Google's sister company, Wing Aviation LLC, first launched its drone delivery operations in Frisco in 2021, after piloting its first commercial drone delivery service in Virginia two years prior. Now, it's expanding in North Texas even more with big plans for 2025.
First Of Its Kind Expansion
Wing Aviation recently announced its partnership with DoorDash and Brookfield Properties to bring ultra-fast drone delivery to North Texas. Starting Dec. 19, 2024, the service will debut at Brookfield Properties’ Stonebriar Centre in Frisco and Hulen Mall in Fort Worth, marking the first time a service of this kind has been offered at American shopping malls.
What To Expect
More than 50 merchants will offer drone delivery through the DoorDash app. Wing’s highly automated drones are capable of delivering items and meals to doorsteps in as little as 15 minutes.
Flying at speeds of up to 65 mph and a cruising height of approximately 150 feet, the drones safely lower deliveries to the ground upon arrival. With five years of U.S. operations and over 400,000 commercial deliveries worldwide, Wing continues to revolutionize package delivery.
Starting today, DoorDash customers with eligible addresses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can choose drone delivery for qualifying orders at checkout. Once selected, the order will be prepared, packaged, and promptly delivered by a Wing drone. Currently, the drone delivery service is only available in certain areas surrounding the Stonebriar Centre and Hulen Mall. To see if your address is eligible, visit wing.com/doordash.
How Frisco Became A Drone Delivery Pioneer
Wing established a drone delivery facility in the mixed-use development of Frisco Station and launched its service with Walgreens in late 2021, offering "store-to-door" delivery to the west side of the city. This marked the first commercial drone delivery service in a major U.S. metro area.
Then, in August 2023, the company announced an expansion of its service area to include parts of central and east Frisco — partnering with Walmart to extend its reach across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The first new location for this expanded service is the Walmart Supercenter at 8555 Preston Rd. in Frisco.
“This is an exciting next step for our customers, as it provides even more access to a convenient, innovative and – most importantly – super speedy way to get the items they need,” Walmart said at the time. “The outlook is clear for drone delivery: The sky really is the limit.”
The Future Of Drone Delivery In Collin County And Beyond
Wing plans to expand its package delivery services in the North Texas area in 2025. As part of the proposed expansion, the company aims to increase the number of network nests from 25 to 75 within the area. These nests would be situated in commercially zoned locations, such as shopping centers, large retailers and malls, with additional locations yet to be determined. Wing also seeks to extend its operational hours from the current end time of 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., beginning at 7 a.m. each day.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently inviting public comments on a draft supplemental environmental assessment regarding Wing's proposed expansion of unmanned aircraft commercial package delivery operations. The deadline for submitting comments is 5 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2025.
Why This Matters
According to delivery service provider Drop Off, drone delivery is not only faster than traditional methods, but more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Drone delivery systems cut operational costs by eliminating human drivers and reducing fuel consumption. Their ability to navigate urban areas efficiently further lowers expenses. Environmentally, electric drones produce fewer carbon emissions than traditional vehicles, supporting greener logistics and appealing to eco-conscious businesses and consumers.
Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.
