San Francisco-based Wingz, which focused on service strictly to airports, is adding service to several Texas airports, including Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Wingz is now offering service at the following Texas airports:
• Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
• Dallas Love Field (DAL)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
“Every day, travelers across the country depend on Wingz to get them to and from the airport safely and on time,” said Chris Brandon, CEO at Wingz. “We’re excited to usher in a new era of customer-focused ground transportation across Texas and introduce travelers to an unprecedented personal airport transportation experience.”
The Wingz move into Texas marks the latest expansion for the growing company. Most recently, Wingz announced operations in Seattle and San Diego, and now offers full service airport transportation at major U.S. airports along the West Coast and Central United States. Wingz is also offered via travel site Expedia, one of the company’s backers along with Altimeter Capital, and Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff.
Wingz says its drivers are handpicked, vetted and provided with a $1 million liability insurance policy.
Uber and Lyft have suspended ride-hailing service in Austin after voters decided against overturning city requirements that include fingerprint-based background checks for their drivers.
The Austin American-Statesman (http://atxne.ws/1T794yk ) reports that the two companies suspended service Monday morning. Nearly 56 percent of voters rejected a proposition Saturday that would have repealed rules the Austin City Council approved in December.
Under the rules, drivers must undergo fingerprint-based background checks by Feb. 1, 2017. Uber and Lyft prefer name-based checks. Their vehicles must be identified for hire and they cannot stop in traffic lanes for passenger drop-offs and pick-ups.
The companies messaged their customers Monday to say they are not operating in Austin.
Uber and Lyft had poured nearly $9 million into their campaign to overturn the rules.