San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has given Waymo the green light to begin deploying its autonomous ride-hailing service. The program will unfold in three distinct phases designed to ensure safety before the public gains access.
According to SFO officials, the first stage will allow Waymo vehicles to operate with a safety driver behind the wheel but without passengers. The second phase moves to fully driverless operations, restricted to Waymo employees and airport staff.
Only in the final stage will paying customers be able to request rides through the company’s app. No specific timelines were announced, but weekly check-ins between Waymo and airport officials will determine how quickly the company advances through each phase.
At SFO, passenger pickups and drop-offs will initially be limited to the “Kiss and Fly” area near the rental car center, requiring riders to take the AirTrain to reach their terminals. The company has suggested that other pickup points may be explored in the future.
SFO is not Waymo’s first airport. The company has already been operating for nearly three years at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and is preparing to launch at San Jose Mineta International Airport later this year. Talks with Oakland International Airport are also underway.
Waymo’s progress comes as Tesla has been actively seeking approval to operate its robotaxi ride-hailing service at Bay Area airports, including SFO, Oakland, and San Jose.
Waymo is coming to SFO! The airport has approved a pilot permit to begin autonomous rides. This rollout will happen in phases—and we’ll keep you updated every step of the way until anyone can request a @Waymo ride right from @flySFO. pic.twitter.com/FiDovEOw4Y
— Daniel Lurie 丹尼爾·羅偉 (@DanielLurie) September 16, 2025
