DoorDash Gets Approval for Its Own Food Delivery Drones

FOX Business correspondent Madison Alworth talks about food delivery by drones in New Jersey.

Your next DoorDash order might come by air, not by car. DoorDash now has permission from the FAA to operate its own drone delivery service. The company has started DoorDash Air, its own drone program.

The app you use for food and groceries is now in the airline business. But don't expect a DoorDash drone at your house tomorrow. The company still needs more approvals and hasn't said where it will start.

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Air taxis can cut commute times from hours to minutes, but the price might shock you.

DoorDash Air will use its own drones to deliver food, medicine, and other essentials.

DoorDash got FAA certification on July 29, 2026. The company is the eighth drone operator to get this type of federal air carrier certificate. The FAA uses this certification for companies that carry other people's property for payment.

To get certified, a company goes through a five-phase FAA review. The FAA checks the company's aircraft, maintenance, and safety program. Even after getting certified, a company still needs airspace authorization and might need exemptions for flights beyond sight.

Anyone who has waited for a hot meal to arrive can understand why drones are a good idea. DoorDash says over 20% of its orders in 2025 were between three and five miles. These orders took nearly 25% longer than shorter trips.

DoorDash blames part of the delay on finding a driver for mid-range orders. A driver might prefer shorter deliveries near a busy area instead of one longer trip. A drone could take the longer order while a driver does another delivery.

DoorDash says its drone deliveries took about 25 minutes on average in 2025. The company also says some locations saw order volume rise by roughly 30%. This increase continued for nine weeks after the pilot began.

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DoorDash will keep working with drone partners like Alphabet's Wing as it designs its own aircraft.

That is the same group behind DoorDash's Dot delivery robot.

DoorDash says its drone will be designed and built in the US. Most of its parts will also come from the US. The company hasn't revealed the drone's range or final design yet.

DoorDash says its drivers will still handle most deliveries. A drone can't walk into a building or carry a large order upstairs. It also might struggle with bad weather.

Instead, DoorDash wants its platform to choose the best method for each order. The platform can assign a driver or an autonomous option like a drone.

For example, a small order to a suburban house might fit a drone. A large grocery order to a high-rise apartment will likely need a person.

FAA certification gives DoorDash the legal foundation to operate an air carrier. But it doesn't mean unlimited drone flights in every city. DoorDash hasn't announced its first markets or timeline.

Longer autonomous routes may require FAA approval for beyond sight operations. Local rules and community concerns can also affect where hubs are built. Noise could be a major issue.

Early service will likely remain limited to selected areas. Suburban neighborhoods with predictable routes and open spaces may be easier than dense urban blocks.

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DoorDash says drones will handle select orders while drivers continue making most deliveries.

DoorDash drone delivery could shorten waits for small, urgent orders. But availability will depend on where you live and the order's weight and size.

You should also look at the final cost. DoorDash hasn't said if its new service will carry a separate fee or change how tipping works.

Think of DoorDash Air as an important step toward wider service. The federal certificate gives DoorDash the regulatory foundation to operate its own commercial drone delivery service.

DoorDash has spent years learning how to move orders through streets. Now it wants to control what happens in the sky. FAA certification gives DoorDash Air a serious start.

Would you trust a DoorDash drone to lower dinner into your yard? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Kurt 'CyberGuy' Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who loves technology and gadgets. He writes for Fox News & FOX Business. Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter at CyberGuy.com.

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