SEATAC, Wash. — Walking through an airport can be a pain for anyone with mobility issues. Daunting long distances may even discourage some from traveling by plane.
Escorted wheelchair service has been a free option at SEA Airport for years. However, Alaska Airlines is turning to automation to offer their customers a new transportation option: self-driving wheelchairs.
Under Alaska's new four-month pilot program, the main difference for customers is that once they are past security, they can get in an electric, autonomous, motorized wheelchair to go straight to their gate. Stops at shops or bathrooms are not permitted.
"We're testing 10 total autonomous wheelchairs," said Celley Buchanan, Alaska Airlines' Vice President of Airport Operations and Customer Service.
The carrier is conducting this pilot program only in their hometown airport. They are about 60 days into trials, meaning they are now halfway through their pilot program.
"We've supported about 3,000 trips for guests throughout just the C and the D concourse,” said Buchanan.
The electric wheelchairs are developed by a company called Whill.
The wheelchairs have sensors that can identify people or obstacles in their path, and they will stop. It even has an automated voice that comes over a speaker, saying, "Excuse me, please step aside.”
Buchanan calls them an "enhancement" to their current offerings.
"Sometimes, when you have limited mobility, it can feel like a little bit of a loss of independence, and this gives you the ability to have that independence," said Buchanan.
She didn’t share how much they cost but said, "They’re not outrageously costly.”
After taking customers to their gates, the wheelchairs are programmed to return to their comfort station by themselves.
A flight attendant named Bonna Booth posted a video to social media of a wheelchair traveling the halls without an occupant. She called them "Ghost wheelchairs going by.”
Booth told KING 5 Wednesday that she is concerned that the chairs would replace the jobs of wheelchair escorts, who she says are often kind and hard-working.
"Just worried for those people. Hopefully, it’s in addition to-- and not replacing," said Booth.
Buchanan clarified that the current plan is to keep their partnership with the wheelchair escort company, recognizing that the autonomous chairs may not be a good fit for everyone.
"We'll continue to have individuals that will be providing that support throughout the airport," she said.
Customers shared their thoughts with KING 5.
One said, "I feel like a VIP!"
Another said, "It doesn’t go fast enough," looking at her watch. "I don’t want to miss my flight.”
Buchanan said the wheelchairs go just one mile per hour. The average walking speed is three miles per hour.
In December, Alaska will make decisions on whether to keep-- or even expand-- the program.
"It's a learning for everybody. It's a learning for us, and a learning for our guests to understand if this is the right product," said Buchanan.
Airports in Amsterdam, Los Angeles, and Miami are also seeing the use of self-driving wheelchairs in their concourses.