Amazon targets 500 U.S. cities and towns for drone deliveries by 2026
Amazon plans to expand Prime Air to roughly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of 2026, launching in Chicago, Cleveland, Atlanta, Syracuse, and Boise this year; each site covers about 175 square miles with half-hour to one-hour deliveries, supplementing existing operations in 10 cities. The push comes amid rival drone programs from Walmart, Wing, Zipline and DoorDash, with concerns over noise, privacy, and safety after several Amazon incidents; drones carry about five pounds, face weather limits, and rely on onboard sensors with no live video feed, and the FAA's oversight will shape future expansion.