Amazon's Prime Air Network Expands to Nearly 500 U.S. Cities by End of Year

Amazon's Prime Air network is set to expand significantly by the end of this year, with drones delivering lightweight packages to nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns in as little as 30 minutes after ordering.

This milestone comes nearly 13 years after Amazon founder Jeff Bezos first unveiled Prime Air on 60 Minutes in December 2013, predicting it would take at least four or five years to become a reality.

The expansion will cover areas including the Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Boise metro areas, with flights concentrated in suburban areas and avoiding downtown high-rises and major airports.