Amazon Launches First Cargo Plane

Amazon.com launched its first ever branded cargo plane, Amazon One, at Seattle’s SeaFair Air Show on Friday. The Boeing 767-300 plane is one of 40 that Amazon has agreed to lease through air cargo partners Atlas Air and ATSG. In an ode to its Prime members, Amazon’s first plane in its dedicated fleet features a tail number made up of a Prime number. There are currently 11 dedicated planes flying for Amazon as of today, with plans for additional planes to roll out over time

Total Retail's Take: While delivery by drone or self-driving trucks may not be here yet for Amazon.com, creating an air transportation network to ensure speedy deliveries for its customers is a key part of the online retailer's future. Over the last year, Amazon has launched several initiatives to ensure fast delivery and supply chain capacity for its customers, including Amazon Flex, the company’s mobile application that allows individuals to sign up, be vetted and begin delivering for Amazon; a dedicated network of 4,000 trailers to increase trucking capacity; and, now, a fleet of air cargo planes. Amazon continues to win customers with logistics.