Could the process of getting to the airport on time be changing? It appears the answer in the age of apps is maybe. Atlanta's airport has recently changed its plans to build an eight-story parking garage in favor of a smaller four-story model, leading many to wonder if the drive and park model of getting to the airport is changing. Why a change? The answer is because of the rise of ride hailing apps, like Lyft and Uber, that make it simple to summon a ride whenever you need it. When a ride hailing app can get you to the airport for a few dollars, freeing you from having to spend much more to park for the duration of your trip, the better option seems clear.
Why Ride Hailing Apps? Because They're Easy
The easiest way to travel is to have someone drop you at your gate and pick you up again when you are done. This eliminates the struggle of pulling your suitcase from the parking garage to the airport's entrance, hoping that your car is secure during your trip and fighting to find it again when you return. Apps like Lyft and Uber allow you to simply head to the designated pickup zone for your airport, punch in your request and get an on-time driver ready to pick you up. With pickup vehicles of all shapes and sizes, these companies can accommodate groups of all sizes. It is really simple, and often more affordable than paying a daily or weekly parking fee.
Airports Aren't So Sure
Of course, airports aren't all embracing the ride hailing app as an option to get people to and from their facilities. Some are worried about the lost income from parking garages, while others are concerned with the traffic headaches that these drivers create. To combat this, some have banned the services altogether, while others, like the Asheville Regional Airport, charge hefty fees both to the parent company and to the driver for each trip.
According to Uber, there are over 300 airports around the world that currently accept Uber drivers to drop off and pick up at their locations. Many have designated pickup spots, like the Boston airport or the Palm Springs International airport. These pickup spots are designed to make it easy for drivers and riders to find each other while minimizing the impact that the extra traffic has on the airport. The list of airports that accept these ride hailing apps is constantly changing, but both Uber and Lyft keep an updated list on their respective websites.
Interestingly, some of the world's busiest airports have banned Uber and Lyft altogether or impose strict fees and regulations on the drivers, such as requiring drivers to have chauffeur's licenses to pick up through the app. American airports that do not accept either service include:
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Buffalo Niagara International Airport
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Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
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Kahului Airport
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Southwest Florida International Airport
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Honolulu International Airport
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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
In addition, several airports accept one ride hailing service, but not the other. For example, the Kansas City International Airport and Tampa International Airport will accept Uber, but not Lyft, while the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Ontario International Airport accept Lyft and not Uber.
Before heading out on your next flight, check to see what the current policies are for ride sharing apps at the airports you will be using. It just may be that you'll have a cheaper and easier way to get to and from the airport, and you can leave your car behind.
