Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego takes the first ride to the airport in a Waymo autonomous vehicle.

Dec. 16, 2022

PHOENIX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, America’s Friendliest Airport^®, has set another milestone today with Waymo launching fully autonomous vehicle service to the general public at Phoenix Sky Harbor. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego arrived today at the 44th Street and Washington PHX Sky Train^® Station via a Waymo vehicle to launch the new service. This set a global milestone as Phoenix Sky Harbor became the first airport in the world to offer travelers the ability to take a Waymo autonomous vehicle as a means of transportation to and from the airport.

“Phoenix is leading the future of mobility and modernizing how the world will experience travel,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “The exciting technology offers our customers an additional option for traveling to the airport in a clean, sustainable, and technologically advanced mode of transportation. The future has arrived in Phoenix!”

Waymo announced today that it is doubling the Waymo One service area in Downtown Phoenix. The expansion connects the airport service to a large swath of the downtown area, offering safe and convenient mobility options to Phoenicians and travelers alike.

In early November, Waymo began offering its Trusted Tester participants the opportunity to take autonomous rides to and from downtown Phoenix and the airport with an autonomous specialist in the vehicle. Now, Waymo has removed the autonomous specialist from the vehicle, and anyone can hail a Waymo to ride between the airport and downtown Phoenix.

From left, Director of Aviation Services Chad Makovsky, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, and Waymo’s Global Head of Policy and Government Relations Michelle Peacock arrive to Phoenix Sky Harbor via a Waymo autonomous vehicle. Phoenix Sky Harbor became the first airport in the world to offer travelers the ability to take a Waymo autonomous vehicle as a means of transportation to and from the airport.

Rides are available 24 hours, seven days a week 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 travelers can hop on the free PHX Sky Train^® direct to the terminals. Trains arrive and depart every few minutes.

This new service comes two years after Waymo opened its fully autonomous commercial ride-hailing service, Waymo One, to the public in the East Valley of Phoenix; and builds on the company’s strong partnership with the City of Phoenix.

Quotes from Phoenix City Council

“The future is in Phoenix, and I’m proud that Waymo chose Phoenix to be the first city to offer driverless technology to the flying public. This has been possible because we’ve shown a commitment to be innovative and good partners with businesses looking to try creative approaches to today’s challenges. It’s that dedication that sets Phoenix and Sky Harbor apart.”

Councilwoman Ann O’Brien, District 1

“Sky Harbor long has used technology to make flying more accessible and to empower our passengers; however, they choose to travel. With the addition of Waymo’s autonomous vehicles, we’ve again shown a commitment to providing cutting-edge options to the traveling public.”

Councilwoman Debra Stark, District 3

“Phoenix is truly the country’s center of innovation. We are the first city in the world to offer autonomous vehicle service to our airport, and the fleet is also fully electric. While we also work to expand and electrify our transit system, Waymo is a valuable partner in the future of clean, efficient, and reliable mobility.”

Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari, District 7

“Through this partnership with Waymo and the power of technology, Sky Harbor is making strides to let residents and visitors travel the way they want. Autonomous vehicles can provide safe, affordable transportation to those who need it most.”