Freight aircraft are a pivotal part of the global logistics industry. They are often the fastest way to transport cargo across the globe since cargo planes can fly into any major airport as well as remote locations that aren’t easily accessible by road or sea.
But what do cargo aircraft actually look like, and which makes and models transport your goods? In this article, we’ll pay a flying visit to the cargo aircraft industry, and discuss the benefits of airfreight before covering the most popular freight aircraft types.
What are the benefits of air freight?
Air freight is the freight method of choice for any importer or exporter looking for efficient transport times with low risks of delays. The short flight times and direct journeys of most aircraft mean that delays are incredibly uncommon and, in the rare events they do occur, usually aren’t long enough to be disruptive. This is in contrast to sea freight, where a small delay can add days to a shipment’s delivery date. This also makes air freight the best choice for transporting perishable and other time-sensitive products.
The security offered by air freight is also hard to beat. Because airports have some of the most stringent security measures of any place in the world, there is a much lower risk of theft or damage to goods.
Finally, air freight is very easy to monitor making its visibility second to none. Tracking systems used by airports, airlines and logistics partners mean you can get up-to-the-minute information on the location of your goods and optimise your logistics planning as a result.
Freight aircraft types
Cargo aircraft fall into four major categories: all-cargo aircraft, mixed cargo aircraft, turboprops, and supercarrier aircraft.
All-cargo aircraft
Well-known carriers operate all-cargo plans designed purely for air freight. In some cases, these will be converted passenger aircraft re-fitted to carry cargo, in others, the aircraft will have been designed to carry cargo from the off.
All cargo aircraft can be further categorised into two types: wide-bodied aircraft, which can carry up to 100,000 pounds of cargo and narrow-bodied aircraft, which can carry up to 30,000 pounds of cargo.
Here are some of the most common all-cargo aircraft:
Boeing 747-8 Freighter
The Boeing 747-8F is the all-cargo variant of the popular 747 model, with a bigger payload capacity and better fuel efficiency. It has a range of 8,130 km and can take payloads in excess of 100 tons.
Boeing 777F
This is another all-cargo version of a popular Boeing jet and a popular choice for international deliveries. The 777 has a maximum range of 18,000 km and a maximum payload of 228,700 lb
Airbus A330-200F
The Airbus A330-200F is a dedicated freighter version of Airbus’ A330. It has a maximum range of 7400 km and a capacity of 143,300 lbs.
Mixed Cargo Aircraft
The planes you board on your holidays may be transporting more than your luggage. Mixed cargo aircraft, or combi aircraft, are passenger planes modified to carry an additional 30,000 pounds of cargo. Most of these planes are narrow-bodied aircraft and hold passengers and cargo in a 60:40 ratio.
Here is a selection of the most popular aircraft:
- Airbus A320
- Airbus A330
- Boeing 737
- Boeing 747
Turboprop aircraft
These smaller aircraft are powered by turbine engines and propellers. While they can’t carry as much as some of the other aircraft on this list, they are much more versatile and can take off from short runways. They are ideal for reaching remote locations and transporting perishable goods.
Here are three of the most common types of turboprop:
- ATR-72: A twin-engine turboprop
- Beechcraft King Air: A twin-engine turboprop
- Cessna 208 Caravan: A single-engine turboprop
Supercarrier aircraft
Supercarrier aircraft are designed specifically to carry oversized goods that won’t fit in normal planes. The following are the three most common choices:
Airbus A300-600 ST
Nicknamed the “Beluga” for its resemblance to the whale, this aircraft is designed to carry other aircraft like small planes and helicopters. It can fly up to 1667 km and carry 47 tons.
Antonov AN-225 Mriya
The Antonov AN-225 has flown a variety of items, including electric generators, wind turbines and more than 200,000 meals for American service members stationed in the Middle East. It can hold up to 150 tonnes and has a range of 15,400 km.
Boeing 747 Dreamlifter
You’ll recognise this supercarrier by its unique hinged nose that allows for goods to be loaded and unloaded from the front. It has a capacity of 65,000 cubic feet (three times that of a 747-400F) and a range of 7,800 km.
Ship by air with Pro Carrier
If you’re looking for a fast and reliable air freight service, look no further than Pro Carrier. We have a dedicated air freight offering that gives you access to major airlines with a variety of schedules. Our dedicated Air Freight team are here to assist you, ensuring that you receive the best air freight solution to suit your needs.
You’ll also get all of the other benefits that come from working with a dedicated logistics partner. That includes our customs experts, who will work with you to ensure your goods sail through customs checks, a personal account manager who will be your single point of contact, and access to our Horizon platform.
