Uber will begin testing drone deliveries for its Uber Eats platform in select U.S. markets by the end of 2025, in partnership with Israeli drone startup Flytrex.
The company confirmed that the deal includes a small investment in Flytrex, though Uber told Bloomberg News the investment was “not material.”
The move signals a renewed focus by Uber on aerial logistics, a technology the company first experimented with in 2019 but later abandoned amid regulatory hurdles and shifting priorities. At the time, Uber had launched its “Elevate” aviation division to explore drone deliveries and air taxis, but the unit was sold to Joby Aviation in 2020.
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Now, Uber is re-entering the skies at a time when U.S. regulators are loosening restrictions on drone flights beyond the line of sight, and as aerial delivery slowly gains traction as part of the broader logistics industry.
Flytrex has become one of the most active players in the U.S. drone delivery space, with more than 200,000 deliveries completed across suburbs in North Carolina, Texas, and other states. It already works with DoorDash, Uber Eats’ largest U.S. competitor, giving it a track record in scaling drone logistics for food and retail deliveries.
Under the partnership, Uber Eats customers in pilot markets will be able to order food and groceries that can be dispatched by drone. While details of the test cities have not yet been disclosed, industry analysts expect the program to start in suburban areas where drone routes are easier to manage than in dense urban environments.
Uber’s Renewed Tech Bet
The drone initiative comes as Uber doubles down on futuristic transport partnerships. The company has been working with Alphabet’s Waymo to integrate self-driving robotaxis into its ride-hailing app in Atlanta and Austin, while also pledging to bring Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxis to its platform in the next few years.
The company is positioning itself at the intersection of automation and logistics by layering drones into Uber Eats. If successful, the move could shorten delivery times and cut costs in a sector where margins are notoriously thin.
A Second Chance at the Sky
Uber first trialed drone food deliveries in San Diego in 2019, but the program was short-lived due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restrictions and the company’s decision to prioritize core ride-hailing operations during its path to profitability.
The environment has shifted since then. The FAA has begun expanding test zones for commercial drone operations, and companies like Zipline, Wing (owned by Google parent Alphabet), and Flytrex are pushing aerial logistics closer to mainstream adoption.
Uber’s re-entry into drones also reflects intensifying competition in the U.S. food delivery market. DoorDash, Grubhub, and Instacart have all been experimenting with automation, including delivery robots and aerial systems. DoorDash, in particular, has leaned on its own partnership with Flytrex to test drone deliveries, meaning Uber will now share a technology partner with its closest rival.
For Uber Eats, which has grown into one of the company’s biggest revenue drivers, the new initiative could be a way to differentiate and capture customer loyalty in a crowded delivery market.
However, some analysts caution that while drone delivery offers promise, scaling it nationwide faces hurdles, including safety concerns, noise complaints, and the economics of building aerial networks. Still, Uber’s decision to invest—even modestly—in Flytrex suggests a strategic bet on being ready once the market matures.