Air Freight
Air freight is cargo moved on passenger or freighter aircraft, priced by chargeable weight and booked either airport to airport or door to door. It is the fastest way to move freight between continents: the flight from Asia to the US takes one to three days, and a door to door shipment typically lands within one to two weeks once airport recovery, customs clearance, and final delivery are counted. Shippers fly freight when a launch, a stockout, or a production line cannot wait for ocean transit.
Why it matters
Air freight costs several times more per kilogram than ocean freight, so the decision to fly is a margin decision. Compare quotes on the same basis: an airport to airport rate leaves out pickup, airport handling, customs clearance, and delivery, while a door to door quote carries them, and duty and import tax are billed after arrival either way. Knowing what a quote includes is the difference between a fair comparison and a surprise invoice.
When to use it
Fly the first order and float the rest. Air freight fits samples, launch inventory, replacement parts, and any shipment where a two week delay costs more than the freight premium. For steady replenishment, ocean freight with a planned lead time is almost always cheaper per unit. Compare both before booking: on Warp, the air and ocean legs price live side by side.
How Warp thinks about it
Warp returns an air freight quote live from real flight schedules on major Asia lanes, and the shipper locks a tier on the spot. Live capture October 20, 2026, across every speed tier: Shanghai to Chicago $7,432 to $7,849 for 2 pallets at 544 kg (1,200 lb) and $40,314 to $42,910 for 12 pallets at 3,266 kg (7,200 lb), about $12.34 to $14.42 per kg across the load sizes; Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles $5,163 to $5,632 for 2 pallets at 454 kg (1,000 lb), about $11.38 to $12.42 per kg. Airport recovery, clearance coordination, and delivery to the final door run as one plan on the Warp network.
Frequently asked questions about air freight
What is air freight?
Air freight is cargo moved on passenger or freighter aircraft, priced by chargeable weight and booked either airport to airport or door to door. It is the fastest way to move freight between continents: the flight from Asia to the US takes one to three days, and a door to door shipment typically lands within one to two weeks once airport recovery, customs clearance, and final delivery are counted. Shippers fly freight when a launch, a stockout, or a production line cannot wait for ocean transit.
Why does air freight matter in freight?
Air freight costs several times more per kilogram than ocean freight, so the decision to fly is a margin decision. Compare quotes on the same basis: an airport to airport rate leaves out pickup, airport handling, customs clearance, and delivery, while a door to door quote carries them, and duty and import tax are billed after arrival either way. Knowing what a quote includes is the difference between a fair comparison and a surprise invoice.
When should you use air freight?
Fly the first order and float the rest. Air freight fits samples, launch inventory, replacement parts, and any shipment where a two week delay costs more than the freight premium. For steady replenishment, ocean freight with a planned lead time is almost always cheaper per unit. Compare both before booking: on Warp, the air and ocean legs price live side by side.
How does Warp handle air freight?
Warp returns an air freight quote live from real flight schedules on major Asia lanes, and the shipper locks a tier on the spot. Live capture October 20, 2026, across every speed tier: Shanghai to Chicago $7,432 to $7,849 for 2 pallets at 544 kg (1,200 lb) and $40,314 to $42,910 for 12 pallets at 3,266 kg (7,200 lb), about $12.34 to $14.42 per kg across the load sizes; Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles $5,163 to $5,632 for 2 pallets at 454 kg (1,000 lb), about $11.38 to $12.42 per kg. Airport recovery, clearance coordination, and delivery to the final door run as one plan on the Warp network.