Top Air Freight Companies in the United States

When people search for the top air freight companies in the United States, they’re usually looking for fast transit, reliable capacity during peak seasons, and cargo handling that protects shipment quality. The best choice depends on what you’re shipping, where it’s going, your delivery deadline, and any compliance requirements (battery, DG, temperature control, etc.).

This guide explains how U.S. air freight works, which air cargo carriers and forwarders fit different shipping scenarios, and how to choose the best air freight services for your business. You’ll also find a comparison table, a practical selection checklist, and clear guidance for both general cargo and specialized shipments.

Carrier comparison / Top providers

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Selection checklist

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What Counts as an Air Freight Company in the USA

In the United States, air freight is delivered through carrier-led capacity. Most “air freight companies” fall into oane of these roles.

Main carrier types

Integrated carriers

Operate aircraft and ground networks
Offer door-to-door pickup and delivery
Best for time-definite shipments and high shipment frequency

Dedicated cargo airlines

Operate freighter aircraft
Focus on airport-to-airport lift and charter capacity
Best for heavy, oversized, and project cargo

Passenger airlines with cargo divisions

Carry cargo in passenger aircraft belly capacity
Best for airport-to-airport shipments on high-frequency routes

Supporting partners that impact performance

Aviation ground support

Ramp handling and aircraft loading
ULD build-up and breakdown
Warehouse receiving, screening, and staging

Trucking partners

Airport drayage and feeder trucking
Linehaul between cities when uplift is limited

Important note for complex shipments

For complex shipments, a licensed logistics provider can manage:

Routing and booking coordination
Documentation checks
Customs clearance readiness
Exception handling communication

Capacity still comes from air cargo carriers, so choosing the right carrier and the right service level is the foundation.

Top Air Cargo Carriers in the United States

This section stays carrier-focused.

Provider	Carrier Type	Best-fit Use Case
FedEx Express	Integrated carrier	Door-to-door express and time-definite delivery
UPS Airlines	Integrated carrier	Reliable domestic air network and express shipping
Atlas Air	Dedicated cargo airline	Charter capacity and heavy or oversized cargo
United Cargo	Passenger airline cargo	Airport-to-airport on major global routes

More carrier options by category

Dedicated cargo airlines

Kalitta Air

Passenger airline cargo divisions

American Airlines Cargo
Delta Cargo

How to choose quickly

Choose integrated carriers for door-to-door speed and simplicity
Choose dedicated cargo airlines for charter, heavy freight, and special cargo
Choose passenger airline cargo for frequent airport-to-airport schedules

Air Freight vs Ocean Freight: When Air Wins

Comparing air freight and ocean freight helps clarify the best shipping solution.

Choose air when you need:

Faster transit for urgent replenishment
Higher reliability for deadlines and product launches
Better protection for high-value goods
Less inventory tied up in transit, which can improve operational efficiency

Choose ocean when you ship:

Non-urgent bulk cargo
Low-value, high-density goods that can absorb longer transit
Projects where cost dominates speed

A practical strategy is to use ocean for baseline supply and air as a surge tool when demand spikes.

Core Air Freight Services You Can Buy in the USA

Most U.S. air freight services fit into a few practical levels:

Express door-to-door for the fastest delivery with end-to-end pickup and final delivery
Airport-to-airport for shipments where you can manage local trucking and want more routing flexibility
Deferred air for lower cost when the timeline is flexible
Charter and special handling for heavy or oversized cargo, temperature-controlled freight for pharmaceutical logistics and perishables, and regulated shipments that require acceptance screening

For many shippers, the best approach is matching service level to deadline first, then optimizing price.

How Pricing Works: Competitive Pricing Starts with Chargeable Weight

Air freight pricing is simple at the core, but many costs hide in details.

