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Air Freight - Guide & Cost Comparison

Air freight, also known as air cargo, is the movement of goods via aircraft. It is the fastest mode of international transportation, preferred for its speed and reliability in delivering goods across the globe. While it accounts for a smaller percentage of total global trade by volume, it is a crucial component of the global economy, especially for high-value, time-sensitive, or perishable goods.

On this page you will find useful information on air freight such as the costs, transit times, how it works at customs and how to find the freight forwarder.

You can also subm it your air freight quote request within a few minutes. Verified and quality-checked freight forwarders will give you a quote within no-time.

Air Freight FAQ

When do you use air freight?

Air freight is ideal in certain situations. It is clearly not the most economic choice, but can be a life-saver when time is of the essence or in case of special deliveries. A few examples:

Shipping perishable goods like fresh flowers or seafood, where speed is crucial to maintain quality.
High-value items are involved: Transporting expensive electronics, pharmaceuticals, or luxury goods, where the added security and faster delivery of air freight justify the cost.
Urgent deliveries: Meeting tight deadlines for product launches, responding to emergencies, or fulfilling time-sensitive customer orders.
Remote locations are involved: Reaching destinations with limited or unreliable ground transportation infrastructure, such as remote islands or disaster-stricken areas.

In most other cases, one of the following is usually cheaper and easier to arrange:

Sea freight is the most cost-effective way to ship large volumes over long distances.
Rail freight is best for transporting large quantities over land routes.
Road freight offers flexibility and is well-suited for shorter distances and door-to-door deliveries.

Types of air cargo

Air cargo can be broadly categorized into three main types:

1. General Cargo: This includes most common goods that don't require special handling. Examples include clothing, electronics, machinery parts, and non-perishable food items.

2. Special Cargo: This encompasses goods that require specific handling, storage, or transportation conditions due to their nature. Examples include:

Perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, flowers and seafood, which need temperature-controlled environments.
Live animals: Pets, livestock, zoo animals, etc., which require specialized containers and care during transit.
Dangerous goods: Hazardous materials like chemicals, flammable liquids, or explosives, which have strict regulations for handling and packaging.
Valuable goods: High-value items like jewelry, artwork, or sensitive electronics, which may require additional security measures.

3. Mail and Express Cargo: This category includes letters, documents, parcels, and packages that are typically transported through dedicated express networks for fast delivery.

How does shipping air cargo works?

How long does air freight take?

How much does air freight cost?

Types of Air Freight Aircraft

There are various types of aircraft used for air freight, each suited for specific cargo types and distances:

Dedicated Freighters

Wide-Body Freighters: These large aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 and 777, can carry massive volumes of cargo over long distances. They are ideal for bulk shipments, heavy machinery, and outsized cargo.
Narrow-Body Freighters: Smaller than wide-body aircraft, these planes (like the Boeing 757 and 737) are well-suited for shorter distances and lighter loads. They are often used for express shipments, e-commerce deliveries, and regional cargo transportation.

Boeing 747 Cargo Wide-Body

Converted Freighters

Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) Conversions: These are former passenger aircraft modified to carry cargo. They offer a cost-effective option for transporting goods and can be adapted to various cargo configurations.

Other Aircraft:

Super Transporters: These specialized aircraft are designed to carry oversized cargo, such as satellites, aircraft components, or even other airplanes.
Combination (Combi) Aircraft: These planes can carry both passengers and cargo on the main deck, providing flexibility for airlines.

The choice of aircraft depends on the type, size, and weight of the cargo, as well as the distance and urgency of the shipment.

The C-5M Super Galaxy is one of the world's largest cargo aircraft, a so-called Super Transporter

Air freight versus other transport methods

While sea freight is the most cost-effective way to ship large volumes over long distances, when not in a rush, air freight is ideal for high-value or time-sensitive shipments. Rail freight is best for transporting large quantities over land routes. Finally, road freight offers flexibility and is well-suited for shorter distances and door-to-door deliveries.

Below we will compare air freight with rail, sea and road freight.

