WHILL Autonomous Service Expands North American Footprint with Alaska Airport Debut
NANA Management Services (NMS) and Alaska Airlines bring WHILL Autonomous Service to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, enhancing accessibility for Alaska Airlines passengers.
13 Apr 2026
Anchorage, Alaska, April 13, 2026 — WHILL, Inc., a global leader in autonomous mobility services, announced the launch of its autonomous wheelchair service at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), marking a significant milestone in the company's North American expansion. The service, launched in partnership with NANA Management Services (NMS) and Alaska Airlines, started March 31, 2026, bringing self-driving mobility assistance to travelers at one of Alaska's most vital transportation hubs.
The deployment at ANC represents the first autonomous mobility assistance program at the airport, giving Alaska Airlines guests a new level of independence and confidence as they navigate the terminal. WHILL autonomous wheelchairs are designed to offer travelers a seamless journey through the airport from curb to gate with the support of trained NMS staff.
“This program is about dignity and independence in travel,” said Clinton Lasley, VP Food, Facilities, & Maintenance for NMS. “Whether a passenger is traveling with limited mobility, recovering from an injury, or simply needs assistance navigating a busy terminal, WHILL autonomous wheelchairs help travelers move at their own pace—with support from our trained team.”
“By bringing autonomous mobility assistance to the Anchorage airport, we’re advancing accessibility and the guest experience,” said Marilyn Romano, Regional VP Alaska for Alaska Airlines. “As a vital hub for Alaska, this innovation ensures Alaska Airlines guests have safe, dependable options from curb to gate and complements the accessibility services we provide today.”
“Anchorage represents an important step in expanding access to autonomous mobility in North America,” said Shane Bogni, President, WHILL Autonomous Service, North America & EMEA. “Our goal is to give passengers more independence and confidence as they move through the airport, while also helping our partners deliver more consistent and reliable service, especially during peak travel periods.”
WHILL's autonomous mobility service is purpose-built for public spaces such as airports and hospitals, where accessibility and reliability are paramount. At ANC, the service addresses both operational demands and passenger experience, helping NMS and Alaska Airlines maintain consistent service levels during high-volume travel periods while giving passengers greater independence over their airport journey.
Travelers who can benefit from the service include those with limited mobility, passengers recovering from injury, or anyone who needs assistance navigating a busy terminal environment.
How the Service Works at ANC
- Request wheelchair assistance through Alaska Airlines at the time of booking, prior to arrival, or upon entering the terminal.
- Visit an NMS assistance kiosk in the terminal, where NMS team members will coordinate wheelchair services.
- Eligibility screening. On site, NMS staff will screen passengers to confirm they meet the mobility requirements for use of the autonomous devices.
- TSA support and transition. Passengers will be assisted through the TSA screening process and then transferred to a WHILL autonomous wheelchair.
- Guidance and education. NMS agents will provide instruction so passengers can use the technology safely and confidently.
A Growing Presence Across North America
The ANC launch builds on WHILL's established network of autonomous mobility deployments across airports and public venues in North America and internationally. By partnering with service providers like NMS and carriers like Alaska Airlines, WHILL continues to advance its mission of delivering fun and innovative mobility for all.
For more information about WHILL Autonomous Service, visit our website.
About NMS
NMS provides essential support services for business throughout Alaska and across North America. As an Alaska Native-owned company and certified Minority Business Enterprise, NMS is built on a culture of safety, support, and working together with our partners to provide service solutions to our clients.
Our operations began 50 years ago on the North Slope during the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. We now deliver services that include security, facilities management, custodial and environmental solutions, food and restaurant management, remote camps and tribal services. NMS is a limited liability company, owned by NANA North and Sodexo Alaska, LLC.
About Alaska Air Group
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, and McGee Air Services is a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. We are a global airline with hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. We deliver remarkable care as we fly our guests to more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. We'll serve Europe beginning in spring 2026. Guests can book travel at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com. Alaska is a member of the oneworld alliance, with Hawaiian scheduled to join oneworld in spring 2026. With oneworld and our additional global partners, guests can earn and redeem points for travel to over 1,000 worldwide destinations with Atmos Rewards. Learn more about what’s happening at Alaska and Hawaiian at news.alaskaair.com. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as “ALK.”
About WHILL, Inc.
Established in 2012, WHILL provides personal mobility products and services in approximately 30 countries. WHILL enhances accessibility in locations such as airports, hospitals, theme parks, cruise ships, and convention centers. The company's offerings range from electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters to self-driving devices, designed to give users greater mobility and independence through advanced technology.
To learn more, visit https://whill.inc.