What Is Air Freight and How to Use It Effectively for Your Business?

If you’re wondering what air freight is and whether it’s the right choice for your shipping needs, let’s start with a clear answer: Air freight is the transportation of goods via commercial or dedicated cargo aircraft. It’s prized for speed—typically 5-10 times faster than ocean freight—and reliability, making it ideal for time-sensitive, high-value, or perishable items. Unlike other shipping methods, it connects global markets quickly, even to remote locations with limited ground infrastructure. But it also comes with higher costs, so knowing when and how to use it is key to maximizing value. Below, we’ll break down everything you need to know to leverage air freight effectively.

At its core, air freight involves moving goods from an origin airport to a destination airport, with support from ground logistics (like trucking) to get packages to and from the airports. The process has four key stages, designed to ensure speed and security:

Real-World Example: A U.S. electronics company needs to ship 500 new smartphones to a retailer in Europe for a product launch. They book air freight with a forwarder, who handles the AWB and customs docs. The phones are picked up, packed into a ULD, flown from Chicago O’Hare to Frankfurt Airport, cleared through EU customs, and delivered to the retailer in 48 hours—far faster than the 3-4 weeks ocean freight would take.

Not all air freight is the same. Choosing the right service depends on your timeline, budget, and cargo size. Here’s a breakdown of the most common options:

For instance, a pharmaceutical company shipping life-saving vaccines would use express air freight to ensure the goods arrive within 48 hours and stay within temperature limits. On the other hand, a fashion brand sending a seasonal batch of clothing might opt for standard air freight to balance speed and cost.

Air freight isn’t always the cheapest option, but it’s the best choice in specific scenarios. Here are the top reasons businesses pick it:

When not to choose air freight: If you’re shipping large, low-value items (e.g., furniture, bulk coal) or have no time constraints—ocean freight will be 5-10 times cheaper in these cases.

Air freight costs are based on two key factors: gross weight (the actual weight of the goods) and volumetric weight (the space the goods occupy). Carriers charge whichever is higher—this is called the “chargeable weight.”

Volumetric Weight (kg) = Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) / 6000

(The 6000 factor accounts for aircraft cargo hold density—this is an industry standard set by IATA.)

Example: A box of clothing has a gross weight of 10 kg, and dimensions of 50cm × 40cm × 30cm.

Other cost factors include:

A good freight forwarder simplifies the air freight process, saves you time, and helps avoid costly mistakes. Here’s what to look for:

Red Flags to Avoid: Forwarders that offer extremely low prices (they may cut corners on service), have no customer reviews, or can’t explain their process clearly.

While air freight is reliable, it has challenges. Here’s how to address them:

It depends on the route: Express services (e.g., FedEx Priority) take 1-3 days (e.g., New York to London), while standard services take 3-7 days (e.g., Shanghai to Los Angeles). Remote locations may add 1-2 days.

Most commercial aircraft can handle individual packages up to 150 kg, but chartered cargo planes can carry much larger loads (e.g., 100+ tons for machinery).

No—air freight emits about 50 times more CO2 per ton-kilometer than ocean freight (source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD). However, some carriers (e.g., KLM Cargo) offer carbon offset programs to reduce environmental impact.

It’s not mandatory, but it’s recommended. Most carriers only cover \(20 per kg by default, so if you’re shipping high-value goods (e.g., \)1,000 smartphones), additional insurance will protect you from loss or damage.

Yes, but only if they’re classified as “safe for air transport” (e.g., some batteries, perfumes) and comply with IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). Your forwarder can help you check eligibility.