Are you looking for a fast, reliable way to ship essential freight? If so, then air freight companies offer the perfect solution. However, not every shipping service is right for every business.
With that in mind, the team at Freight Waves has cut through the noise and identified the top 10 air freight companies. In addition, we answer common questions you may have about freight.
How Do Air Freight Companies Work?
Shipping air freight is a relatively straightforward process. A logistics service provider will coordinate pickup with a local carrier. The carrier will respond to your warehouse and take possession of your shipment. The freight will then be delivered to the airport and loaded on a plane for delivery.
Things to Consider with an Air Freight Company
If you have never utilized an air freight company before, you might not know what to look for when you’re choosing a shipping partner. When you’re reviewing air freight companies, make sure to consider the following factors.
Quick Delivery Time
The largest appeal of air freight is speed. When you’re selecting a shipping partner, find out who offers the fastest delivery times.
Reliable Reputation
Getting your materials delivered quickly does you no good if the product is damaged in the process. That is why you need to make sure that an air freight company has a reputation for being reliable.
Wide Reach
The “reach” of air freight companies refers to their service area. Do they specialize in continental deliveries? Do they offer global shipping? Make sure that the provider can handle all of your shipping needs.
Up-to-Date Licensing
Air freight is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world. Air freight providers must have up-to-date licensing in order to be in compliance with these regulations. If your provider’s licensing is out of date, then your freight may be delayed.
Issue Handling
Even the most efficient air freight companies can still make mistakes. That is why it is important to find out how each provider handles issues as they arise.
Shipping Rates
Air freight rates are calculated by volumetric or actual weight. When you’re considering which company to partner with, find out who offers the best shipping rates.
Traceability
Does the air freight company have an easy tracking platform? Make sure to find out before choosing a shipping provider.
10 Best Air Freight Companies
Now that you know what to look for in an aerial transporter, it is time to break down the top 10 air freight companies in existence today. Our list includes:
Hellman Worldwide Logistics
Best For: Global Shipping
Hellman Worldwide Logistics provides global freight solutions via air, sea, road, and rail resources.
Location: Osnabruck, Germany
Employees: 10,696
Company Founded: 1871
Shipping Rates: Varies by item type and shipping option
Air Freight: 595,300 metric tons (2019)
Estimated Revenue: $2.7 billion (2019)
Special Features
- Sea-to-air shipping (utilizes both options to cut costs)
- Industry-specific solutions
Benefits
- Reliable
- Global service area
- Flexible shipping options
Disadvantages
- Pricier than some options
Kintetsu World Express
Best For: Custom Solutions
KWE is another global air freight provider. They offer virtually every shipping solution imaginable.
Location: Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
Employees: 18,140
Company Founded: 1948
Shipping Rates: Based on shipping options
Air Freight: 600,849 metric tons
Estimated Revenue: $5.3 billion
Special Features
- Regional offices in multiple countries
- User-friendly tracking
- Overnight shipping options
Benefits
- Great industry reputation
- Fast
- Provides unique air freight solutions
Disadvantages
- Expensive
DSV
Best For: Transporting Specialized Equipment
DSV employs roughly 60,000 people across 80 countries, resulting in a massive freight transportation network.
Location: Hedehusene, Denmark
Employees: Approximately 60,000
Company Founded: 1976
Shipping Rates: Obtain a quote online
Air Freight: 689,000 metric tons
Estimated Revenue: $11.39 billion
Special Features
- Online booking
- Self-service options
- Warehouse management
Benefits
- Obtain quotes rapidly online
- Easy shipment tracking
Disadvantages
- Can be tough to connect with agents via phone
Bollore Logistics
Best For: High Volume Recurring Shipping
If you need to ship a particularly high volume of freight on a regular basis, Bollore Logistics is a great option.
