Waymo Launches Autonomous Employee Rides At SFO Airport

Waymo’s robotaxis now shuttle employees to and from San Francisco International Airport without a human driver. Why it matters: This Phase 2 milestone puts Waymo one step closer to offering public robotaxi service at the Bay Area’s busiest airport.

The Details

• Waymo announced on X that starting December 9, 2025, employees can take fully autonomous rides to and from SFO.
• Rides are currently limited to Waymo employees and designated airport staff during this testing phase.
• Pickups and dropoffs occur at SFO’s Kiss and Fly area, requiring an AirTrain ride to reach terminals.
• Public commercial rides are “coming soon,” pending successful Phase 2 completion.
• SFO is the second California airport to host Waymo operations, following San Jose Mineta International.

By The Numbers

• Phase: 2 of 3 (employee testing)
• Fleet vehicle: Jaguar I-PACE electric SUV
• Weekly Waymo trips (U.S.): 250,000+
• SFO app searches (Dec 2024): 13,366
• Bay Area rider interest in SFO service: 89%
• Other airport with Waymo service: Phoenix Sky Harbor (fully commercial)

EVXL’s Take

Waymo’s SFO expansion represents the company’s methodical approach to conquering high-value markets while Tesla scrambles to expand its Robotaxi app internationally. Airport service is lucrative territory. Uber and Lyft collect approximately $50 million annually in SFO fees alone, and Waymo wants that revenue stream.

The cautious three-phase rollout contrasts sharply with Waymo’s aggressive expansion elsewhere. The company now operates in Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, and Atlanta, with Miami, Dallas, and Washington D.C. launches planned for 2026. SFO’s regulatory gauntlet took years to navigate, but public rides could arrive by early 2026 if Phase 2 proceeds smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can the public ride Waymo to SFO now? No. Only Waymo employees and airport staff can use the service during Phase 2 testing.
• Where do Waymo pickups occur at SFO? At the Kiss and Fly area near the rental car center, requiring an AirTrain connection to terminals.
• When will public Waymo rides to SFO be available? Waymo says “coming soon” but has not announced a specific Phase 3 launch date.