San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is gearing up for a tech-forward boost with the introduction of Waymo's fully autonomous vehicle service. According to a news release from the airport, travelers will soon have the chance to hail a self-driving car directly from SJC's terminals A or B, adding a layer of convenience to their journey.
Waymo, the self-driving unit born from Alphabet’s innovation hothouse, has been granted the official nod to commence operations within the airport's domain. The program is slated to open to the public later in the year, starting with trials involving company employees. The Bay Area airport is poised to become California's first and second global airport to integrate this futuristic transport option directly into flyers. "It's the perfect time for Waymo’s autonomous vehicles to begin to roll into San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley," San José Mayor Matt Mahan told the airport's news outlet.
Waymo shared their update regarding the partnership with SJC, posting on social media, "We’re cleared for takeoff at @FlySJC! 🛫 We’ll soon begin fully autonomous testing at the airport ahead of offering commercial rides later this year." This venture marks a significant step in autonomous vehicle integration within the region known for its tech industry.
We’re cleared for takeoff at @FlySJC! 🛫 We’ll soon begin fully autonomous testing at the airport ahead of offering commercial rides later this year. https://t.co/mPgVZpJzAc pic.twitter.com/GmIqGhRcoj
— Waymo (@Waymo) September 4, 2025
Jennifer Maguire, San José City Manager, expressed her excitement about the service, noting its alignment with the region's culture of innovation: "I am thrilled Waymo will offer passengers a new innovative option in how passengers travel to and from the San José Mineta International Airport (SJC)," she said in the statement obtained by the airport’s press channel. This sentiment was echoed by Annabel Chang, Waymo's Head of U.S. State and Local Public Policy, who recognized the airport as a natural choice for deploying its technology.
With San José at the heart of upcoming massive sporting events in 2026, the addition of Waymo's services aims to streamline the experience for visitors and locals alike. Mookie Patel, Director of Aviation at San José Mineta International Airport, highlighted the simplicity and accessibility of SJC's layout as advantageous for adopting such technologies: “Waymo’s impending presence here speaks to the ease and simplicity of SJC’s design and layout and the local infrastructure that supports Waymo’s technology,” Patel elucidated in a release by SJC.
