Private Air Cargo Charter
Request a quote for your next cargo charter
Data & Prices Updated October 2026 1
An engine part sitting in a warehouse doesn’t help a grounded aircraft. A cold-chain shipment stuck at customs for three days can ruin the whole load. Private air cargo charter exists for exactly these situations: freight that has to move on your timeline, not the next available slot on a scheduled carrier.
We work with cargo operators ranging from small turboprop couriers to outsize freighters, so whether you’re moving a single AOG part or a planeload of trade show equipment, there’s an aircraft sized for the job.
Why Choose Us for Private Jet Charter
Every operator in our network holds current FAA Part 135 certification, or the EASA equivalent for European operators, the regulatory standard governing commercial charter operations, crew duty limits, and aircraft maintenance oversight. Combined with ARGUS/Wyvern ratings, this means every aircraft you fly with us has passed both government-mandated safety audits and independent third-party vetting.
What Is Private Air Cargo Charter?
Private air cargo charter is the booking of a dedicated aircraft to move freight on your own schedule, instead of waiting for space on a scheduled cargo carrier.
The aircraft flies your shipment and nothing else, no consolidation with other customers’ freight, no fixed departure windows, and a route built around your origin and destination rather than a hub-and-spoke network.
How Private Air Cargo Charter Works
- Submit your request — tell us the cargo type, weight, dimensions, and your route using the form below.
- Aircraft sourcing — we match your shipment to an aircraft with the right cargo hold, door size, and range.
- Quote & confirmation — our team returns a detailed quote and confirms your aircraft and schedule.
- Fly — your cargo loads and departs on your timeline, not a carrier’s.
Which Aircraft Fit Private Air Cargo?
Who Charters Private Air Cargo?
Aerospace and airline maintenance teams call us when an AOG part has to reach a grounded aircraft before the next scheduled flight can.
Pharmaceutical and medical logistics companies use cargo charter for cold-chain shipments and clinical trial materials that can’t sit in a warehouse. Industrial and energy companies move drilling equipment, generators, and other oversized freight that scheduled carriers simply can’t handle. Event and production companies charter cargo aircraft for trade show materials, stage equipment, and touring gear. Humanitarian and relief organizations use it to get supplies into areas where commercial freight service is limited or disrupted.
How Much Does Private Air Cargo Charter Cost?
You’re not paying by the pound here — you’re renting the whole aircraft, so the route and the flight hours drive most of the cost.
Weight and dimensions still matter, though: they decide which aircraft can take the job, and a bigger aircraft burns more fuel and may need specialized loading equipment.
On top of flight time, expect landing fees, ground handling, any positioning flight needed to get the aircraft to your origin airport, and overflight permits on international routes.
Rates depend heavily on aircraft size and how far the cargo has to travel. A small courier aircraft for a regional AOG run typically costs $2,500 to $3,500 per flight hour. Mid-size freighters carrying palletized cargo run $4,500 to $8,000 per hour, and an intercontinental freight route can total $45,000 to $55,000 all-in. Outsize freight — the aircraft that can carry a generator or a helicopter fuselage — costs considerably more, often $15,000 to $25,000 per hour, since so few aircraft in the world can actually do that job.
| Aircraft Class | Typical Use Case | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Courier / AOG | Small, urgent shipments, regional routes | $2,500–$3,500/hr |
| Palletized / Freight | General freight, pharma, regional to long-haul | $4,500–$8,000/hr |
| Outsize / Heavy Freight | Oversized industrial cargo, intercontinental | $15,000–$25,000/hr |
Weight, cargo dimensions, dangerous goods handling, and customs clearance at both ends can all move the final number. It’s worth sharing as much detail as possible up front — the more we know about the shipment, the faster we can find the right aircraft.
Popular Private Air Cargo Routes & Estimated Prices
| Type | Route | Distance | Est. Flight Time | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courier / AOG | Seattle (SEA) → Chicago (ORD) | 1,491 NM | 4h 58m | $12,425 |
| Palletized / Freight | Zurich (ZRH) → New York (JFK) | 3,407 NM | 7h 55m | $47,538 |
| Palletized / Freight | London (LHR) → Miami (MIA) | 3,839 NM | 8h 56m | $53,568 |
| Outsize / Heavy Freight | Hong Kong (HKG) → Los Angeles (LAX) | 6,298 NM | 13h 07m | $236,160 |
| Outsize / Heavy Freight | Houston (IAH) → Dubai (DXB) | 7,087 NM | 14h 46m | $265,680 |
| Outsize / Heavy Freight | Amsterdam (AMS) → Johannesburg (JNB) | 4,869 NM | 10h 08m | $182,520 |
Estimated indicative prices. Final pricing confirmed upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private air cargo charter cost?
Rates run from about $2,500 an hour for a small courier aircraft up to $25,000 an hour for outsize freighters. Most palletized freight charters fall between $4,500 and $8,000 per flight hour.
How fast can you arrange an AOG or urgent cargo charter?
Small courier aircraft can often be sourced and airborne within a few hours of your request, depending on aircraft positioning. Larger freighters typically need more lead time.
What size cargo can you charter for?
Anything from a single small parcel to outsize industrial equipment. Tell us the weight, dimensions, and any special handling needs, and we’ll match you to an aircraft that fits.
Can you handle dangerous goods or hazardous materials?
Many of our operators are certified to carry dangerous goods under IATA regulations. Let us know the classification of your cargo when you submit a request so we can confirm which aircraft and crews qualify.
Do you handle international shipments and customs clearance?
Yes. We coordinate with ground handlers and customs brokers at both ends of an international route, though you’ll want to loop in your own customs broker for the paperwork specific to your cargo.
Begin Your Journey
Request a quote for your private cargo charter today.
Whether it’s a single part that has to reach a grounded aircraft tonight or a full load of equipment crossing an ocean, your cargo charter starts with a conversation with our team. Our aviation advisors with decades of charter experience match the right aircraft — from a small courier plane to an outsize freighter — to your cargo, your route, and your deadline.
1 All charter rates quoted on request. Availability subject to operator schedule. Specifications sourced from manufacturer data and may vary by serial number and operator configuration. The rates and price ranges displayed on this website are for informational and estimation purposes only. Actual charter costs may vary based on aircraft availability, operator positioning, seasonal demand, real-time fuel surcharges, landing fees, and specific flight itineraries. InstantPrivateJet.com is an independent marketplace and information resource. We do not own, manage, or operate aircraft. All charters are arranged, quoted, and fulfilled directly by third-party air carriers certified by the FAA (or equivalent civil aviation authorities). Final quotes and legally binding terms will be provided directly by the operating air carrier prior to booking.