Driverless trips to Orlando International Airport could be getting closer after Waymo successfully completed test runs to and from the airport.
The autonomous ride-hailing company is now waiting for final approval from airport officials before it can begin transporting passengers there, according to WFTV. No launch date for airport pickups or drop-offs has been announced.
Waymo already offers service elsewhere in Orlando and recently expanded into neighborhoods including College Park, Lake Como, Belle Isle, and Pine Castle. The company says Orlando residents can currently request rides through its app within the approved service area.
The possibility of airport service generated mixed reactions in an Orlando Reddit discussion. Some residents welcomed another transportation option, especially one that does not involve tipping or interacting with a driver.
“They need to expand the range to be useful in Orlando, but I used it a few times and it was great,” one rider wrote.
Another commenter was more enthusiastic, arguing that human drivers already create plenty of danger on Orlando’s roads. “I’m tired of bad human drivers, and I’m all for killing the tipping culture,” the resident said.
Others remained unconvinced. Recent videos appearing to show Waymo vehicles running red lights or becoming stranded in traffic have contributed to local safety concerns. One commenter responded to the airport testing with a simple warning: “Waymo problems inbound.”
Another imagined a malfunction adding to the congestion surrounding MCO: “Can’t wait for the entrance to be gridlocked all the way out onto Semoran for one lost and confused Waymo.”
Supporters countered that confused tourists already cause similar airport delays. One resident who previously used Waymo at an Arizona airport said the experience worked well because passengers were dropped at a nearby transportation connection rather than directly at the terminal.
Waymo’s tests suggest MCO is moving closer to joining its Orlando network. Whether travelers embrace that option may depend on how reliably the vehicles handle one of Central Florida’s busiest and most stressful destinations.
