Air Freight Tracking Key Terms

Learn the terms you need to navigate air cargo and air freight forwarding

Sending and receiving products through the use of air freight can be a quick and cost-effective option for shipping, depending on whether you choose airport-to-airport delivery using a major air freight service or charter cargo that takes your freight anywhere you need it to go. Air freight tracking is available regardless of the type of service you choose, and understanding the key terms for air freight tracking will help you get the best use out of air cargo options and make sure your package is delivered safely.

 

Air freight forwarding

Air freight forwarding is one of the most common types of services for which you will need air freight tracking, because freight forwarding is in charge of picking up your package at a destination and forwarding it onward to another location. Air freight forwarding services may be responsible for tracking the package for you if the cargo is changing hands rather than staying in the charge of a single freight service.
Try: UniGroup Worldwide offers a concise definition for air freight forwarding in their glossary of air freight terms.

Airport-to-airport

Airport-to-airport delivery is a cost-effective option available from air transportation companies. Airport-to-airport delivery allows you to ship your cargo on existing flights operating between given hubs. Your freight tracking will allow you to find out when a delivery is expected at the airport and if the flight is on time or delayed.
Try: Read more definitions of airport-to-airport cargo service from United Air Lines or Blue Dart Express Limited, companies that ship and track airport-to-airport freight.

Charter

Charter flights are used when you need to ship cargo within specific time and location constraints, and involves renting the use of an entire airplane or a specific cargo area in the airplane for shipping your cargo.
Try: Fair Deal Shipping Limited and Cargo Charter Service offer additional definitions of charter shipping services by air transport.

Shipping insurance

Shipping insurance is available from most cargo shipping services, and can be purchased in several classes based on the value of the shipment. Shipping insurance will cover the cost of the cargo up to the amount of insurance purchased if the shipment is lost or damaged. Typically, you must purchase shipping insurance before the shipment is sent, so be aware of the need for insurance when you arrange the shipment.
Try: American Airlines Cargo provides an overview and guidelines for shipping insurance.

Proof of delivery

Proof of delivery, or POD, is used to ensure that your air cargo arrived at the destination. Proof of delivery is a necessary feature of air cargo tracking services when you are using freight forwarding or outsourcing shipping to another company and cannot ensure yourself that a product was delivered.
Try: Read a comprehensive definition and overview of proof of delivery from Digital Storage Solutions.

Air waybill

The air waybill, or AWB, is a certificate noting what is contained in a package. Many air freight companies use an AWB along with freight tracking to ensure that the shipment is delivered as expected. A house air waybill may be issued to customers as a specific form of tracking, while the air waybill is used by freight companies.
Try: Read a definition for air waybill from TradeXpro in its glossary of air freight terms.

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