Beauty shoppers in the UK will soon be able to have their purchases flown directly to their door in under two hours with Amazon’s Prime Air.

The service, which uses Amazon’s MK30 drone to deliver packages to consumers, is in an early stage, with flights operating out of the retailer’s fulfilment centre in Darlington, England.

Although no deliveries are being made yet, the service is expected to take off in the northern city later in 2026, with a full launch expected this year.

The drone delivery system is suitable for packages weighing up to five pounds, with thousands of products available to order, including everyday essentials and beauty items.

David Carbon, Amazon’s VP of Prime Air, said:: “Starting flights in Darlington marks an important milestone in bringing drone delivery to the UK. 

“Safety is our top priority and we have worked closely with Darlington Council and the Civil Aviation Authority. 

“Our MK30 drones are designed to operate quietly and efficiently. 

“We look forward to demonstrating how this innovative technology can serve the people of Darlington while maintaining the highest safety standards.”

The drone that will be used operates autonomously, with onboard systems to identify and avoid obstacles such as clotheslines and trampolines, according to Amazon. 

The MK30 is also said to continuously monitor airspace during its flight, trained to recognise animals, people, physical barriers, other airborne vehicles, and other objects to ensure safe delivery.

The service is currently offered in selected US locations, including parts of Phoenix, Arizona and San Antonio, Texas.

Lead image credit: Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock

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