Secure reliable air freight capacity when you need it most

Air freight shipping (also called air cargo or air shipping) is the transportation of goods by aircraft. It is the fastest shipping option for moving freight internationally and is often used for time-sensitive, high-value, or long-distance shipments. 

Because of the associated costs of air shipping, this service is generally reserved for urgent or high-priority cargo that needs to arrive within days rather than weeks.

Air freight is often the right choice when delays could lead to production downtime, inventory shortages, missed sales opportunities, or service disruptions. It is commonly used for urgent replenishment, high-value goods, product launches, spare parts, healthcare products, and other time-critical shipments.

Air freight helps businesses move goods faster while improving reliability and supply chain responsiveness. Top benefits include: 

• Faster transit times: Air freight is by far the fastest shipping method, with transit times of hours or days instead of weeks. This enables urgent replenishment of stock and last-minute delivery to meet tight deadlines.
• Reduced inventory requirements: The speed of air freight reduces warehouse inventory levels and is often critical for just-in-time supply chains. Perishable or seasonal goods can arrive to market in time, avoiding obsolescence.
• Access to global markets and trade lanes: You can ship almost anywhere in the world via air. Major airlines and air cargo networks connect thousands of airports globally, making remote or landlocked regions accessible via connecting flights.
• Real-time visibility: Air freight usually comes with advanced tracking and visibility. Shippers get real-time updates on a shipment’s status and more precise estimated times of arrival, which aids planning.

Air shipping transit times are much faster than other methods, but the exact duration depends on the service level and route distance:

• Express/priority air: Typically 1–3 days for major international routes. This is the fastest option and often uses direct flights or premium services that prioritize your cargo.
• Standard air freight: Usually around 3–7 days transit. Standard services balance speed and cost, and may involve one or two stopovers for connecting flights.
• Economy/deferred air: Approximately 5–10 days (or longer) depending on how many stops or consolidations are involved. 
• Domestic air shipments: For shipments moving within the same country or region, delivery can be as quick as overnight or up to two days, depending on the distance and whether a direct flight is available.

By comparison, ocean freight from, say, Asia to North America can take 3–6 weeks. So even the slowest air freight service is considerably faster than shipping by sea. Keep in mind the clock for air transit does not include pickup, customs clearance, or final delivery on the ground, but even including those, air is still the speediest option for long-range shipping.

Air freight can help maintain supply chain continuity when unexpected events impact inventory, production schedules, or transportation networks. By providing faster transit times and alternative routing options, air freight can help businesses recover quickly from delays, avoid service disruptions, and respond more effectively to changing market conditions.

Air freight is commonly used by industries where speed, reliability, compliance, and shipment visibility are critical. This includes:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Healthcare 
• Manufacturing
• Retail

Each industry has unique transportation requirements, but all benefit from the ability to move critical shipments quickly and reliably.

Yes. Air cargo must comply with strict safety regulations. Certain dangerous goods, hazardous materials, lithium batteries, chemicals, and other regulated products may require special handling, documentation, or approval before they can travel by air. Shipping requirements vary by product type, aircraft, origin, and destination, making it important to confirm compliance requirements before booking a shipment.

Yes. While aircraft size and weight limitations apply, oversized and heavy cargo can often be transported by air using specialized equipment, dedicated freighter aircraft, or charter solutions. Air freight is frequently used for critical shipments such as industrial machinery, manufacturing equipment, infrastructure components, and other out-of-gauge cargo when speed is essential.

When evaluating oversized air shipments, factors such as cargo dimensions, weight, origin and destination airports, aircraft availability, and loading requirements should all be considered. 

Air freight generally has a higher carbon footprint than ocean freight and other transportation modes. However, it remains an important option for urgent and time-sensitive shipments. Many businesses are evaluating transportation strategies that balance speed, cost, and environmental impact, including exploring lower-emission fuel alternatives when available.

Air freight and ocean freight differ mainly in speed, cost, and capacity:

• Transit time: Air is fastest, with shipments arriving in 1–5 days internationally. Ocean freight can take 20–30 days or longer, making it better only if speed isn’t critical.
• Cost: Air is 5–10 times more expensive than ocean. Ocean is far more economical for high-volume freight.
• Environmental impact: Ocean is far greener, with a much lower carbon footprint. Air freight has the highest emissions per ton-kilometer.

Which should you choose?

• Choose air freight for urgent, high-value, or time-sensitive cargo.
• Choose ocean freight for large, heavy, or lower-value shipments where cost savings outweigh speed.
• Many businesses use a mix—air for urgent replenishment, ocean for bulk replenishment.