Amazon’s Prime Air Set to Expand Drone Delivery to Nearly 500 US Cities
Amazon recently unveiled an extensive expansion plan for its Prime Air drone delivery service. The goal is to extend its reach to almost 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of 2026, marking a sixfold increase from its current operations, which span 11 delivery sites across 10 metro areas. This announcement, made on August 19, 2026, represents the company’s most ambitious foray into autonomous last-mile delivery to date.
The autonomous MK30 drones used in the service can handle packages weighing up to 5 pounds. This covers over 60% of Amazon’s most frequently ordered items and allows for deliveries to be completed in as little as 30 minutes. Eligible items for drone delivery include groceries, medications, electronics, and cosmetics. The new metro areas slated to join the service soon include Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, Syracuse, and Boise. These cities will be added to the existing operations in Phoenix, Houston, San Antonio, Detroit, and Kansas City.
Prime members can enjoy free drone delivery for orders worth $50 or more, while a $2.99 fee applies to smaller orders. Amazon, which holds FAA Part 135 certification, has already carried out hundreds of thousands of drone deliveries in 2026 alone. This expansion is set to heat up competition with rivals such as Walmart (in partnership with Alphabet’s Wing and Zipline), DoorDash, and Uber, all of which are also ramping up their drone delivery efforts.
Source: ABC News | TechCrunch