GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 16, 2026
Airborne
Speed and global reach make air freight the transport mode of choice when transit time or cargo value outweighs cost.
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Source: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/
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Check transit time: city-to-city index
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Definition & Explanation
Speed and global reach make air freight the transport mode of choice when transit time or cargo value outweighs cost. Air freight covers the commercial carriage of goods by aircraft – on dedicated freighters or in the belly holds of passenger planes. Electronics, pharmaceuticals, perishables, and emergency spare parts are among the most common commodities. Intercontinental deliveries typically take one to three days, far outpacing ocean freight, but at substantially higher per-kilogram rates. Pricing is based on chargeable weight – the greater of actual and volumetric weight. Strict dangerous goods regulations and mandatory security screening apply to every consignment.
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Transit index
Check transit time: city-to-city index
P50/P80 transit times for sea, air and road — sourced and confidence-rated, not a carrier quote.
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