Amazon to roll out drone deliveries for lightweight parcels in nearly 500 U.S. cities

Amazon revealed a plan to broaden its Prime Air drone network to roughly 500 U.S. cities, focusing on suburban zones where drones can fly safely away from tall buildings and busy airports. The unmanned aircraft can transport parcels weighing up to 5 pounds and promise delivery times as quick as 30 minutes. Expansion sites include the Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland and Boise metropolitan areas, increasing the program's scale more than sixfold.

Although drones have already delivered hundreds of thousands of packages this year, they will still represent only a fraction of Amazon's total shipments. The service will be free for Prime members ordering more than $50, while smaller Prime orders will cost $2.99 and non-members will pay $4.99. Analysts note that consumer interest may start with novelty, and the economics of the model are still being evaluated.