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Amazon announced Wednesday that its Prime Air drone delivery service will expand to nearly 500 cities and towns across the United States by the end of 2026, representing a sixfold increase from its current operations. The service currently operates from 11 sites across 10 metropolitan areas in Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and Texas, with plans to launch next in Chicago, Syracuse, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Boise.
The expansion does not mean Amazon is building 500 new facilities. Instead, the company is counting every city and town reached by existing and planned launch sites, with each facility covering approximately 175 square miles. Eligible customers can order items weighing 5 pounds or less, which Amazon estimates comprises over 60 percent of frequently purchased items. Delivery times range from 30 minutes to an hour, with Prime members paying $2.99 for orders under $50 and non-Prime customers paying $4.99.
Amazon’s rapid expansion follows regulatory changes that have enabled the service’s growth. The company holds Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 air carrier certification and received approval in 2024 to conduct longer-range flights using onboard detect-and-avoid technology. The drones use cameras and sensors for navigation and obstacle detection before releasing packages into clear delivery areas.
Amazon faces increasing competition in the drone delivery space. DoorDash recently launched its drone service, while Alphabet-owned Wing has completed over 1 million commercial deliveries and partners with Walmart on a network reaching over 40 million Americans by 2027. Uber has also partnered with Zipline to bring drone delivery to Uber Eats.
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Originally reported by Mashable →
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