Pricing foundation

Chargeable weight drives pricing

Billed as the higher of actual weight or volume weight

Lane conditions change rates

Capacity and seasonality significantly impact spot rates

Surcharges are common

Fuel surcharges
Security surcharges
Handling surcharges for special cargo

What to prepare before requesting quotes

Exact dimensions and weight
Number of cartons or pallets
Origin and destination airports or cities
Ready date and delivery deadline
Cargo description and handling needs

How to get predictable landed cost

Ask for a quote that separates:

Linehaul
Surcharges
Origin handling
Destination handling
Pickup and delivery costs

A clean breakdown prevents surprises when your shipment arrives.

Ensuring Timely Delivery: What Actually Improves Reliability

Ensuring timely delivery is rarely about choosing the biggest name. It is about reducing avoidable risks across pickup, routing, handling, and communication.

What improves reliability in real operations

Pickup discipline

Schedule pickup earlier to protect flight cutoffs
Confirm cargo ready time and avoid last-minute changes

Smarter routing

Use direct flights when possible
Reduce transfers to limit handling events

Terminal execution

Strong aviation ground support shortens receiving, screening, and build-up time
Priority handling helps time sensitive shipments move through the warehouse faster

Documentation accuracy

Clear labels improve scanning and reduce mis-sorts
Clean paperwork prevents security or compliance holds

Exception management

Proactive communication keeps all parties aligned
Fast escalation reduces delays when disruptions happen

Quick reliability checklist before you ship

Confirm pickup window and cutoff time
Verify weight, dimensions, and labels
Ensure invoice and packing list match
Choose the routing with fewer touchpoints
Set an escalation contact for exceptions

Bottom line: a reliable partner is the one that runs consistent processes, responds quickly to disruptions, and provides clear milestone updates from pickup to delivery.

Choosing the Right Carrier by Cargo Type

Different cargo types require different networks, cutoffs, and handling controls. Start with cargo profile, then match the carrier model and service level.

General cargo

Best for integrated networks and frequent schedules
Works well with standard airport handling and predictable uplift
Focus on routing stability, cutoff windows, and tracking visibility

Time sensitive shipments

Use express or time-definite services
Prioritize late cutoffs, reliable pickups, and direct routing where possible
Reduce transfers to limit handling events and missed connections

Special cargo and specialized cargo

Common examples include batteries, perishables, high-value items, and regulated goods
Typical requirements include:
- - Specific packaging rules and compliant labeling
  - Acceptance screening before uplift
  - Temperature or security controls when required
  - Unique handling processes at terminals, including priority build-up and controlled storage

if your cargo requires special handling, confirm acceptance capability for the exact lane and station before you book.

International Shipping: Customs Clearance Without Delays

For international shipping, delays usually come from documentation gaps and compliance issues, not aircraft speed. The goal is simple: make your shipment “clearance-ready” before it reaches the airport.

What to get right before uplift

Match commercial invoice data to the packing list, including quantities, weights, and values
Use correct HS codes and clear product descriptions for international trade
Confirm consignee and importer requirements, including any licenses or local rules
Plan for inspection risk and local procedures that may affect release timing
Prepare customs brokerage steps in advance where required, so clearance does not start late

Best practice

Standardize documents for repeat shipments
Review paperwork early and fix inconsistencies before tender
Keep supporting files ready if customs requests them

If your team is not set up for customs workflows, use a licensed provider that can manage customs clearance and compliance documentation consistently.

Tonlexing supports exporters by coordinating routing, documentation readiness, and carrier selection across a global network, with a focus on execution quality and shipment visibility.

Supply Chain Solutions: Air Freight as a Planning Tool

Air freight is no longer only a last-minute fix. In modern supply chain solutions and global logistics, it is a planned lever to protect availability, reduce disruption risk, and support timely delivery when speed directly impacts sales or service levels.

