Drones such as these may soon be flying around the Richmond area as Amazon announces plans to expand its Prime Air delivery service to Virginia’s capital city.
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Several signs point to potential new drone delivery service by Amazon in Florida’s capital city.
The world’s largest e-commerce company is actively hiring for “Prime Air Ground Handlers” in Tallahassee, although there’s been no official announcement.
The expanding service is provided through Amazon Prime Air, which the company said provides the “widest selection of items by drone, including millions of groceries, electronics, cosmetics, medications, and household products” within 30 minutes.
“How do you get items to customers quickly, cost-effectively, and – most importantly – safely, in less than an hour? And how do you do it in a way that can scale?” said the Tallahassee job listing on Amazon’s site.
“Our teams of hundreds of scientists, engineers, aerospace professionals, and futurists have been working hard to do just that! We are delivering to customers, and are excited for what’s to come.”
The Tallahassee Democrat received a statement from an Amazon spokesperson on potential drone service, who said, “We are always exploring new ways to get customers a wider selection at faster speeds.”
“Prime Air currently delivers to customers in locations across the country and the response from customers using Prime Air has been overwhelmingly positive,” the statement said. “We are currently working with local officials and exploring opportunities to expand our fast, reliable drone delivery service to reach customers in Tallahassee and locations around the country. We’re also planning a community event in Tallahassee to give customers the opportunity to learn more about our drone delivery service. We look forward to sharing more details soon.”
Tallahassee may be part of a massive wave of cities that see airborne deliveries, as the company is dramatically expanding its Prime Air drone service. The goal is to reach nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of 2026, according to a USA TODAY article last month.
In a statement last month, David Carbon, vice president of Amazon Prime Air, said customers already turn to Amazon for same-day and next-day delivery. He went on to say Prime Air provides them an even quicker option.
“We’ve already delivered hundreds of thousands of packages to customers by drone this year, and by the end of 2026 we plan to reach customers in nearly 500 cities and towns,” Carbon said. “We’re pairing the convenience of ultrafast drone delivery with the low prices and selection customers love about Amazon.”
That said, the service has also drawn attention for a series of high-profile mishaps.
In one recent incident, captured on video in the Phoenix area and reported by The Arizona Republic, a Prime Air drone kicked up such a large cloud of dust while descending that it briefly turned a residential yard into what observers described as a mini dust storm, highlighting concerns about rotor wash in desert neighborhoods.
In another case reported by USA TODAY, a Texas woman’s first drone delivery ended when the aircraft released her package directly into her backyard swimming pool instead of a dry drop zone. The customer said she was “shocked” as she watched the parcel splash into the water.
Amazon says such incidents are rare. But as it continues to expand its Prime Air program, the episodes underscore some of the practical challenges the company faces as it moves from limited testing to wider deployment.
For instance, it remains to be seen – in a city known for its sprawling live oaks and dense canopy – how drone delivery will work here; namely whether trees will be festooned with drones dangling from high limbs.
A meet-and-greet event hosted by Amazon regarding drone service
The other major hint that Amazon appears to be making a high-flying move in Tallahassee comes as the company has selected certain locals to attend a meet-and-greet event.
Carl Fuqua, an adjunct professor specializing in drone flight at Tallahassee State College, said he and two other instructors responded to a notification from Amazon to the college about the upcoming event. He said the invite came with a link to register to “come meet and greet.”
He said the notification came about two weeks ago. While he said he didn’t know many details, he said the event’s title is the “Amazon Drone Delivery Community Meet and Greet.”
When asked about whether he’s excited to attend the event and learn more, Fuqua said “absolutely.”
“This is the kind of thing that really excites me to know they’re going to do it,” said Fuqua, owner of the Fuqua Insurance Agency, who has more than 20 years of experience operating drones. “Some people have mixed feelings about it … No one likes the idea of loud drones flying over their home.”
“Everything comes with something, you know,” he continued. “It’s not like we’re the guinea pig for it either. They’ve been using this already in larger metropolitan areas, and it’s pretty well received overall.”
USA TODAY, citing Reuters, reported that the Federal Aviation Administration proposed rules that would make it easier for certified operators to fly drones beyond a pilot’s visual line of sight, a change companies say could significantly reduce costs and allow services to expand quicker.
Where is Prime Air available?
Prime Air now operates from 11 delivery sites serving metro areas including Phoenix; Tampa, Florida; Kansas City, Kansas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Detroit; Omaha, Nebraska; Houston; Dallas; San Antonio; and Waco, Texas.
As of last month, Amazon said service will soon launch in the Chicago, Cleveland, Atlanta, Boise and Syracuse metro areas, with additional communities expected later this year as the company works toward its nationwide expansion goal.
What can customers order?
Most items weighing 5 pounds or less that fit inside a large shoebox are eligible for drone delivery. That includes many groceries, cosmetics, medications, electronics and household products.
Prime members receive free drone delivery on orders of $50 or more. Orders under $50 cost Prime members $2.99, and customers without a Prime membership pay $4.99.
Customers in eligible areas will see the drone delivery option during checkout, select a delivery location on their property, and receive their order after the drone confirms the drop zone is clear.
USA Today and The Arizona Republic contributed. Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Amazon Prime Air drone service likely coming to Tallahassee | Exclusive
Reporting by TaMaryn Waters, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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An Amazon drone flies above homes. Provided by Amazon USA TODAY Network, Reuters
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This story was originally published September 22, 2026 at 12:07 PM.