Amazon announced a major expansion of its Prime Air drone service on August 19, 2026. The company plans to operate in nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of the year. This move marks a sixfold increase from its current operational footprint.
The service offers 30-minute delivery for packages weighing up to five pounds. Expansion targets include major metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Syracuse, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Boise. Prime Air will carry groceries, electronics, medications, and household essentials.
The initiative aims to capture the quick commerce market and challenge competitors like Walmart. Vice President David Carbon reported that drones have already delivered hundreds of thousands of packages in 2026. The expansion will bring ultrafast delivery to tens of millions of customers.