It’s super easy to pack your car and ship it away in an airplane, but it’s almost always super tough on your wallet. As soon as you search how much to fly a vehicle on a plane, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about - the most negligible costs are still in 4 figures.
But if budget is not your concern and you’re simply thinking, can you transport cars by airplane, then perhaps you’re looking for more of a cost-to-value comparison instead of whether you can afford it. So, we’ll glide this guide in the direction of whether a car can be transported by plane. Ready? Let’s jump right in:
Shipping a Car by Airplane: Benefits and Considerations
- Super Fast Delivery. Without a doubt, air transportation has no match when you are on a tight deadline and need the vehicle to reach its destination fast. No road traffic, speed limits, traffic signals, and heavy haulers with slower speeds directly contribute to the faster delivery. For instance, consider moving across the country. Traditional methods might take weeks, but your car can be with you in just a few days with air transport.
- Privacy for High-Value Vehicles: Now, for those who own that glittering Lamborghini or precious vintage Ford, air transport is particularly ideal. Valuable, rare, or luxury vehicles require the utmost care and protection during transit. Airplanes offer a secure environment, away from potential road damage or theft. Imagine being a proud owner of a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, one of the rarest cars. You would want to avoid risking it on a truck across bumpy roads. That’s where air transport shines.
- Top Safety: Moving on to safety and reliability, commercial air transport is statistically the safest way to move goods, including cars with only 16 fatalities from 2010 to 2019.
Shipping a vehicle on an airplane means it’s much safer and away from the dangers of a road. Vehicles are parked and secured in massive cargo holds that shield them from weather, flying debris on road, and other potential hazards. Let’s say you need to ship a high-profile vehicle to an auto show across the country, a single scratch could be disastrous. Air transport ensures this doesn’t happen.
- Super Simple: Air transport’s convenience and time-saving benefits are unmatched. From car handover to its delivery, the process is handled with VIP protocols in place, ensuring efficiency, safety, and professionalism. You don’t have to worry about anything else and continue with your other urgent tasks. For example, consider a busy executive moving from New York to Paris. They don’t have the time to drive or wait for weeks. With air transport, their car can be ready and waiting when they land, making the process seamless.
The Not-So-Good Bits of Airplane Car Transports:
- Potentially Higher Cost Compared to Other Methods: When moving your treasured vehicle, you might think, “Can you transport cars by airplane?” Yes, it does sound great, just like you see in the movies where luxury vehicles are driven up and down the airplane’s cargo hold. However, the cost of shipping a car by airplane can be up to 20 times more than other modes of shipping. Of course this is a generalized estimate, the difference is lower for car shipping but it still is 5-10 times at least. Yes, your car gets to travel in style, flying high in the sky, but the bill might shock you.
- Restrictions on Heavy and Oversized Vehicles: Though large cargo airplanes like Boeing 747 and C-5 Galaxy can even carry RVs, some converted and modified vehicles with irregular dimensions such as specialized tractors or heavy-duty cranes might not be allowed on airplanes for transport.
- Considerations for Personal Belongings and Gas Levels: Many overlook something when they’re all excited about the prospect of their car flying. Have you considered the rules regarding personal belongings and gas levels? When it comes to airplane transportation, your car needs to be almost empty. This means not only can you not stuff your car with personal belongings, but the gas tank must also be nearly empty. Imagine you just filled up your tank, ready for your car to hit the road once it lands, and then you get the news – nearly all that gas has to go. Oh, and forget about leaving your favorite CD in the car stereo or your kid’s car seat in the back – personal items are a no-go in car shipping.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Super Fast Delivery | Potentially Higher Cost |
| Privacy for High-Value Vehicles | Restrictions on Heavy and Oversized Vehicles |
| Top Safety | Considerations for Personal Belongings and Gas Levels |
Understanding the Cost of Shipping a Car by Airplane:
The general cost range for shipping a car by airplane can vary dramatically. For state-to-state transport, you might be looking at a cost range between $5,000 to $10,000. If going international, you may look at a whopping amount between $15,000 and $20,000. A broad spectrum. But why such a vast range, you may ask? Well, because it’s an expensive mode of transport compared to sea shipping.
Remember that air shipping is generally 12 to 16 times more expensive than RoRo sea freight. That said, here are a couple of factors that can affect the final shipping expense you pay:
Factors influencing the cost of air freight
- The shipping distance and the destination are the primary cost drivers. The farther your car needs to travel, the higher the cost you’ll pay. For example, shipping a car across the country will be a lot cheaper than shipping it internationally.
- The next factor is your car’s weight and size. Smaller vehicles are comparatively cheaper to ship than SUVs. This is because they have significantly less cargo space.
- Special handling services, while convenient, also contribute to the final cost. These services include rush deliveries, enclosed transport, and protecting your car from the weather.
Comparison of costs with other transportation methods.
Road-bound car carriers are a cost-effective option for shorter distances. For example, transporting a car from New York to Florida via truck might cost around $600 - $800, less than airplane transport. However, airplane transport might be the only option for longer distances or international shipping when moving high-value cars.
For overseas transport, shipping by sea is another alternative. While it might be cheaper, it’s significantly slower than airplane transport. For instance, shipping a car from the US to Australia via sea might take 3-4 weeks, whereas an airplane could arrive in a few days.
