Amazon Prime Air to expand drone delivery to 500 US cities

Amazon is preparing a major expansion of its Prime Air drone delivery service, targeting nearly 500 cities and towns across the United States by the end of 2026. The rollout represents a sixfold increase from the service's current footprint of 11 locations.

The company announced that drone deliveries will launch in five major metropolitan areas: Chicago, Illinois; Syracuse, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia; and Boise, Idaho. Amazon indicated additional communities will receive the service later this year, though specific locations were not disclosed.

Current operations and scale

Each Prime Air site serves approximately 175 square miles and handles packages weighing up to 5 pounds. According to David Carbon, vice president of Amazon Prime Air, the service has already delivered hundreds of thousands of packages to customers in 2026, with most orders arriving roughly 60 minutes after checkout.

The delivery time window positions Prime Air as a premium fulfillment option for lightweight items, potentially competing with traditional same-day delivery services while reducing ground transportation costs.

Safety systems and incident history

Alongside the expansion announcement, Amazon emphasized its drone safety technology, specifically highlighting what it calls an "industry-leading Detect-and-Avoid system." The focus on safety features comes as the drones have faced scrutiny following several incidents, including crashes into cranes, internet cables, residential gardens, and an apartment building.

The company's decision to prominently feature safety capabilities suggests Amazon anticipates resistance or concerns from residents in newly served areas. Public acceptance remains a critical factor for scaling autonomous delivery operations in populated regions.

Why it matters

This expansion marks a pivotal moment for commercial drone delivery in the United States. If Amazon successfully scales to 500 locations, it would establish drone delivery as a mainstream logistics option rather than an experimental service. The move could pressure competitors to accelerate their own autonomous delivery programs while forcing municipalities to develop clearer regulatory frameworks for urban drone operations. For businesses evaluating last-mile delivery strategies, Amazon's scale-up provides real-world data on the viability of drone logistics at commercial volumes.

The Verge first reported details of Amazon's expansion plans and operational metrics.