Air freight services are the transportation of cargo by aircraft — domestically or internationally — when transit speed is the priority and ground or ocean freight cannot meet the required delivery timeline. Air freight is used for time-critical shipments, high-value goods, emergency supply chain coverage, temperature-sensitive products, and cargo where the cost of delay significantly exceeds the cost of air transport.
When a procurement director calls us about air freight it's almost never because they planned it that way. It's because something changed. A production line is down. A customer shipment missed its ocean sailing. A critical chemical isn't where it needs to be and every hour of delay has a cost attached to it.
That's the air freight buyer. And that buyer needs one thing above all else — a logistics partner who picks up the phone, understands the situation immediately, and has a solution confirmed before the call ends.
Total Connection handles air freight the same way we handle everything else — one point of contact, complete ownership of the outcome, no handoffs to figure it out. We cover domestic and international lanes, hazmat and dangerous goods by air, temperature-controlled cargo, and full charter arrangements when the volume or urgency demands it. Whatever the situation, we have the capability to move it.
Our air freight services
International air freight
Global air cargo from North America to all major international destinations — Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Direct and indirect routings, major hub and secondary airport coverage, full documentation management.
Hazmat air freight (IATA dangerous goods)
Air freight for dangerous goods classified under IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations — flammable liquids, toxic substances, corrosives, and other regulated materials. Full IATA compliance, shipper's declaration preparation, carrier approval coordination.
Temperature-controlled air cargo
Air freight for pharmaceuticals, biologics, chemicals, and food products requiring temperature maintenance throughout the air journey — cool chain packaging, dry ice logistics, temperature-monitored routing.
Air freight vs ocean freight
Not sure which mode is right for your shipment? The decision involves more than just cost — transit time, cargo type, urgency, and supply chain implications all factor in. We help you make the right call.
Air charter — when it's big and you need it NOW
When a standard air freight booking won't cut it — too much volume, too urgent, too specialized — we arrange dedicated air charter. Full aircraft or partial charter, domestic or international, available around the clock.
Who we move air freight for
Chemical and pharmaceutical companies
Time-critical chemical shipments where production schedules can't wait for ocean freight. Pharmaceutical products requiring temperature-controlled air transport. Hazardous materials requiring IATA-compliant air freight management.
Industrial manufacturers
Emergency spare parts for production equipment. Critical components that missed a sea shipment. New tooling needed urgently at a manufacturing facility. Air freight as the solution when the cost of downtime exceeds the cost of flying it.
General cargo shippers
International air freight for high-value goods, time-sensitive commercial shipments, and cargo where the delivery commitment to a customer cannot be met by ground or ocean transport.
Why Total Connection for air freight
We answer when you call — including at midnight
Air freight emergencies don't happen during business hours. Neither does our team. When you have an urgent freight situation that needs an air solution, you reach a person — not a voicemail, not a portal, not an answering service reading from a script.
Hazmat air freight is a core capability, not a special request
Most air freight providers treat dangerous goods as an exception that requires escalation. We handle IATA dangerous goods as a standard part of our air freight operation — because our background is in chemical logistics and regulated freight is what we know.
Charter capability when standard air freight isn't enough
We have access to full and partial aircraft charter for situations where the volume, urgency, or cargo type exceeds what scheduled airline services can accommodate. You don't need to find a charter broker separately — we handle it.
One contact, door to door
From pickup at your facility through air transit to delivery at the destination — one account manager manages every piece. No handoffs between a domestic pickup provider, an air freight forwarder, and a destination delivery agent.
Temperature-controlled expertise
Pharmaceutical, biological, and temperature-sensitive chemical air freight requires more than just a cool chain claim. We coordinate proper packaging, dry ice quantities, temperature-monitored routing, and carrier selection based on lane-specific temperature data.
Frequently asked questions
What is air freight and when should I use it?
Air freight is the transportation of cargo by aircraft — faster than ocean or ground freight but typically more expensive. It makes sense when the cost of delay exceeds the cost of air transport, when your cargo has a hard delivery deadline that other modes can't meet, when your product is high-value and the transit risk of slower modes is unacceptable, or when an emergency supply chain situation requires immediate coverage. Total Connection helps shippers evaluate whether air freight is the right solution for their specific situation.
How much faster is air freight than ocean freight?
Air freight transit times are dramatically shorter than ocean freight. A trans-Pacific ocean shipment that takes 16 to 25 days by sea can be moved by air in 2 to 5 days depending on routing and service level. Trans-Atlantic shipments that take 10 to 20 days by ocean take 1 to 3 days by air. For time-critical shipments the speed difference is not marginal — it's the difference between meeting a commitment and missing it.
Can you handle air freight for hazardous materials?
Yes — and this is one of our genuine differentiators in the air freight space. IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations govern the air transport of hazardous materials and are significantly more restrictive than DOT ground transport regulations. Not all hazardous materials can be transported by air and those that can require specific packaging, marking, labeling, and documentation. Our team manages IATA DG compliance as a core capability — not as a special case that requires escalation.
What documentation is required for international air freight?
Standard international air freight documentation includes an air waybill, commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin. For hazardous cargo an IATA-compliant shipper's declaration for dangerous goods is required. Some trade lanes and commodity types require additional documentation including import licenses, phytosanitary certificates, or other country-specific documents. Total Connection manages documentation preparation for every international air freight shipment.
How are air freight rates calculated?
Air freight rates are calculated on a chargeable weight basis — the greater of actual gross weight or volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is calculated by multiplying the shipment's dimensions and dividing by a volumetric factor — typically 166 cubic inches per pound or 6,000 cubic centimeters per kilogram for most carriers. Fuel surcharges, security surcharges, and destination handling fees are additional components of the all-in air freight rate. Total Connection provides all-in quotes that include every applicable charge.
Do you offer same-day or next-day air freight?
Yes. For domestic same-day and next-day air freight we have access to expedited service options including same-day charter and next-flight-out services for critical shipments. For international same-day service, available options depend on flight schedules from your origin airport to the destination. Contact us directly for urgent same-day requirements and we'll assess the fastest available solution.
What is the difference between air freight and air express courier?
Air express courier services are designed for smaller shipments — typically under 150 lbs — with standardized service levels and automated tracking. Air freight through a forwarder like Total Connection is used for larger or more complex shipments, hazardous materials that couriers won't accept, temperature-sensitive cargo requiring specialized handling, and situations where a dedicated account manager and direct communication are required rather than automated tracking. For complex or regulated cargo, air freight through a specialist is almost always the better solution.
