Air Freight Delivery

An air freight delivery company with the experience, training, and resources to handle any shipping challenge.

Air freight delivery services are subject to a wide range of risks, but AirFreight.com knows how to handle all of them. Our team uses advanced route planning and tracking to make sure your cargo makes all the necessary connections, and can charter new flights if the original plan fails. Combine this with our vast coverage network, which allows us to ship goods quickly from any location, and we will have no trouble getting you your goods intact on any schedule.

Why Work with AirFreight.com?

Real-Time Tracking, 24/7/365

With real-time updates and complete visibility, you can stay ahead of any potential delays and make informed decisions to keep your operations running smoothly.

A Single Point of Contact

From booking to delivery, you’ll have a dedicated expediter guiding you through every step of the logistics process. Experience seamless, personalized support from start to finish.

Multiple Options

We proactively analyze ground and air traffic, anticipate weather challenges, and account for potential flight delays to keep your shipment on track. Our goal is to overcome any obstacles and ensure your deadline is always met.

Air Cargo

With air cargo express shipping, a cargo delivery can be made within the U.S., Canada, or Mexico in just hours.

Air Charter

AirFreight.com’s air charter services specialize in arranging aircraft charter and jet services, emergency air charter services, and international charters for time-critical freight shipments.

Air Freight

Our air freight broker services offer clients an efficient way to send expedited and urgent freight.

Expedited Truckload

Whether you need a dedicated truck, hotshot flatbed, van, reefer, or a team, AirFreight.com’s expedited truckload services have you covered.

Hot Shot Trucking

Our hot shot trucking services are ideal for large cargo that may have unconventional weight, dimensions, or packaging.

Same Day Delivery

Emergencies happen. Standard deliveries can go wrong. To ensure your time-critical freight reaches its destination, AirFreight.com offers same day delivery services.

Overcoming the Challenges of Air Freight Deliveries

While an air freight delivery is the fastest method for meeting your logistics needs, it is vulnerable to a number of different shipping risks. This means that when you are selecting an air freight delivery company, you must find one that is prepared for:

Missed Connections

Scheduled air cargo often has to be passed between multiple different planes. If one of the earlier flights misses a connection, the entire delivery will be derailed. Air freight delivery services must thus identify alternative connections to minimize such delays

in near-real time.

Leading forwarders ingest live schedule data from multiple airlines and overlay it with weather feeds, airport congestion alerts, and aircraft maintenance reports to predict pinch points hours before they occur. When a disruption is flagged—say, a mechanical delay on a trans-Atlantic leg—their systems automatically surface “next-best” routings ranked by earliest arrival, capacity, and cost.

Best-in-class providers also pre-negotiate block-space agreements (BSAs) on popular backup lanes. This gives them guaranteed lift on secondary routes during peak demand or irregular operations, preventing the scramble for last-minute space that drives up costs. Some even maintain cross-docks near major hubs—Chicago O’Hare, Miami, or Los Angeles—so shipments can be re-palletized quickly for domestic line-haul or express trucking if air options evaporate.

Emergency Shipments

If your company suddenly has a shipping emergency, you may need to make a delivery before any scheduled flights are available. Only an air freight company that knows how to charter new flights can deal with such an emergency.

A capable air charter freight provider can dispatch a dedicated aircraft—anything from a turbo-prop for a regional hop to a wide-body 747-400F or Antonov An-124 for outsized cargo—within a matter of hours. The moment you declare an emergency, its charter desk taps a global network of charter airlines, aircraft owners, and ACMI operators to locate the nearest suitable jet, confirm crew availability, and secure landing and overflight permits.

Airport Delivery and Pickup

Rapid air freight services won’t help you if you can’t get your goods to and from the airport. You need a carrier who can make arrangements for the beginning and end of the journey.

An end-to-end air freight solution hinges on seamless first-mile pickup and last-mile delivery. The best carriers maintain their own ground‐transportation fleet or have vetted partnerships with regional drayage, expedited trucking, and white-glove couriers so they can collect freight at origin, hand it off to the flight, and complete final delivery without gaps in custody.

Shipping & Supplemental Services from AirFreight.com

AirFreight.com is committed to the success of your shipments, which is why we offer:

A customer support system with a single contact point where you can place new orders and check existing ones easily
The support of a team of critical freight experts who know how to store essential and fragile goods safely
The resources and expertise to schedule regular flights and charter new ones to meet your company’s specific needs
A coverage network that extends throughout the country and lets us ship new orders from any location

Shoring Up Safety for All Our Deliveries

AirFreight.com values safety above all else, which is why we evaluate every airline that we partner with in detail. We only agree to work with air services that have a history of getting cargo to its destination intact, no matter the type of goods they are carrying and the length of the journey.

We pay particularly close attention to orders that are fragile or perishable, making sure that the carrier has the equipment to store it carefully. You can trust us to prevent any harm from coming to your goods along the way.

End-to-End Customer Support

Our team of professionals works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every shipment arrives on time, and in optimal condition, at its final destination.

Shipping Across North America

We offer the fastest ground and air transportation options for B2B customers across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Dedicated Single Point of Contact

We’re with you along every mile of your journey. Get peace of mind with a dedicated single point of contact.

