DoorDash & Flytrex

Over the past decade, food delivery by drone has moved from pilot testing to mainstream expansion. Some of the earliest large-scale experiments took place in Australia, where Google’s Wing and Domino’s partnered in 2016 to deliver pizzas to suburban neighborhoods. The success of these trials demonstrated how drones could bypass traffic and shorten delivery times. Inspired by those results, companies in the United States soon began testing their own systems. One of the most notable early programs was conducted by Uber Eats, which flew drones carrying meals across San Diego as part of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved trial.

The Rise of Drone Food Delivery in the United States

As part of that initiative, Uber created a dedicated aerial mobility unit known as Uber Elevate, which oversaw both drone delivery and urban air taxi development. In San Diego, Uber Elevate partnered with McDonald’s and local restaurants such as Juniper & Ivy to test how drones could fit into a hybrid delivery model. The aircraft carried meals to designated pickup points where ground couriers completed the final handoff. Uber explained at the time that the system was designed to “solve the last 100 feet of drone delivery” by having drones transport food close to customers’ locations rather than directly to their doorsteps. The approach was praised for blending safety with efficiency and set the stage for later large-scale delivery partnerships.

Similarly, DoorDash has partnered with Wing in earlier U.S. trials for drone deliveries and is now expanding its reach through a partnership with Flytrex. Recently, the companies announced a new pilot program serving customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, specifically in Little Elm and Frisco. Customers can order from dozens of restaurants through the DoorDash app between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., with meals flown directly to their homes. The program covers more than 30,000 households and reaches over 100,000 residents. Flytrex has also been operating drone delivery programs in North Carolina, which will continue alongside the new expansion in Texas.

“Drone delivery offers suburban families exactly what they’re looking for”

  
Flytrex was founded in 2013 by Yariv Bash and Amit Regev, initially producing GPS trackers before shifting its focus to drone delivery in 2016. Headquartered in Tel Aviv, the company has established itself as one of the leading names in suburban drone logistics. It entered the U.S. market in 2018 with its first operations in North Carolina and has steadily expanded since then. “Drone delivery offers suburban families exactly what they’re looking for,” explains CEO Yariv Bash, “speed, affordability, and convenience. Your food arrives hot or cold as intended, and you get contactless delivery right to your backyard.”

The company’s flagship model, the Flytrex FTX-M600P, has been designed specifically for last-mile food delivery. It can carry payloads of up to 6.6 lbs, with upgraded versions expected to raise capacity to 8.8 lbs. The drone can complete five-mile round trips and cruises at speeds of about 32 miles per hour, ensuring that meals reach customers in less than five minutes. The cargo chamber is built to accommodate standard restaurant orders such as burgers, drinks, or small grocery items, and deliveries are lowered by wire while the drone hovers at a safe altitude.

Why Drone Delivery is Faster and More Affordable for Consumers

With advancements in drone capabilities along with progression in regulatory frameworks, everyday drone deliveries through companies like DoorDash are more accessible than ever. Industry leaders have noted that aerial systems offer advantages that extend beyond speed, creating cost efficiencies at the same time. Harrison Shih, head of DoorDash’s drone program, explained the appeal by saying, “Think about ground shipping versus air shipping. When you choose to get something faster, generally it costs more. Drone delivery has this unique thing where it moves both of those curves in the same direction.” Delivery drones are positioned to disrupt traditional logistics models by offering a rare combination of speed and affordability, making them an attractive option not just for restaurants and retailers but also for consumers seeking convenience at lower prices.

The Flytrex and DoorDash collaboration aims to expand drone delivery to more neighborhoods across the Dallas-Fort Worth area and eventually to other U.S. cities. The partners are focused on increasing delivery speed, improving payload capacity, and integrating more restaurants into the service. By combining Flytrex’s drone technology with DoorDash’s logistics network, the program seeks to make aerial delivery a seamless part of everyday life, reducing reliance on ground vehicles and providing faster, more convenient options for customers, transforming last-mile deliveries into scalable solutions with drones.

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