When air freight makes sense

Peak seasons: reduce stockouts and keep best-selling SKUs available
New markets and launches: meet short launch windows and promotional deadlines
Ocean disruptions: recover timelines when ocean freight is delayed
Fast-moving commercial goods: protect revenue and prevent cancellations

How mature shippers use air for operational efficiency

Use ocean freight for baseline supply and air freight for surge or recovery shipments
Prioritize air for high-velocity, high-value, or deadline-driven items, not everything
Keep documents and packaging ready to prevent avoidable holds in handling and clearance

Geographic Coverage and Gateway Strategy in the United States

Geographic coverage matters because U.S. air cargo performance depends on gateway strength and flight frequency. The right gateway plan reduces rollovers, protects capacity in peak season, and improves on-time delivery.

Choose origin gateways with frequent uplift so you have more schedule options and fewer missed connections
Keep a backup gateway for the same lane to protect capacity when space tightens
Align warehouse timing with airport cutoffs so cargo arrives early enough for receiving and screening
Confirm destination handling capability for special cargo, especially when special handling is required

Example: life science shippers near San Diego often prioritize time-definite air freight services and strict handling rules. Electronics moving to South Korea often prioritize frequent uplift and predictable cutoffs.

How to Evaluate a Provider: A Practical Checklist

Use this checklist to compare air cargo carriers and service partners:

Deadline fit: service level, pickup window, and cutoff times match your timeline
Lane strength: reliable coverage on your routes, with backup options when space is tight
Visibility: tracking and milestone updates you can share with customers
Handling: proven capability for special cargo, including regulated or temperature needs
Accountability: clear claims policy, insurance choices, and defined escalation contacts
Peak stability: consistent performance and transparent capacity rules in busy seasons
Process: clear SOPs for pickup, documents, and handover to reduce errors

Tonlexing helps businesses compare shipping solutions across carrier options while keeping execution simple, consistent, and aligned with business needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top air freight companies in the United States?

For door-to-door speed, integrated air cargo carriers are commonly chosen. For charter, heavy lift, and oversized shipments, dedicated cargo airlines are often the better fit. For airport-to-airport moves on major lanes, passenger airline cargo divisions can be a strong option. The best choice depends on cargo type, deadline, and handling requirements.

What is the difference between air cargo carriers and air freight services?

Air cargo carriers provide the aircraft capacity and move the freight. Air freight services describe what you buy, such as express, deferred, airport-to-airport, or charter, plus any special handling requirements.

How do I improve the odds of ensuring timely delivery?

Protect cutoffs with early pickup, choose direct routings when possible, and reduce transfers to limit handling events. Keep labels and documents accurate, and confirm terminal receiving hours and capability for your cargo. Reliable milestone updates and proactive communication also reduce delay impact.

When should I use air freight instead of ocean freight?

Use air freight for time sensitive shipments, high-value goods, and fast moving commercial goods where delays create real business loss. Use ocean freight for bulky, non-urgent cargo where cost matters more than speed.

What should I check for specialized cargo?

Confirm acceptance rules for the exact lane and station, not just the carrier name. Verify packaging and labeling requirements, temperature or security needs, and whether terminals can support special handling processes such as controlled storage and priority build-up.

How is air freight pricing calculated in the United States?

Pricing is typically based on chargeable weight, which is the higher of actual weight and volume weight. Total cost is influenced by lane capacity, seasonality, service level, and common surcharges such as fuel, security, and special handling. For predictable cost, request a quote that separates linehaul, surcharges, and origin and destination handling.

Do I need customs brokerage for international air freight shipments?

For most international shipping, customs brokerage is required or strongly recommended to complete customs clearance smoothly. Clean documents, correct HS codes, and importer readiness are the main factors that prevent holds. If your team does not manage customs workflows often, using a licensed provider can reduce clearance delays.

What information should I provide to get an accurate air freight quote?

Provide exact dimensions and weight, carton or pallet count, cargo description, origin and destination city or airport, ready date, and your delivery deadline. Also note any special handling needs such as temperature control, regulated goods, or high-value security. Clear inputs lead to faster quoting and fewer pricing surprises.

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Get an Air Freight Quote in the United States

Fast transit options for urgent shipments
Capacity planning during peak seasons
Support for compliance (DG, batteries, temperature-sensitive cargo)

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