An article summarized by TechCrunch:
Amazon is significantly expanding its Prime Air drone delivery service, with plans to reach nearly 500 U.S. cities by the end of 2026, about six times its current footprint. The company is launching the service in 11 additional locations, including markets in Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, Michigan and Texas. Amazon says Prime Air has already delivered hundreds of thousands of packages by drone this year, with deliveries arriving in as little as 30 minutes.
The expansion comes despite several previous drone accidents, including a 2025 collision involving two drones in Tolleson, Arizona, where Amazon is now returning. Other incidents have involved drones hitting an internet cable and crashing into a garden and an apartment building. Amazon says safety remains a priority, highlighting its Detect-and-Avoid system, cameras and onboard sensors designed to monitor surroundings and avoid obstacles. Prime Air also operates under FAA Part 135 certification, the same regulatory framework used by commercial air carriers.
Prime Air currently operates in seven states, with Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Idaho and New York expected to be added soon. Prime members receive free drone delivery on eligible orders of $50 or more, while lower-value orders and non-Prime customers face delivery fees. Amazon’s expansion comes as Walmart and Alphabet’s Wing also rapidly build drone delivery networks, intensifying competition to make drone deliveries a mainstream part of U.S. commerce.
