Amazon Delivers First UK Parcels by Drone
Wednesday, 2026/05/13155 words2 minutes378 reads
Amazon has become the first retailer in the UK to start delivering packages by drone. The service launched in Darlington, County Durham, where drones can deliver items within a 7.5 mile radius of Amazon's warehouse.
The drones carry packages weighing less than 2.2kg, including everyday items like beauty products, batteries, and cables. Deliveries currently arrive within two hours, though in the US the average is just 36 minutes.
Rob Shield, who let Amazon test the service on his farm, initially ordered everything from chocolates to pens just to watch the drones arrive. Now he uses it for items he needs urgently, like tape measures. However, not everyone is convinced. Some Darlington residents prefer traditional delivery methods and want a person to hand them their parcels.
The drones drop packages from 12 feet into customers' gardens. Amazon can make up to 100 deliveries per day, but customers need a garden or yard to use the service.
