The definition of air cargo service is simple. It is simply the extra advantages that a cargo transportation service will offer to their customers. Many air cargo companies have a large list of services that they offer, depending on the type of airline. If a company is responsible for transporting passengers, then their service list will look different than that of a company involved in transporting goods.

Each air cargo company decides what services to offer to its customers. Some companies offer more services than others. Services offered to passenger airlines can include: baggage handling, ticket verification, skycap, unaccompanied minor escorts, wheelchair services, and many more. Services offered as part of freight shipping services can include things such as, road feeder services between different airports and airport to inland container depots, air cargo clearance centers, centers for perishable cargo, and warehousing for bonded and non bonded air cargo.

Another important service for air cargo companies is document control. If documents for the air cargo are not always one hundred percent in line, then things are much more likely to go wrong. A good air cargo company will ensure that all the documents for their cargo are in order.

With the increased safety requirements imposed on the air cargo industry and the world in general since 2001, it has been harder and more expensive to ship goods by air. Containers can only be a certain size, weight limits are different, only so many toxic materials can be sent on a plane at once; it is astonishing how many new restrictions the industry has received since then. With these newer restrictions on cargo airlines, it is more important than ever to choose a cargo company that offers reliable air cargo service options to the client, for whom they are hauling cargo.

A very important service that a cargo airline should offer is the service of air cargo tracking. Being able to track a shipment, and knowing where it is at any given time is invaluable to the business or company that is shipping the goods. Knowing what fees are charged for what goods is also important before picking a shipping airline. Additionally, it is extremely important to be aware of what goods are legal to ship through the air and which are not. A cargo agent will usually handle these kinds of issues if the business has one employed.

It is important when choosing a cargo airline to ensure that they give appropriate air cargo service. The little extra features that a company offers can really make the difference between a pleasant shipping experience and a horrible one. Also, always be aware of the airport security laws, what is legal to ship by air, and what type of containers are necessary to ship certain goods by air. Good air cargo companies will aide you greatly in these decisions.