Waymo robotaxis can now pick up and drop off riders at Harry Reid International Airport for current Las Vegas users

What happened

Waymo's driverless ride service in Las Vegas has been cleared to operate at Harry Reid International Airport, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. The company announced the change Wednesday. For now, the option is open to people who already use Waymo in Las Vegas.

Waymo launched paid service in Las Vegas in September, according to the Review-Journal. The company plans to open airport rides to more customers in the near future but has not given a specific date in the reporting.

How airport rides will work

Pickup and drop-off locations

Riders can book trips in and out of the Ground Zero Level of Terminals 1 and 3, the Review-Journal reported. That covers both directions, so travelers can use the service to reach a flight or to leave the airport after landing.

Where the service operates

Waymo runs within a 24-square-mile service area, according to the Review-Journal. That area is centered mainly on the resort corridor and also reaches some outlying spots, including Chinatown, Allegiant Stadium and the area near UNLV.

The vehicles

The rides use Waymo's sixth-generation Ojai vehicle, which relies on a mix of radar, lidar, cameras and external audio receivers, the Review-Journal reported. The custom-built vehicles seat four passengers and have elevator-style doors. Three large LED screens inside let riders control various parts of the trip.

A second robotaxi company at Reid

Waymo is the second autonomous ride-hailing service approved to serve Reid airport, according to the Review-Journal. Zoox won approval in early September.

For related coverage, see our story on the private owners-only terminal NetJets opened at Harry Reid. More on new projects around the valley is in our development section.

What officials said

James Chrisley, Clark County's director of aviation, said in a statement that the airport serves millions of passengers every year and is always looking for ways to bring new options to travelers as technologies evolve. "Welcoming Waymo is another step toward giving our passengers more choices in how they get to and from the airport," Chrisley said, as quoted by the Review-Journal.

Arica Gately, Waymo's head of airport business development and partnerships, called the addition a milestone for both the company and the airport, the Review-Journal reported. In a statement, she said fully autonomous rides offer "a seamless, stress-free way for travelers to catch a flight or hit the town." She also thanked the airport for partnering with the company.

Who can ride for now

According to the Review-Journal, the airport option is currently available to existing Waymo Las Vegas users. The company said it will open airport service to more customers in the near future. The service area described in the reporting is centered mainly on the resort corridor, with some outlying areas such as Chinatown, Allegiant Stadium and near UNLV.

What to watch next

• When Waymo opens airport rides to more customers, which the company says will happen in the near future, according to the Review-Journal.
• Who can book airport trips in the meantime: for now, the Review-Journal reported, the option is limited to current Waymo Las Vegas users.