DoorDash Wins FAA Approval to Launch Its Own Drone Fleet

Getting your favorite meal delivered by drone just became a real possibility for millions of Americans.

DoorDash announced it earned Part 135 air carrier certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, a rigorous approval that allows the San Francisco company to operate its own fleet of delivery drones. Only seven other drone operators in the country have cleared the demanding five-stage federal safety process.

The new program, called DoorDash Air, represents years of behind-the-scenes work. DoorDash passed extensive testing on aircraft airworthiness, maintenance programs, safety procedures, and hazardous materials handling before getting the green light.

"We want drone delivery to work for any merchant, anywhere," said Harrison Shih, head of DoorDash Air. The company is building everything from the drones themselves to the ground infrastructure that hands off orders from restaurants to aircraft.

DoorDash already partners with Wing for some drone deliveries, but building its own fleet gives the company more control. The drones will be designed and built in the U.S. using mostly American-made components.

Early tests show real promise. In 2025 pilot programs, drone deliveries averaged just 25 minutes from order to doorstep. Participating locations saw order volume jump by roughly 30%, with that boost lasting nine weeks after launch.

The drones tackle a specific challenge in DoorDash's network. More than 20% of orders travel three to five miles, which takes nearly 25% longer than shorter trips because finding drivers for mid-range deliveries is harder. Drones can handle those longer hauls while human Dashers focus on quick nearby deliveries.

The company also unveiled Dot last year, an autonomous sidewalk robot for local deliveries. Together, DoorDash is building what it calls a "multimodal delivery network" where software routes each order to the most efficient option, whether that's a person, robot, drone, or autonomous vehicle.

Why This Inspires

This isn't just about faster food delivery. Small restaurants often struggle to reach customers beyond their immediate neighborhood because longer deliveries eat up time and money. Drones could help local businesses compete with bigger chains by expanding their delivery radius without adding costs.

The technology also creates a smarter system overall. When drones handle mid-range orders, human delivery drivers can complete more trips per hour by staying in dense restaurant areas. That means more earning potential for Dashers and faster service for everyone.

DoorDash plans to share more details about where and when customers can expect drone deliveries at its Dash Forward event this September.

The sky's the limit for local restaurants ready to reach hungry customers in new ways.