Preparing Your Car for Airplane Shipping:
Ensuring the Automobile is in good running condition
Before sending off your car, we highly recommend giving your car a once-over. This should include looking at your engine, brakes and tires. Taking care of these important things beforehand means fewer headaches later on.
Limits on personal items and gasoline levels
Now, moving on to what’s inside your car. More specifically, your personal belongings and fuel. While this may seem like the perfect excuse to ship your extra belongings, your car actually needs to be completely cleaned out before shipping it. You’re also required to keep your tank only about a quarter full. The Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations have strict requirements regarding this, since fuel is considered a class 1 flammable liquid (highest ignition potential).
Documentation required for customs and identification
Now, for the paperwork, because you can’t expect to ship your car without proper documentation. Just like you can’t board a plane without a passport, valid ID and a boarding pass, your car needs all the right documents. This includes proof of ownership, identification, insurance and an air waybill. If you’re flying your car internationally, make sure to factor in the customs fees.
Choosing a Reliable Air Transport Company
Researching air transport options for cars
While you can ship your car on an airplane, it’s not entirely as simple as booking a flight for yourself. Most companies offer this service, but there aren’t a ton of options out there. Finding the right company will take a little digging. Don’t worry though, professional services can walk you through the entire process with no problem at all.
Since you’ve got only a handful of options, it’s all the more important to choose the right company. Just like you wouldn’t hand your car keys to a stranger, you shouldn’t handover your hard-earned investment to just any company. Too many people have rushed their decision, handing their car to unreliable operators who have either damaged their property or hit them with surprise charges. Take your time to research the best air transport company.
Questions to ask potential service providers
Now that you’ve understood the gravity of finding a reliable operator, it’s time to ask all the right questions. Start by establishing their track record. How experienced are they in shipping vehicles such as yours? This isn’t simply about shipping your vehicle from one point to another, it’s about making sure your vehicle arrives in the exact same condition as you left it. You want to work with people who know exactly what they’re doing.
Your next focus is insurance and whether they’ve got tracking services. Tracking services, while not mandatory, are helpful. It’s comforting knowing where your vehicle is at any given moment. Moreover, have they got proper cargo coverage to fully cover any potential damages? While you can ship your vehicle without insurance, the risk isn’t worth it. This is important to protect your investment.
Lastly, the most important thing is to make sure you’re fully aware of all the costs involved, delivery timeframes and any extra charges that might be applicable. Afterall, the last thing you need is to be thrown off track by surprise charges. That too, after you’ve already agreed to the terms and conditions.
If you need your vehicle on a specific date, make sure to verify whether they’re able to deliver on this promise. Any reputable company would be more than happy to answer any of your concerns.
The 6-Step Process of Shipping a Car by Airplane
Requesting and Comparing Quotes
Start by gathering car shipping quotes from multiple operators. To do this, you need to contact several air transport companies and request comprehensive pricing estimates. For example, our team provides free, accurate and comprehensive quotes for car shipping with no strings attached. Your aim here isn’t just to look for the cheapest option. You need to factor in the company’s reputation in the market, their experience in car shipping and insurance policies.
Scheduling Vehicle Collection and Airline Booking
Once you’ve chosen your car shipping provider, your next step is to schedule. This involves two main components: scheduling your car pick up and securing its place on the airplane flight.
Preparing and Securing the Vehicle for Transport
Now, preparing your car for shipping requires some essential steps, such as giving it a thorough clean, removing all personal belongings and turning off any alarm systems so they don’t go off mid-flight. Your vehicle’s security is just as important and requires a professional. The shipper should ensure your car remains put and protected throughout the flight with the help of industrial strength restraints, as per The Federal Aviation Administration’s safety regulations.
Customs Paperwork and Identification Requirements
Customs requirements can seem challenging at first. But having the right guidance can make the process totally doable. You’ll be required to submit complete documentation of your vehicle, including your ID, vehicle registration and any insurance papers. Our team of experts knows these requirements inside out and we can help you through all international shipping regulations and customs requirements when you use our sea based international auto shipping.
Tracking and Monitoring the Shipment’s Progress
Real-time tracking takes a lot of anxiety out of shipping your vehicle. Once your car’s been boarded, modern tracking systems allow you to monitor the progress of your vehicle throughout. For example, we provide our clients with regular status updates so you’re never left wondering where your vehicle is or when it’ll arrive.
Delivery and Post-Arrival Procedures
Once the airplane’s landed, your vehicle is carefully unloaded and thoroughly inspected. This makes sure that your vehicle arrives in the exact same condition you sent it out for delivery. Once the inspection is complete, they should deliver your vehicle to your drop-off location. As a full-service company, your air transporter should handle everything from airport pickup all throughout the final delivery at your doorstep.
Parting Words:
Although we don’t offer airplane shipping at Easy Auto Ship, it is the fastest mode to move your car from one state to another or internationally. However, be prepared to have a hole burned into your wallet as the costs are sometimes even 10x the costs you’ll incur with truck transportation. Let us know if you’d like us to move your cars in super secure, enclosed trailers with expedited pickup, and we’ll offer you free, no-obligation quotes in minutes.
