Domestic Air Cargo

Air cargo services move freight by aircraft, either in the hold of passenger flights or on dedicated cargo aircraft. They include booking space on a flight, arranging truck pickup and delivery at both ends, security screening, preparing the air waybill, tracking and proof of delivery. Common service levels include next flight out, overnight, deferred air, same day hand carry with an onboard courier, and air charter, where a whole aircraft is booked for one shipment. Shippers use air cargo when freight is urgent or valuable enough that ground transport would be too slow.

Chargeable weight is the weight an airline uses to price a shipment. It is the greater of the actual weight and the dimensional weight. Dimensional weight is worked out from the length, width and height of each piece, using a divisor set by the carrier, so it reflects how much space the freight takes in the aircraft. A dense, heavy shipment is usually charged on actual weight, while a light but bulky one is charged on dimensional weight. Measuring pieces accurately and packing them tightly helps keep chargeable weight down.

Next flight out is an urgent air cargo service in which a shipment is booked on the first suitable scheduled flight after it reaches the airport. A truck collects the freight, it is screened and tendered to the airline before the cutoff, and it flies on that flight. On arrival, a driver recovers it and delivers it to the receiver. Next flight out is used for urgent pallets, crates and parts over long distances. It depends on airline schedules and cutoff times, so it suits shipments that are ready to move right away.

No. Domestic air shipments within the United States do not cross an international border, so they do not go through customs clearance and do not need customs entries, commercial invoices for customs or certificates of origin. They still need an air waybill describing the shipment and must pass security screening before they can fly. Dangerous goods need the right declarations, packaging and labels. Shipments to US territories outside the states may have extra requirements, so shippers should confirm the rules for those destinations before booking.

An air waybill, or AWB, is the main shipping document for air cargo. It names the shipper and the receiver, describes the freight, and lists the number of pieces, the weight and any special handling instructions. It serves as a receipt from the airline and as the contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier. Unlike some bills of lading, an air waybill is not negotiable, so it does not transfer ownership of the goods. Each air waybill has a number that is used to track the shipment.

Domestic air cargo is usually tracked with the air waybill number, which airlines use to show when the freight is accepted, departs, arrives and is ready for recovery. Because the trip also includes trucking at both ends, the most complete picture often comes from the company managing the whole shipment, which can confirm the pickup, the flight, the recovery and the delivery. Shippers should ask for updates at each key point and for proof of delivery when the receiver signs, so they know exactly when the freight arrived.

Size and weight limits for domestic air cargo depend on the aircraft. Passenger aircraft carry freight in the lower hold, so pieces must fit through the cargo door and within the hold, and single pieces have weight limits based on the floor. Dedicated cargo aircraft accept larger and heavier pieces. Freight that is too large or heavy for scheduled flights may need an air charter or a move by truck. Shippers should give exact dimensions and the weight of each piece when requesting a quote, so the right aircraft can be matched.

Many dangerous goods can ship as domestic air cargo, but only when they are properly identified, classified, packed, marked, labeled and declared under the air transport rules. Common examples include lithium batteries, some chemicals, paints and aerosols. Some items are forbidden on passenger aircraft but allowed on cargo aircraft in limited amounts, and a few cannot fly at all. Failing to declare dangerous goods is a serious violation that can lead to penalties and delays. Shippers should list any dangerous goods when requesting a quote.

Not always. Air cargo is usually faster over long distances, but each air shipment also needs time for the trip to the airport, screening, the airline's tender cutoff, the wait for the flight and recovery at the destination airport. Over shorter distances, a dedicated expedited truck that leaves at pickup and drives straight to the receiver can arrive first. The right choice depends on the distance, the size of the freight, the time of day and the deadline, so it is worth comparing both options before booking.

Weather, air traffic and mechanical problems can delay or cancel a flight, and airlines generally do not guarantee arrival times for scheduled freight. When a delay happens, the shipment may be moved to a later flight or rerouted through another airport. For urgent freight, alternatives include a different airline routing, an air charter or a dedicated truck, depending on the distance. Shippers should ask how delays are handled before booking and make sure someone is watching the shipment, so a new plan can be put in place quickly.