Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

Logistics 101: How Does Air Freight Work?

Air cargo

Did you know that air cargo transports about $6 trillion worth of goods every year? This accounts for a staggering 35% of all world trade!

No doubt you’ve flown on passenger planes plenty of times. You’ve probably even seen huge cargo jets cruising down the runway at your local airport.

But how does air freight shipping work, exactly? And how does it fit into the bigger picture of the logistics industry? We’ll dive into those answers and more, so keep reading!

What Is Air Freight?

Air freight is the term for the goods and products that get transported on private charters of commercial airplanes. This is one part of the larger logistics industry that moves goods all over the world.

Often air freight moves large bulk quantities of goods or supplies across the country or through international shipping. Air cargo, however, isn’t just limited to inanimate objects. Air freight also includes the shipment of zoo animals, racehorses, live seafood, and even frozen sperm!

How Does Air Shipping Work?

Both domestic and international shipping processes are fairly straightforward. It begins when the freight companies arrange pickup for the items at a warehouse or storage facility.

Next, the items are moved to the airport, where they’re loaded onto the aircraft via a specialized device called a ULD container. These incredible devices are powerful enough to load vehicles, elephants, and other “oversized” items into the cargo hold.

The air cargo gets secured for the duration of the flight. Depending on the goods and the destination, the fright may travel in a commercial jet, a private charter, or a specialized cargo plane.

When the plane lands, the logistics company again arranges for pickup and delivery to its final destination. If the cargo has crossed into another country, the shipper must arrange to have it cleared through customs. This often involves more paperwork and higher costs than domestic air shipping.

How Are Air Freight Shipping Costs Calculated?

As you might expect, weight is the biggest factor in how much air freight shipping costs.

Air cargo companies calculate the chargeable weight in two different ways:

  • Gross weight (freight + packaging + pallet)
  • Volumetric weight (diving the cargo’s gross weight by dimensional weight factors)

Why would someone choose to ship goods via air, even if it costs considerably more?

The main advantage is the speed. In some cases, you can ship goods anywhere in the world on the same day. Shipping via a truck, train, or boat could take weeks or even months.

Air freight also allows easy access to virtually any destination on earth. The logistics industry is incredibly well-connected and can get anything anywhere in a very short amount of time.

Why Air Cargo Is the Way to Go

There are times when the slow boat to China is the logical or most economic choice. Sometimes, though, it just makes more sense to ship goods via air freight.

The next time you need to get something sent fast, be sure to choose the air freight shipping option! For additional background on outsourcing order fulfillment and freight forwarding, learn more about Red Stag services and facilities.

Now that you know more about this facet of the logistics industry, what’s next? Our site is full of interesting articles like this one, so stay right here and keep browsing!


Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Related Articles

Top Trending

NFTs and Blockchain Protect the Authenticity of Italian Wine
From Italian Vineyards to the Global Market: NFTs and Blockchain Protect the Authenticity of Italian Wine
Struggling to Land a Job
Struggling to Land a Job? Uncover Why Many Americans Are in the Same Boat
CISSP Training and Certification
Why Cybersecurity Aspiring Pros Need CISSP Training and Certification This Year?
Personal Injury Claim to Trial
Reasons for Taking Your Personal Injury Claim to Trial
Tax Saving Fixed Deposit
Complete Guide on Tax Saving Fixed Deposit (FD) Under Section 80C Deduction of Income Tax

LIFESTYLE

Best Perfume for Each Zodiac Sign
Find Your Scent: Best Perfume for Each Zodiac Sign
How to Become a Better Thinker
Tips to Train Your Brain: How to Become a Better Thinker?
Prince William Kate Middleton Controversies
Prince William & Kate's Top Controversies: A Royal Saga Unfolded
leanne morgan daughter cancer
Leanne Morgan's Daughter's Inspiring Journey To Overcoming Cancer
lee zeldin wife ethnicity
The Truth About Lee Zeldin's Wife's Ethnicity [Ethnic Background]

Entertainment

Rosalind Eleazar Hands
The Emotive Power of Rosalind Eleazar's Hands: A Journey through Theatre and Emotion
purple cartoon characters
Exploring the Fascinating World of 20 Top Purple Cartoon Characters
emo anime characters
Exploring 10 Top Emo Anime Characters in Japanese Animation
call of duty lobby leaks
The Aftermath of Call Of Duty Lobby Leaks on the Dark Web
frederick heschel bialik stone
Discovering the Life and Legacy of Frederick Heschel Bialik Stone

GAMING

call of duty lobby leaks
The Aftermath of Call Of Duty Lobby Leaks on the Dark Web
Technology Evolution Gaming
How Does the Evolution in Technology Redefined the Gaming Industry?
Bonuses at Online Casinos
Emerging Trends in Bonuses at Online Casinos: A Comprehensive Overview
Space Exploration Slots
Space Exploration Slots: Winning Big in the Final Frontier
NYTimes Legal Action Wordle Clones
NYTimes Cracks Down on Wordle Copycats: Legal Actions Underway

BUSINESS

Tax Saving Fixed Deposit
Complete Guide on Tax Saving Fixed Deposit (FD) Under Section 80C Deduction of Income Tax
gina sasso
Remembering a Beloved Figure Gina Sasso and Her Achievements
Entrepreneurship Program
3 Essential Elements of a Great Entrepreneurship Program
Most Powerful Women in the World
20 Most Powerful Women in the World in 2024
Freelancer Retirement Planning Tips
A Freelancer's Guide To Future-Proofing Retirement Plans

TECHNOLOGY

CISSP Training and Certification
Why Cybersecurity Aspiring Pros Need CISSP Training and Certification This Year?
Linkedin Adding Gaming Features
LinkedIn Levels Up: Introducing Gaming for Professional Networking
Gemini AI Racial Bias Alert
Gemini AI Racial Bias Alert: A Wake-Up Call on Tech Giants' Influence
FTC Reddit AI Probe
FTC Investigates Reddit's AI Deals: What's at Stake?
Google Play Store Pricing CCI Investigation
CCI Investigates Google Play Store's Pricing

HEALTH

Male vs Female Brain
Male vs Female Brain: Exploring the Neurological Divide
Covid 19 IQ Impact
New Study: Severe COVID-19 Linked to IQ Decline, Impacts Intelligence
jason beghe parkinsons disease
The Truth About Jason Beghe and Parkinson's Disease [Latest Update]
Left Brain vs Right Brain Test
Left Brain vs Right Brain Test: Uncovering Your Dominant Mind Power
Addiction Recovery
Introduction to Addiction Recovery: 7 Essential Concepts for Your Journey to Wellness