Walmart is taking delivery to the skies, literally, the retail giant just announced a major expansion of its drone delivery service, promising shoppers in five major U.S. cities a faster, more futuristic way to get their orders. And it’s happening at 100 stores.
The company says this new rollout brings drone delivery into the mainstream, offering shoppers the chance to receive essentials in 30 minutes or less, dropped straight into their driveway or backyard, no human driver required.
Here’s everything you need to know, including where it’s launching and how to use it.
Where Is Walmart Expanding Drone Delivery?
Walmart’s drone program, launched in 2021, is now going big. Starting this summer, the service will expand to stores in:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Houston, Texas
- Orlando, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
These five cities will join Dallas, Texas, and Bentonville, Arkansas, where drone deliveries have already become part of the local shopping routine. With this rollout, Walmart is now bringing drone service to 100 total store locations.
What Can You Order by Drone?
According to Walmart, drones will deliver items like:
- Forgotten grocery essentials (milk, eggs, snacks)
- Health and wellness products
- Urgent items like baby formula, cold medicine, or COVID tests
- Household basics like soap, paper towels, or cleaning supplies
The drone delivery option pops up during online checkout if your address is eligible. The company says these deliveries will mostly cover items that are small, lightweight, and needed quickly.
How Does It Work?
If you’re within a drone-eligible delivery zone, here’s how to place a drone order:
- Log in to your Walmart.com account
- If eligible, you’ll see a Drone Delivery option on the checkout screen
- Add items to your cart like usual
- Choose Delivery from Store
- Select Drone Delivery and your desired time slot
- Complete checkout
The drone then flies to your home and gently lowers the package by cable into your yard or driveway. You can even track the flight on your phone.
Walmart says the drop zone must be clear of pets, people, and obstacles to complete the delivery safely.
Who’s Behind the Tech?
The drone deliveries are powered by Wing, a drone company owned by Alphabet (Google’s parent company). Wing’s CEO Adam Woodworth said this isn’t a pilot test anymore, it’s real.
“People all around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex have made drone delivery part of their normal shopping habits over the past year,” he said. “Now we’re excited to share this ultra-fast delivery experience with millions more.”
What If There’s a Delay?
If a drone delivery gets delayed, customers will receive a text update with the option to reschedule or cancel. Refunds on delivery fees and tips are also possible if the drop can’t happen due to weather or technical issues.
Why Is Walmart Doing This?
Walmart says this is about one thing: convenience. With more shoppers expecting speed and flexibility, drones help eliminate the wait. The company has already completed over 150,000 drone deliveries since 2021.
“Drone delivery is just one of the many ways Walmart is accelerating convenience,” the company said. “This marks a major leap for the retail industry and underscores our commitment to innovative, time-saving solutions.”
How to Check If You’re Eligible
To find out if you’re in the new drone zone:
- Visit wing.com (Wing’s official website)
- Enter your home address to see if delivery is available
- Or wait for a notification if you’re in a rollout city and already shop via Walmart.com
Walmart says shoppers in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa should sign up with Wing to get alerts about when drone delivery officially opens in their area.
What’s Next?
As drone tech becomes more normalized, experts expect more cities to be added. Walmart is investing heavily in this tech-first future, aiming to offer drone delivery as a core service, not just a novelty.
If you live in one of the rollout cities, keep an eye on your yard, your next order might just land from the sky.
