Amazon plans to expand its Prime Air drone delivery service to roughly 500 U.S. locales by the end of 2026, up from the current 11 locations, according to company and regulatory filings. The expansion follows a series of public hearings and regulatory reviews, including recent meetings in Texas, Idaho, and Arizona.
The service, which charges $4.99 per delivery, offers a $2 discount for Prime members and waives the fee on orders exceeding $50. Amazon’s latest drone model, the MK30, hovers a few feet above the ground to release packages, reducing noise compared with earlier versions that landed. The company states the drones operate at noise levels below a lawnmower, with flights lasting about 20 seconds during descent and departure.
The expansion targets a 7.5-mile radius from each delivery hub, covering multiple communities per location. Amazon has implemented route adjustments and flight height modifications to address noise concerns raised in public hearings. The company notes that navigation cameras are used solely for flight purposes and do not capture images of private property.
Public feedback has been mixed. Some residents, including a speaker at a March hearing in Richardson, Texas, described the drones as irritating and disruptive. Others, such as an Amazon executive, emphasized the convenience for groups like older adults and parents managing urgent needs. The company has also faced scrutiny over past incidents, including a 2025 drone collision with a crane in suburban Arizona.
The initiative follows Jeff Bezos’ 2013 demonstration of octocopter drones, which he projected would be operational within four to five years. Regulatory oversight includes coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
