DoorDash has launched its own in-house drone delivery operation, DoorDash Air, after receiving Part 135 air carrier certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration. This makes it one of just eight operators approved to run commercial drone deliveries, joining established players such as Wing, Amazon's Prime Air and Flytrex, and marks a shift from its previous approach of relying solely on third-party drone partners.

The drones and supporting infrastructure were built by DoorDash Labs, the same team behind its Dot delivery robot, with the company saying the majority of components were designed and made in the US. DoorDash noted that over 20% of its orders last year fell within the three-to-five-mile range, which typically took nearly 25% longer to fulfil than shorter trips, and it hopes drones will absorb many of these mid-range deliveries, freeing human drivers to focus on quicker, nearby jobs. An "Autonomous Delivery Platform" will decide whether a human driver, drone or Dot robot handles each order, and DoorDash still plans to work with partners like Wing and Flytrex, aiming to begin commercial drone deliveries this autumn.