operators due to longer distances and consistent demand.
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The move follows Waymo’s rollout of freeway driving in the San Francisco Bay Area in November 2025, a technical prerequisite for airport operations given the high-speed routes and complex interchanges required to reach SFO. The company has previously introduced airport services at San Jose Mineta International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, making SFO its third major airport integration.
Waymo’s expansion comes as the company continues to scale operations across the United States, increasing fleet size and geographic coverage while adding more complex driving environments. Its robotaxis now operate across much of the San Francisco Bay Area, parts of Silicon Valley, and selected zones in cities including Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta and Miami.
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The phased rollout at SFO reflects a cautious approach to expansion, allowing Waymo to test operations with a limited user base before wider deployment. If successful, the airport service could strengthen Waymo’s position as autonomous vehicles move from pilot programmes toward broader use in everyday transportation.
