AUSTIN, Texas (KEYE) — Amazon packages delivered in an hour or less by drone. CBS Austin toured one of only two Amazon drone delivery facilities in the world.

Amazon Prime customers in College Station, Texas have the option to get their packages delivered in under an hour by drone. It’s a delivery option that’s currently available in two U.S. cities with expansion to a third city expected by the middle of 2024.

Penny Zent is a faithful Amazon Prime Air customer in College Station. She’s used the new drone delivery feature nearly two dozen times since mid-August.

“I’ve gotten Windex and Chapstick and breakfast bars,” Zent said. “Not only am I getting products I can use on an everyday basis, but it is just so much fun,” she added.

Amazon took CBS Austin News on a first-of-its-kind tour of their Texas fulfillment center where packages take flight. Ryan Greenlese is a flight operator.

“It’s not only just a cool factor because it’s the future– it’s a drone, but also it’s saving the environment, our carbon footprint,” Greenlese said.

The drones are electric and all packaging is recyclable and designed with a little spring so items aren’t damaged when dropped from 13 feet in the air.

“These are reusable batteries– we can charge them. We’re not using fossil fuels,” Greenlese explains of the drones.

If an item weighs less than five pounds, and 90 percent of Amazon products do, they may be available for one-hour drone delivery in College Station or from the other Amazon Prime Air site in Lockeford, California.

Amazon Prime is also delivering medication by drone through Amazon Pharmacy.

“Typically whenever I’m getting a drone delivery, I’ll text my neighbors. I’ll text them and say, ‘Hey. The drone is on its way. You want to come watch?'” Zent said.

Moments before Zent’s package was cleared for takeoff, a nearby transformer blew grounding Amazon’s drones. Unsure how long the stop would last, Amazon sent CBS Austin on our way but later shared video of the package delivery which they say happened just under their 60 minute promise.

Amazon Prime customers in College Station, Texas and Lockeford, California can sign up for done delivery. Before deliveries are made by drone, Amazon crews perform a site visit, identify a clear and safe place for packages to be dropped off and provide customers with a large QR code on a board. Amazon’s drones will drop packages on the board which can be placed in the front yard or the backyard.

Amazon said new drones are in the works which will be lighter, faster able to travel farther distances and they’ll be quieter.