Walmart aims to expand drone delivery service in 2027

Walmart plans to expand its drone delivery network to seven additional cities by 2027, increasing coverage to more than 40 million U.S. customers. The retailer and its drone partner Wing will operate delivery drones in Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Salt Lake City, joining existing service in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and Charlotte. FAA approval for operations after sunset enables deliveries of packages up to five pounds, with drones reaching customers within six to ten miles of participating stores. Customers access the service via the Walmart app or Wing's app. Walmart and Wing describe the network as the nation's largest residential drone-delivery system, offering thousands of items, including groceries and electronics. Non-Walmart+ members are charged $20 per order for a limited time, while Walmart+ members can use the service for free during that promotional period. Wing launched its service with Frisco, Texas, in September 2023, and faces competition from Flytrex, DroneUp, Amazon Prime Air, and Zipline as the market expands.