Amazon set to expand drone delivery of lightweight packages to 500 US cities

Amazon plans to expand its drone delivery service to deliver lightweight packages to an additional 500 U.S. cities by the end of the year, the company announced on Thursday. The plan will cover suburban areas in these communities, including Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Boise metro areas. Amazon's drones can carry packages up to 5 pounds and could reach customers in as fast as 30 minutes.

The service will be free for Amazon Prime members with orders over $50, while non-members will pay $4.99 for drone delivery for orders under $35 or up to $12.99 for same-day shipments. Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy believes drone delivery will be part of the company's delivery mix, aiming to deliver half a billion packages by the end of this decade.