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How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car Via Airline?

Published by Joe Webster.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car Via Airline?

Cost of Shipping a Car by Plane

Shipping a car by plane, also called air freight in the transport industry, is the most expensive method of transporting a vehicle, regardless of where it’s going and how far the distance is. So you may ask yourself, “Why would someone do it then?”

It's a reasonable inquiry, and the typical response is that the vehicle being shipped is extremely valuable, uncommon, or exotic and, hence, requires special handling to prevent damage. Throughout our more than two decades in the auto transport industry, we've seen several customers who prefer to ship via aircraft; typically, these customers are transporting a vehicle with significant sentimental or financial value. Most cars on the road can't be shipped via airline since doing so would cost more than the car is worth.

As with any vehicle shipment, the cost depends on the transport distance involved. Air freight is exponentially more expensive than other methods, so the cost goes up accordingly because of the weight and size of a car. Typically, air freight prices are in the neighborhood of thousands of dollars. To put that into perspective, you could have a vehicle shipped across the U.S. by truck for around $2,000, while that wouldn’t be enough to cover air freight across the state in many parts of the country. However, air transportation is the fastest shipping process.

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The Advantages Of Hauling A Vehicle With Air Freight

Now that we’ve sufficiently covered the high cost of air freight shipping and placed it in the context of standard transport costs, let’s look at why people ship cars via airplane.

method of transportation

As mentioned in the first section, factors that may influence people shipping cars on a Cargo plane can be because the car may be rare, antique, exotic, high-end, custom, or even one-of-a-kind. That said, it’s not uncommon to see these types of vehicles in an enclosed carrier on a transport truck, either, especially when there is insurance coverage. However, it's rare to have classic cars shipped in the open air to avoid exposure to the risk of the elements, weather, road debris, and prying eyes during the journey.

The speed and convenience of shipping cars by flight are unparalleled. It is the absolute fastest way to ship a car and the only way to have a vehicle shipped over a long distance in less than a day or two. In most cases, you can also ship other cargo, personal belongings, and other things when you use air freight, which is not an option with other methods outside of containerized shipping.

Finally, there is the important element of safety. There is very little handling or switching around of cargo when you use a ship on an airline. Most shipments are destination-direct and stop only for deliveries, meaning your car is never sitting on a truck overnight or waiting to be unloaded from a ship for several days. It’s quick, easy, and safe, which is largely why people pay the high price tag.

row of vehicles

Relevant Statistics

  • On average, it costs approximately $10,000 to fly a car on a plane for a domestic trip.
  • Flying an auto internationally can range from $15,000 to $20,000, depending on the destination.
  • Roughly 5% of private jet owners have flown their cars on planes at least once.
  • An estimated 500 cars are transported by planes annually for various reasons, including special events and emergencies.
  • The car's weight plays a significant role in pricing, with an average cost of $100 per kilogram to fly a car on a plane.

General Facts

  • Transporting a car by plane is a specialized service provided by certain cargo airlines.
  • The cost of flying an automobile on a plane can vary depending on factors such as the car's size and weight, the distance to be traveled, and any additional services required.
  • Generally, transporting a car by plane is more expensive than other modes of transportation, such as shipping by sea or road.
  • The cost of moving a motor on a plane may include fees for handling, customs clearance, and insurance.
  • It is recommended to contact specialized freight companies or cargo airlines for accurate pricing information and to inquire about any specific requirements for shipping a car by plane.

A1 Auto Transport

Do you still have questions about shipping your car via air freight? Contact A1 Auto Transport company. We are one of the leading shipping companies in the United States. With over two decades of experience in the company, we have shipped thousands of cars on air, land, ocean, and rail. We've shipped cars to and from different airports both locally and internationally, and we can assist with customs requirements for international car shipping.

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Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

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...my choice in terms of auto transport has to be A1 Auto Transport. It’s in the name, but also in the quality with which they do their jobs. I’ve never had a problem with this company.
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A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!
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I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
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There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.
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We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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