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Air cargo charter is the booking of an entire freighter aircraft — from a 2-tonne turboprop to a 120-tonne Antonov AN-124 — dedicated exclusively to one shipment. Unlike scheduled air freight, where cargo shares space on a fixed timetable, a charter departs when you decide, flies where you need, and carries what airlines can’t or won’t. Costs in 2026 range from roughly $15,000 for a short-haul light freighter to $500,000+ for an intercontinental 747-8F mission.
Scheduled air freight is a bus. A charter is your aircraft. That’s the entire distinction — and it’s the difference between hoping capacity exists and knowing it does.
Ari Jets arranges cargo charters worldwide the same way we arrange private jet charter: vetted operators, itemized quotes, one point of accountability from booking to delivery.
Here’s the honest framing most cargo websites skip: if your shipment fits standard dimensions and your deadline is flexible, scheduled air freight at $3.50–$6.50 per kilogram is the right buy. Belly capacity on passenger networks has recovered, and on well-served lanes it’s efficient.
Charter takes over in four situations:
The number everyone wants first:
| Aircraft class | Example types | Payload | Indicative hourly rate | Typical mission cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop feeder | Cessna Caravan, ATR 72F | 1–8 t | $4,000 – $6,000 | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Narrowbody freighter | 737-400F/800BCF, A321F | 15–23 t | $10,000 – $15,000 | $40,000 – $120,000 |
| Widebody freighter | 767F, A330F | 40–60 t | $18,000 – $28,000 | $100,000 – $250,000 |
| Large widebody | 777F, 747-400F/8F | 100–130 t | $30,000 – $55,000 | $200,000 – $500,000+ |
| Outsize/heavy-lift | AN-124, IL-76 | up to 120–150 t | Mission-priced | $350,000+ |
A professional quote itemizes every line above. A single round number with no breakdown is a quote you should question.
From roughly $15,000 for a short-haul light freighter to $500,000+ for an intercontinental Boeing 747-8F mission. Indicative 2026 hourly rates: turboprops $4,000–$6,000, narrowbody freighters $10,000–$15,000, 767F-class widebodies $18,000–$28,000, and 777F/747F $30,000–$55,000, with AN-124 outsize missions priced per project from about $350,000. Fuel and security surcharges typically add 20–50%.
For AOG and emergencies, an aircraft can be airborne within hours of confirmation on established corridors. Routine charters are typically arranged within 24–48 hours; routes requiring complex overflight permits may need 48–72 hours.
Because you’re securing the entire aircraft, the cost reflects the aircraft’s operating economics on that routing — block hours, positioning, fuel, permits, handling — not your cargo’s weight. The aircraft costs the same to fly whether it carries 10 tonnes or 25, which is why right-sizing the airframe matters more than negotiating the rate.
The empty flight required to move the aircraft from where it’s currently based to your departure airport, charged at the same hourly rate as the loaded leg. Sourcing an aircraft already positioned near your origin is one of the largest levers on total cost.
Yes — that’s one of its core purposes. Nose-loading 747 freighters and ramp-loading AN-124/IL-76 aircraft carry loads up to 120–150 tonnes, including vehicles, turbines, industrial machinery, and equipment that physically cannot travel on scheduled freighters.
Booking 7+ days ahead secures standard market rates with multiple aircraft options. Expect roughly a 10–20% premium at 3–7 days, 25–50% inside 72 hours, and maximum pricing for same-day departures limited to aircraft already positioned nearby.
Yes — under IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, with DG-certified documentation and operators holding the specific approvals for your commodity class, including lithium batteries and battery-powered vehicles (UN 3171).
Yes. Vehicles, bloodstock, perishables, pharmaceuticals, and live animals each move under dedicated procedures — see the specialized service pages for each, or send the details and we’ll route it correctly.