Factor	Sea Freight	Air Freight	Rail Freight
Speed	Slow	Fast	Medium
Cost	Inexpensive	Expensive	Moderate
Suitability for large shipments	Yes	No	Yes
Suitability for time-sensitive shipments	No	Yes	Limited
Suitability for hazardous materials	Limited	Yes	Limited
Suitability for temperature-controlled cargo	Limited	Yes	Limited

Air freight rates & costs

Air freight rates are calculated based on several factors, making it essential to understand the components involved to estimate shipping costs accurately.

Key Factors:

Chargeable Weight: This is the higher value between the actual gross weight and the volumetric weight.
- Actual Gross Weight: The total weight of the shipment, including packaging.
- Volumetric Weight: Calculated as (length x width x height in cm) / 6000.
Rate per Kilogram: Varies based on destination, service level, fuel prices, and demand.
Additional Charges: May include fuel surcharges, security screening, customs clearance, terminal handling, and insurance.

Airfreight cost breakdown

Scenario: Shipment from New York to London

Shipment Details:

Actual Weight: 10 kg
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 50 cm x 40 cm x 30 cm
Declared Value (for Insurance): $1000 USD

Cost Breakdown:

Transportation Costs:

Base Rate (per kg): $7.00
Chargeable Weight:
- Actual weight: 10 kg
- Volumetric weight: (50 cm x 40 cm x 30 cm) / 6000 = 10 kg
- Since they're equal, the chargeable weight is 10 kg
Base Transportation Cost: 10 kg * $7.00/kg = $70.00
Fuel Surcharge (10% of base cost): $70.00 * 0.10 = $7.00
Total Transportation Cost: $70.00 + $7.00 = $77.00

Additional Fees:

Security Fee: $20.00
Customs Clearance Fee: $50.00
Terminal Handling Fee: $15.00

Insurance:

Insurance Rate (2% of declared value): $1000 * 0.02 = $20.00

Total Estimated Cost:

$77.00 (transportation) + $20.00 (security) + $50.00 (customs) + $15.00 (handling) + $20.00 (insurance) = $182.00

Other pricing factors

Further important considerations for the total air freight rate will be any changes in currency exchange rates. Therefore, you should factor in fluctuations.

Furthermore, depending on the shipping origin and destination additional import fees and taxes could be imposed. Make sure to check this with your shipping agent. Dangerous goods could also trigger additional fees.

Who Sets the Fees?

Understanding who determines the different fees in air freight can help you navigate the pricing structure and negotiate better deals:

Transportation Costs:
- Base Rate: Set by airlines or freight forwarders based on their internal pricing policies, market conditions, and contractual agreements.
- Fuel Surcharge: Tied to aviation fuel price indexes, such as the IATA Jet Fuel Price Monitor, which are published regularly.
- Chargeable Weight: Determined by industry standards and regulations set by organizations like the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Additional Fees:
- Security Fee: Often regulated by government agencies or airport authorities responsible for aviation security.
- Customs Clearance Fee: Determined by the customs authorities of the importing country, based on the value and type of goods, as well as any applicable tariffs or duties.
- Terminal Handling Fee: Set by the airport or ground handling agents responsible for managing cargo at the airport terminals.
Insurance:
- Determined by insurance providers based on the value of the goods, type of goods, destination, and their own risk assessment models.

Example: DHL Air Freight Services & Terms

The following table illustrates the diversity of air freight services offered by a major provider like DHL, showcasing the various options available to businesses with different needs and priorities:

	DHL Same Day Jetline	DHL Same Day Speedline	DHL Air Priority	DHL Airfreight Plus	DHL Air Economy	DHL Air Tailored Lift	DHL Air Thermonet
Typical transit time	Within 24 hours	Within 24 hours	1-2 days	1-5 days	5-7 days	Upon request	Upon request
Globally available	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pick up time	60 min	120 min	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
One all-inclusive price	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No
Day definite delivery	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes
Proactive shipment monitoring & response	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
GDP compliant network	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Dangerous goods	Included	Included	Included	Not Included	Not Included	Included	Not Included
Oversized goods	Included	Included	Not Included	Not Included	Not Included	Included	Not Included
Perishables	Not Included	Not Included	Not Included	Not Included	Not Included	Included	Not Included