Amazon announced Wednesday it will extend its Prime Air drone delivery service for lightweight packages to Chicago, Illinois, as part of a rollout to 500 cities across the United States.
The expansion adds Chicago to a list of hundreds of new communities where Amazon plans to use unmanned aerial vehicles to transport small parcels directly to customers.
The program, known as Prime Air, focuses on delivering lightweight items, and the company says the new cities will join an existing network that already operates in select markets.
By reaching a total of 500 cities, the initiative represents a broader effort by Amazon to increase the geographic reach of its aerial delivery capability.
The rollout will occur alongside the existing service in other locations, extending the same technology and operational model to the new markets.
No additional details on timing or regulatory steps were provided beyond the announcement of the city count.
The expansion underscores Amazon's continued investment in drone technology as a component of its logistics strategy.
The announcement, issued on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, confirmed that Chicago will be among the first of the newly added locations. Amazon indicated that the service will operate under the same parameters that govern its current Prime Air operations in other markets.
Prime Air’s focus on moving small parcels through the air is intended to complement Amazon’s broader logistics network. By adding Chicago and additional communities, the company aims to broaden the reach of its aerial delivery capability across the United States.
Amazon expects the expanded network to serve millions of customers.