Location: Puteaux, France
Employees: 35,000
Company Founded: 1986
Shipping Rates: Contact for quotes
Air Freight: 574,000 Metric Tons
Estimated Revenue: $24.84 billion
Special Features
- Largest transport network in Africa
- Trade compliance specialists
Benefits
- Affordable when transporting large volumes
- Agile supply chain solutions
Disadvantages
- Single shipping options are expensive
Nippon Express
Best For: Growing Businesses
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Employees: 73,549
Company Founded: 1937
Shipping Rates: Depends on destination and cargo size/type
Air Freight: Approximately 900,000 metric tons
Estimated Revenue: $16 billion
Special Features
- State-of-the-art logistics tech
Benefits
- Great customer service
- Solutions for small businesses
Disadvantages
- Better options available for large supply chains
UPS Supply Chain Solutions
Best For: Domestic Solutions
While UPS is a global air freight provider, they are one of the few on our list that is headquartered in the U.S.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Employees: 543,000
Company Founded: 1988
Shipping Rates: Contact for quote
Air Freight: 935,000 metric tons
Estimated Revenue: $13 billion
Special Features
- User-friendly app
- Customizable solutions
Benefits
- Exceptional customer service
- Strong reputation
- Fast shipping options
Disadvantages
- Not the cheapest solution
Expeditors
Best For: Supply Chain Solutions
Expeditors is another U.S. air freight company that provides excellent supply chain solutions.
Location: Seattle, Washington
Employees: 18,000+
Company Founded: 1979
Shipping Rates: Must request quote online
Air Freight: Over 1 million metric tons
Estimated Revenue: $8.1 billion
Special Features
- Easy freight tracking
- Advanced route planning practices
Benefits
- Great for meeting tight deadlines
- Money-saving options via intermodal shipping
- Excellent customer service
Disadvantages
- Expedited air freight is expensive
DB Schenker USA
Best For: Large Companies
DB Schenker USA is one of the largest supply chain logistic services in the U.S.
Location: Miami, USA
Employees: 72,000
Company Founded: 2007
Shipping Rates: Obtain a quote online
Air Freight: Over 1.3 million metric tons
Estimated Revenue: Approximately $17.7 billion
Special Features
- Connect 4.0 software
- Works with virtually every industry
Benefits
- High volume of air freight
- Massive supply chain network
Disadvantages
- More affordable options for small businesses
Kuehne + Nagel
Best For: International, Large Volume Shipping
K+N has more than 300 global air freight teams throughout the world. They can handle even the largest supply chain shipping demands.
Location: Feusisberg, Switzerland
Employees: 78,249
Company Founded: 1890
Shipping Rates: Varies
Air Freight: 1.7 million metric tons
Estimated Revenue: $19 billion
Special Features
- Operates in over 100 countries
- 1400 facilities
Benefits
- Leverages latest innovations
- Great customer service
- Can meet the needs of specialized industries
Disadvantages
- Not the best option for regional, small volume shipping
DHL Supply Chain
Best For: Any Air Freight
DHL is a true do-it-all air freight company. They can handle everything from small shipping tasks to massive supply chain volume.
Location: Bonn, Germany
Employees: 508,000
Company Founded: 1969
Shipping Rates: Obtain a quote online
Air Freight: 2,150,000 metric tons
Estimated Revenue: $15.1 billion
Special Features
- Advanced mapping software
- Over 1,400 warehouses
Benefits
- Largest global network
- Storage solutions
- Expertise in transporting all types of freight
Disadvantages
- More affordable options are available from other providers
Choosing the Right Air Freight Provider
The 10 air freight companies outlined above all have an exceptional industry reputation. Each company excels at meeting specific air freight shipping needs. By assessing each choice using the criteria discussed, you can find the best air freight provider for your shipping needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The maximum weight of air freight will vary depending on the type of aircraft that a provider uses.
Air freight cost is calculated by chargeable weight. Depending on the provider, chargeable weight may be volumetric or actual weight.
Yes, sea freight is significantly cheaper than air freight. However, air freight is faster and more reliable.
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