Express, priority or economy: picking an air freight service level

Air freight is the fastest way to move goods between continents, but not every air shipment needs the next available flight. Most forwarders offer several service levels, and the difference in price between them can be significant.

Express

Express services put your cargo on the first suitable flight with priority handling at both ends. They suit production line stoppages, urgent spare parts and launch stock, where a missed day costs more than the freight.

Priority

Priority services travel on direct or near-direct routings with confirmed space, without the premium of next-flight-out handling. They work well for regular replenishment of high-value or fast-moving stock.

Economy and consolidated

Economy services consolidate cargo from several shippers and may use connecting flights. Transit takes longer, but rates are noticeably lower, which makes them a good fit for goods that need to arrive faster than ocean freight allows without being urgent.

How air freight is charged

Airlines charge on whichever is greater: the actual weight or the volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is commonly calculated by dividing the cargo volume in cubic centimetres by 6,000. Light but bulky goods are therefore charged on their size, so tight, well-planned packaging can cut costs.

• Confirm the real deadline before choosing a service level.
• Share accurate dimensions and weights when you ask for a quote.
• Check whether your goods are classed as dangerous goods, such as lithium batteries, before booking.