Walmart is significantly expanding its drone delivery program, with plans to launch operations from 100 stores across five major U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa. This expansion will bring the service to a total of five states—Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas—broadening the reach of Walmart’s efforts to compete in the fast-growing, tech-driven delivery landscape.
Customers in these areas will be able to place drone delivery orders through the Wing app, operated by Walmart’s drone delivery partner. Each drone can deliver within a six-mile radius of participating stores, and orders are typically fulfilled in 30 minutes or less. Frequently delivered items include essentials such as eggs, ice cream, pet food, and over-the-counter medications.
This move is part of Walmart’s larger push to modernize its logistics network and compete more aggressively with Amazon on convenience. With over 4,600 stores across the U.S., Walmart is leveraging its nationwide footprint to make deliveries faster and more accessible. The company already offers a range of delivery options, including Express Delivery, InHome delivery directly into customers’ refrigerators, and same-day prescription services.
Greg Cathey, Walmart U.S. senior vice president for transformation and innovation, stated that customer demand is driving the expansion. He noted that users often place urgent, last-minute orders—highlighting the growing expectation for speed and reliability in retail fulfillment.
More than half of the roughly 150,000 items stocked in a typical Walmart store can be delivered via drone. However, nationwide implementation has faced challenges. A previous rollout intended to serve 4 million households across six states failed to meet initial targets. Since 2021, Walmart has completed over 150,000 drone deliveries, a modest figure given earlier projections.
Amazon’s drone ambitions have also faced slow progress. The company has tested its Prime Air drone service in limited locations but paused deliveries earlier this year due to technical issues.
Walmart’s current drone operations are active at 21 sites in Arkansas and Texas, powered by Wing and Zipline. A prior contract with DroneUp concluded last year. The financial terms of Walmart’s drone partnerships remain undisclosed.
Kieran Shanahan, chief operating officer of Walmart U.S., emphasized that drones are just one component of a broader logistics ecosystem. The company is also focusing on rapid ground delivery to maximize customer convenience.
Customers who order via the Wing app receive drone deliveries free of charge. In the Dallas area, Walmart is testing integration of drone options within its own app, where drone delivery costs $19.99 or is included with a Walmart+ membership.