What factors influence air freight shipping costs in 2025?

Air freight charges are driven by a mix of factors. Carriers base rates on the shipment’s chargeable weight (the greater of actual or volumetric weight), distance, and fuel costs. Surcharges for fuel, security, and handling (terminal fees, etc.) are added on top. Most critically, market supply and demand play a large role. When e-commerce and industrial demand soak up available belly space and freighter capacity, rates rise; conversely, abundant capacity or lower fuel prices can ease costs. Industry reports note that sustained e-commerce demand is consuming capacity and keeping rates high.

How is air freight shipping cost calculated?

Air freight pricing is based on the shipment’s chargeable weight, which is the greater of actual weight or volumetric (dimensional) weight. To compute volumetric weight, carriers multiply the package’s length×width×height and divide by a standard divisor (often 5,000 or 6,000 for cm measurements). After determining chargeable weight, the carrier applies a per-kilogram rate. On top of the base freight rate, shippers must also pay surcharges (fuel, security, peak-season fees, etc.). In practice, airlines typically quote a rate per kg and then add known surcharges to arrive at the final cost.

What types of goods are commonly shipped by air freight?

Air freight is generally used for goods where speed or value matters. In fact, air cargo accounts for roughly one-third of global trade by value. Typical categories include electronics and high-tech components, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, automotive and aerospace parts, and fashion or luxury goods – basically items that are high-value or urgently needed. Perishable goods like fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers are also common, since they need fast delivery and careful handling. In summary, shippers choose air freight for goods that must move quickly or are too valuable to risk slower transit.

What security measures apply to air freight cargo?

All air cargo is subject to stringent security screening. Under U.S. regulations, every shipment tendered for air transport must be screened or inspected for prohibited items. Shippers must consent to this screening; otherwise the carrier will refuse the cargo. In practice, cargo on passenger flights must be screened at an approved facility or come from a Known Shipper. The TSA requires certified cargo screening or handling programs (e.g. the Certified Cargo Screening Program) to ensure a chain-of-custody for screened freight. Additionally, there are specific security rules for different aircraft types (e.g. “12+5” program for smaller all-cargo planes). Overall, security is baked into the air cargo supply chain to prevent threats.

How can shippers reduce or optimize air freight costs?

Shippers can manage costs by planning and consolidating carefully. Avoiding last-minute, urgent shipments can prevent premium spot rates. Grouping smaller shipments into larger consolidated loads maximizes volume discounts and lowers per-unit costs. Efficient packaging that reduces unused space can also lower volumetric weight charges. Booking space under annual or index-linked contracts with carriers or forwarders often yields better rates than one-off bookings. Lastly, staying flexible on transit times (within reason) can allow use of slower, cheaper flights. Given current high demand, it’s especially important to work with knowledgeable forwarders and seek negotiated rates to avoid unnecessary surcharges.

How reliable are air freight schedules compared to other shipping modes?

Air freight schedules are generally very reliable. Airlines operate on fixed schedules (e.g. daily flights on set routes), so once cargo is booked on a flight, the departure time is usually guaranteed. This contrasts with ocean freight, where port congestion or vessel delays can disrupt schedules. As a result, air shipments often have more predictable transit times. Of course, weather or other operational issues can still cause delays, but in normal conditions air is considered a highly dependable mode for meeting delivery windows.

Are there weight or size limits for air cargo shipments?

Yes. Every aircraft and airline has maximum weight and size limits per piece of cargo. A typical passenger jet’s cargo hold can accommodate pallets or containers up to a certain weight (often a few tons) and dimensions (height/width/length). Very heavy or oversized shipments may exceed standard limits and require special arrangements (such as being broken into smaller pieces or moved on a freighter with higher capacity). Shippers should check with their carrier about maximum piece weight and dimension limits for the chosen aircraft. Forwarders often advise on whether a shipment is considered “out of gauge” (too large) and may help arrange charter if needed.

Do I need a customs broker for air freight imports?

While not legally required, hiring a customs broker is highly recommended. U.S. customs clearance involves complex paperwork, and brokers are licensed to handle it efficiently. One industry guide notes that incomplete or incorrect documentation can lead to major delays and headaches. A broker will prepare and file the entry on your behalf, classify the goods, and ensure all duties are paid correctly. For most businesses, the small broker fee is worth the time and compliance risk it saves, especially for high-value or complicated shipments.

Why should businesses consider using air freight instead of other modes?

Businesses choose air freight when speed and reliability outweigh cost concerns. Air transport is uniquely fast – an international air shipment takes days instead of weeks – making it ideal for time-critical deliveries. Air freight is also preferred for high-value or sensitive goods (as mentioned above, it carries roughly one-third of global trade by value). Examples include emergency medical supplies, high-tech components, and perishable or high-end consumer products. If quick turnaround is essential – for instance, restocking inventory for a sales surge or delivering spare parts to keep production running – air freight can be the best choice. In short, air freight is justified when the need for speed, security, or just-in-time delivery outweighs the higher transportation cost.

When is an air freight charter the best option?

Charters are ideal for oversized machinery, humanitarian aid, or extremely urgent shipments that require direct routings or fly to airports without scheduled cargo service. While costly, they provide maximum control over timing and handling.