Amazon’s Prime Air is taking off in nearly 500 U.S. cities
Amazon plans to expand its Prime Air drone delivery service to nearly 500 U.S. cities by the end of 2026. Despite past safety incidents, the company is emphasizing its advanced 'Detect-and-Avoid' technology to reassure regulators and the public.
Why it matters
The expansion represents a major milestone in the commercialization of autonomous drone logistics, testing the limits of safety regulations and public acceptance.
Amazon announced Wednesday a major expansion of Amazon Prime Air, its drone delivery service, with plans to reach nearly 500 U.S. cities by the end of 2026. This marks a significant milestone as it expands the service’s footprint by roughly six times its current reach.
Prime Air will soon launch in 11 locations: Tolleson, Arizona; Ruskin, Florida; Kansas City, Kansas; Papillion, Nebraska; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Hazel Park and Pontiac, Michigan; and Richmond, San Antonio, Richardson, and Waco, Texas.
The return to Tolleson is particularly notable given a drone accident that occurred there last year. In October 2025, two drones collided with the boom of a crane. Amazon’s drones have also previously drawn scrutiny following incidents involving clipping an internet cable , and crashing into a garden and an apartment building .
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