All About Robotic (Autonomous) Airport Wheelchairs

I was walking through Seattle Tacoma International Airport a couple months ago and saw an empty robotic wheelchair heading down the concourse in the opposite direction. Intrigued by this, I took a few photos and the short video I share below and started researching. WHILL is the only operator of robotic (autonomous) wheelchairs in U.S. airports and is the largest operator globally. I spoke with Shane Bogni, WHILL’s Vice President of Business Development in North America, via phone to learn more.

(Last updated August 24, 2025)

Home » Transportation » All About Robotic (Autonomous) Airport Wheelchairs

Picture of several robotic wheelchairs parked at airport gate

What

Robotic or autonomous wheelchairs are now in several airports across the world. These are self-driving wheelchairs that follow a pre-designed route through the airport to deliver travelers to their gates. They are seen as a supplement to wheelchairs being pushed by a human (called pushers), not as a replacement. WHILL estimates 70%-80% of airport travelers using wheelchair services use them for way finding and/or because they have challenges walking long distances. The International Air Transport Association estimates that a third of air travels will require physical assistance by 2038. As more travelers are projected to need mobility assistance in the coming years, autonomous wheelchairs are seen to help assist in meeting that demand.

Where

WHILL has contracts with Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG), Narita International Airport (NRT), Haneda Passenger Airport (HNT) and with airlines at Miami International Airport (MIA) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Pilot programs are ongoing with Alaska Airlines at Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), Rome-Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) and recently announced Munich Airport. Participating airlines include Alaska Airlines and American Airlines.

These wheelchairs are available at LAX to transport travelers between terminal 4 and the international terminal (TBIT). At MIA, this service is available between concourses D and E. At SEA, these wheelchairs can transport travelers between concourses C and D. See the links in the resources section at the end of this post for more information on locations within other airports.

New as of April 2025: WHILL announced they are launching a pilot program at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). Unifi Aviation that supplies ground assist for Delta Airlines is trialing these robotic wheelchairs. See the news release here.

As of August 2025, WHILL is now at the Munich Germany airport (MUC) in Terminal 2. This is a partnership between the airport (Flughafen München) and Lufthansa. Learn more in the news release.

An autonomous wheelchair heading down the airport concourse.

How and When to Use

Travelers request an autonomous wheelchair either when booking a flight, by contacting the airline or requesting one at check-in. The companies contracted with the airlines to provide wheelchair assistance (i.e G2 for Alaska Airlines and Envoy Air for American Airlines), then chose between an autonomous wheelchair, a wheelchair with a pusher or an electric cart based on the needs of the traveler and availability.

Note: In the United States, airlines are responsible for wheelchair transport. In other countries such as Canada and Japan and in the European Union, it is the responsibility of the airport. This is why only specific airlines offer this at LAX, MIA, and SEA, while a traveler on any airline can use a robotic wheelchair in a participating airport in other countries.

These wheelchairs are located within the secure areas of the airport. Travelers need to be able to get through airline check-in/bag drop and security first prior to using the robotic wheelchair. Each airline has a “comfort zone” that is staffed by an employee who confirms the flight and gate and gets the traveler situated with an autonomous wheelchair. The wheelchair will take the traveler to their gate within 30-40 minutes of the flight’s departure to minimize the risks of a last-minute gate change. Upon arrival at the gate, the traveler is expected vacate the wheelchair to proceed directly to boarding or to sit in a chair in the gate area. The wheelchair then drives itself back to the “comfort zone” or to meet another traveler. The traveler is responsible to manage their luggage as well as to walk on the jet bridge and onto the airplane independently.

These wheelchairs have a bin behind the seat to stow carry-on luggage, a large foot platform, arm rests and a seat belt. The wheelchair alerts other travelers of its presence and asks them to move aside if they get in the way of the wheelchair’s automated route. You can see in the video earlier in this post how the wheelchair slows down briefly as it senses people walking close by.

What Robotic Wheelchairs Can and Cannot Do

Arriving and Connecting Flights

Trials at SEA are underway and will start soon at MIA to assist travelers arriving from a flight and for making connections. WHILL is now fully integrated with AvTech, which coordinates and dispatches wheelchair pushers for most U.S. airlines. This now allows for the option to deploy the autonomous wheelchairs for arrivals and connections.

Elevators

This capability is emerging but not readily available. WHILL notes that the wheelchairs do use elevators at both airports in Japan. They expect this to expand soon to other airports.

Trams/Buses

At this time, these wheelchairs cannot transport travelers to terminals that require bus or tram transfers.

“Stop-by Function” Capabilities

WHILL autonomous wheelchairs have the capability to make stops at bathrooms, shops, coffee shops, etc within an airport. Providing this function, however, is at the airline or airport’s discretion. If airlines are trying to quickly turnover wheelchairs for travelers, this function will not likely be available. Plan to use the bathroom prior to using these wheelchairs or after arriving at the gate.

Level of Assistance

A traveler who chooses to use this option needs to be able to walk short distances, stand in line at security and lift their carry-on luggage in and out of the wheelchair’s bin. If these activities are difficult for you, requesting a wheelchair with a pusher will be your best option. If you can walk short distances and manage your luggage but do not enjoy navigating through crowds and/or have difficulty walking long distances, an automated wheelchair could be a great option.

Thoughts

I think we will continue to see these services grow in terms of both number of locations and in their capabilities. These wheelchairs are also a good option for someone who recently had surgery and is cleared by their physician to travel but does not quite have the energy yet to get through the airport on foot. Have you used one of these robotic wheelchairs through an airport? Email me at [email protected] to let me know your thoughts! I hope learning about this new option to navigate the airport has been helpful for your future travel plans!