DoorDash receives FAA Part 135 certification, launches in-house drone delivery service DoorDash Air

DoorDash is launching its own drone delivery service, positioning the company as a competitor to some of the same drone operators it currently partners with.

FAA Certification and Service Launch

DoorDash announced Wednesday that it has received a Part 135 air carrier certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), authorizing the company to operate its own commercial drone-delivery service. DoorDash is the eighth drone operator in the United States to obtain this certification.

The service, named DoorDash Air, is expected to begin commercial deliveries in fall 2026, according to a company spokesperson.

Technology and Infrastructure

"We're building the full stack to make that possible — from the ground infrastructure to the drone itself, and the handoff systems that make it work together seamlessly," said Harrison Shih, head of DoorDash Air, in a statement.

DoorDash is developing the aircraft through DoorDash Labs, the same in-house robotics team behind Dot, its ground-delivery robot. The company is also building the routing, safety, maintenance, and merchant-handoff systems required to operate the service.

Existing Drone Partnerships

DoorDash is not new to drone delivery. The company has already completed "tens of thousands" of drone deliveries through partnerships with operators including Alphabet's Wing and Flytrex.

A DoorDash spokesperson confirmed that both partnerships remain active, and the company recently expanded its collaboration with Wing to metro Atlanta in April.

Competitive Dynamics

DoorDash Air will allow the company to operate its own aircraft on the same delivery network as its partners. The spokesperson emphasized that DoorDash wants "more operators, not fewer" and described its drones as an additional option that would strengthen the network.

When asked whether DoorDash's drones could eventually replace partner-operated routes, the company did not provide a direct answer.

"We are excited to continue working with our drone partners," the spokesperson said. "DoorDash Air adds another delivery mode, and having multiple drone options to build resilience and grow the overall opportunity for local businesses, not split it."

Autonomous Delivery Platform

DoorDash's Autonomous Delivery Platform will act as the dispatcher, selecting among drivers, drones, Dot, and other delivery options based on factors including:

• Speed
• Cost
• Location
• Experience

The spokesperson noted that DoorDash Air could reduce delays for orders traveling 3 to 5 miles. DoorDash reports that such orders take nearly 25% longer than shorter trips due to the time required to find the right Dasher and cover the additional distance.

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