Waymo Launches Airport Rides at Las Vegas Harry Reid International

Waymo announced on Wednesday that it has begun shuttling customers to and from the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. The autonomous ride-hailing service is operating out of dedicated “autonomous vehicle zones” located at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, marking a significant expansion of its infrastructure in the Nevada city.

The company stated that these airport rides will initially be limited to a small number of riders. After this initial phase, Waymo plans to open the service to all customers. This launch follows the company’s broader entry into the Las Vegas market, which began offering public rides in September.

Context and Background

Waymo now serves a 24-square-mile area within Las Vegas, according to the company’s announcement. The Las Vegas airport is the sixth major airport where Waymo offers rides. The company already provides autonomous transportation at Phoenix Sky Harbor, Nashville International, San Antonio International, San Francisco International, and San José International airports.

This expansion places Waymo in direct competition with other autonomous vehicle operators in the region. Amazon-owned Zoox already offers rides at the Las Vegas airport. Additionally, the regulatory environment in Nevada is shifting to support more robotaxi operators.

Who Is Affected

The immediate impact is on travelers using Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at Harry Reid International Airport. These passengers can now access Waymo’s autonomous vehicles for pickups and dropoffs, subject to the initial capacity limits. The service is part of a growing trend of autonomous vehicle integration into major transportation hubs across the United States.

According to TechCrunch, state regulators approved permits in August that will allow Tesla and Uber to deploy thousands of robotaxis on Las Vegas streets over the next year. This suggests a rapidly evolving landscape for autonomous transportation in the city, with multiple players vying for market share.

What should you do?

Travelers planning to use Waymo at the Las Vegas airport should check the app for real-time availability and designated pickup zones. Since the service is initially limited, riders should expect potential wait times or capacity restrictions. It is advisable to allow extra time for airport transfers during this launch phase.

What to do and how to stay safe: Waymo

• Check the Waymo app for current service availability and specific pickup locations at the airport.
• Allow extra time for airport transfers, as the service is initially limited to a few riders.
• Monitor official announcements for updates on when the service opens to all customers.
• Verify that your destination falls within Waymo’s 24-square-mile service area in Las Vegas.

Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the Waymo pickup zones located at the Las Vegas airport?

Pickups and dropoffs happen at dedicated autonomous vehicle zones at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.

Is Waymo service available to all customers immediately at the airport?

No, the rides will be limited to just a few riders at first before opening up to all customers.

How many airports does Waymo serve now?

This is the sixth major airport that Waymo is serving, including locations in Phoenix, Nashville, San Antonio, and San Francisco.