Prime Air uses drones to deliver groceries, electronics, cosmetics, medications, and household products. | Source: Amazon
Amazon.com Inc. this week said it plans to expand its Prime Air service to nearly 500 cities and towns in the U.S. by the end of 2026. The company said this is a sixfold increase from its current footprint. It would give tens of millions of customers access to drone delivery.
Prime Air drone delivery currently serves customers in cities across seven states, including Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and Texas. Amazon plans to launch the service soon in the Chicago; Syracuse, N.Y.; Cleveland; Atlanta; and Boise, Idaho, metro areas, with more communities to come later this year.
“Customers already turn to Amazon for fast same- and next-day delivery, and Prime Air provides them an even speedier option when they need it, with deliveries in as fast as 30 minutes,” stated David Carbon, vice president of Amazon Prime Air. “We’ve already delivered hundreds of thousands of packages to customers by drone this year, and by the end of 2026, we plan to reach customers in nearly 500 cities and towns. We’re pairing the convenience of ultrafast drone delivery with the low prices and selection customers love about Amazon.”
Amazon isn’t just expanding Prime Air across the U.S. The company recently launched Prime Air in Darlington, U.K., marking the first time the drone delivery service has been available to its customers outside the U.S. Customers within a 7.5-mi. (12-km) radius of the fulfillment center can have eligible items delivered by drone.
What does Amazon Prime Air deliver?
Amazon said Prime Air can deliver nearly all items 5 lb. (2.2 kg) or less that fit in a large shoebox. More than 60% of the items customers are most frequently purchasing from Amazon are eligible, the company claimed. Orders arrive in as fast as 30 minutes, with most orders arriving around 60 minutes after checkout.
Drone delivery is integrated into the existing Amazon shopping experience. Users can use the same app, same checkout, and same customer service. When placing their first delivery order, customers will be able to see and confirm their delivery point. They can choose to keep the same point for future orders or select a new area at any time.
Once the drone arrives at the preferred delivery point with a customer’s order, it will check to confirm that no people, pets, or vehicles are in the way before safely delivering the package (although Amazon may need to add pools to the list).
Amazon says its delivery drones are safe
Prime Air holds Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 135 certification, the same framework used for commercial air carriers, representing the highest level of FAA oversight for drone delivery operations. Amazon said multiple independent systems keep its drones operating safely and predictably through flights.
The company uses its Detect-and-Avoid system to continuously monitor the airspace and environment around its drones. Amazon said this is similar to a trained pilot scanning the surrounding airspace. It allows the drones to independently see and make real-time decisions while in flight.
Prime Air drones use onboard cameras and sensors for navigation, obstacle detection, and safe delivery; they do not track individuals or record movements. There is no live camera feed monitored by any person. The onboard camera data is processed by the drone itself for safe navigation.
Amazon said its drones are fully electric with zero exhaust emissions. During drop-off, the company said the sound level is below that of an idling delivery truck parked curbside and lasts about 30 seconds. During flight at altitude, Amazon claimed the noise level is comparable to a window fan on low and is typically not heard indoors.
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