Can You Fly Cars on a Plane?

Driving your vehicle cross-country or overseas isn’t always practical, especially when time and distance are major factors. That’s where air transport comes in.

Whether you’re relocating a classic, transporting a supercar for an overseas event, or simply want the peace of mind that your car will arrive safely, air freight offers a reliable solution when you need to transport cars quickly, securely, and across long distances.

Join us in this article as we explore how transporting a car by air works, weigh up the pros and cons, and explain how safe, fast, and accurate this method really is, so that you can decide if it’s the right choice for moving your vehicle.

Can You Ship a Car Overseas by Plane?

The short answer is yes, you can ship a car overseas by plane. In fact, air shipping is one of the fastest, quickest, and safest methods to transport vehicles internationally. Instead of long sea transport via cargo ship or extensive road journeys, cars are loaded onto cargo aircraft that are specially designed to carry heavy and valuable items.

Car shipping by plane is especially popular for classic cars, supercars, or any vehicle that needs quick delivery with minimal handling. While it’s generally more expensive than other transportation options, airplane car transport offers unmatched speed and reliability for international vehicle shipping.

Why Choose Air Transport for Your Vehicle?

While typically more expensive than other international car shipping methods, air transport is sometimes the best option for moving your vehicle. Some of the reasons that you might choose air freight car shipping include:

You Have a Rare or Expensive Car

By far the most common reason for using air transport to move vehicles internationally is to protect rare or high-value vehicles. Whether you have a vintage classic, supercar, or a limited-edition model, flying your vehicle will offer you the highest level of security and care.

You’re Looking for Speed and Efficiency

Air freight is considered to be the fastest and most efficient way to transport a vehicle overseas. This makes it an ideal method of international car transport if you’re on a tight schedule or need guaranteed delivery within days.

You Want Maximum Control Over Timings

Whether you’re relocating, looking to get your newly purchased dream car home as soon as possible, or attending an event such as a car show or race, air freight offers more accurate shipping dates and greater control than other forms of international transport, ensuring that your vehicle arrives when and where it needs to.

How Can Cargo Planes Be Used to Carry Cars?

Cars and other vehicles are not typically flown on regular passenger planes, but on specialized cargo aircraft that are designed to transport large and heavy items.

When shipping your vehicle by plane, it is first loaded into the aircraft using heavy-duty ramps or hydraulic lifts, depending on the airport and aircraft setup.

Once inside, your vehicle will be secured using advanced tie-down systems, such as custom-built pallets and heavy-duty straps, a process known as pallet loading, which prevents any movement during transit. The cargo hold is also typically climate-controlled, helping to protect sensitive car components and high-cost finishes.

Finally, when your car arrives at its destination, trained personnel will carefully unload it to ensure that it remains in perfect condition.

What Are the Benefits of Auto Transport by Plane?

Air freight offers several advantages for auto shipping overseas that make it worth considering, including:

Quick Transit Time

Auto transport by plane is by far the fastest method of shipping a car internationally or across long distances. While road transport carriers can take several days and ocean transport often stretches into weeks, air shipping usually gets your vehicle to its destination within a day or two. Unlike shipping container ports, which can be congested and delay timelines, airports offer more streamlined and predictable schedules.

This makes shipping a car by plane ideal for tight schedules, last-minute plans, or simply reducing the time your car spends in transit.

Enhanced Security and Safety

Air transportation provides a highly controlled shipping environment, with professional handling, strict auto transport protocols, and secure storage throughout the journey. As your car will be traveling in a fully enclosed cargo plane, it won’t be exposed to the elements and rough seas or at risk of accidental bumps that can happen during road or ocean transport. This makes it an ideal choice if you are shipping a rare, sentimental, or valuable car.

Lower Insurance Costs

Because air freight offers enhanced security and quicker transit, some insurers may consider it to be lower risk than road or sea transportation, potentially leading to lower insurance premiums. Remember that it is really important to ensure that your car has adequate insurance coverage before shipping, so that it is fully protected on its journey.

Accurate Shipping Dates

Airlines work to tight schedules, which means fewer delays and more reliable delivery times. If you need your vehicle to arrive by a specific date, air transport gives you the confidence of precise planning.

Greater Flexibility on Destination

Cargo planes can access destination airports all over the world, including those closer to inland or in less accessible locations. Air freight allows for direct shipping to international airports near your destination, often cutting down transit time significantly.

What Are the Drawbacks of Air Freight Vehicle Shipping?

While air freight is undoubtedly a convenient and reliable way to move your vehicle, it’s not without its downsides, such as:

High Costs Involved

Shipping a car via plane is a premium service, and air freight costs reflect that. That is why it’s important to weigh up whether the speed and convenience are worth the higher price tag, and make sure it’s the best option for your shipping needs.

Restrictions on Vehicle Size and Weight

Planes generally have strict limitations on the size and weight of vehicles that they can carry. If you have an oversized or particularly heavy vehicle, such as a large truck or modified 4×4, it may not be eligible for air transport or may cost significantly more to ship.

Potential Delays

While air freight is generally faster than sea or road transport, delays can still happen due to weather, airport logistics, or customs holdups. These delays can potentially affect shipping dates and should be taken into account when planning your vehicle’s journey.

Preparing Your Car for Air Freight

Before your vehicle takes to the skies, you need to make sure that it is suitably prepared for a safe and smooth journey to its delivery location. Air freight shipping a car involves strict regulations, and following these key steps will help you to meet these requirements and avoid any unnecessary delays:

1. Find an Experienced and Trusted Auto Shipping Company

Start by researching auto transport companies with a solid track record in air freight. Look for air freight companies that are experienced and have a good reputation. A reputable company will guide you through the process, help with paperwork, and ensure that your car is handled with care.

Keep in mind that you will need to arrange transportation to the departure airport and from the destination airport to your final location.

2. Clean and Inspect Your Vehicle

As you get your car ready for transport, you will need to thoroughly wash it both inside and out. Once clean, you should inspect your vehicle for any pre-existing damage, such as dents and scratches, and take clear photos to document this. This will help in the unlikely event of a damage claim.

3. Check Car Specifics

Next, ensure that all fluid levels are appropriate (but not overfilled) and that the battery is fully charged. Also, be aware that you may be asked to disconnect the battery before shipping.

You should check your tires to make sure they are in good condition and properly inflated. Also, don’t forget to fold in your wing mirrors to prevent any accidental damage during the loading and unloading process, and make sure that any existing leaks are fixed.

4. Check Fuel

Most air carriers require the fuel tank in a transported vehicle to be no more than a quarter full to reduce weight and safety risks.

5. Remove Personal Items

Make sure that you take out any personal belongings, valuables, or loose accessories from your vehicle before shipping. These are typically not covered by insurance and could move and become damaged during transit.

6. Disable Alarm Systems

To avoid unnecessary disturbances during transport, make sure to disable any car alarms or security systems before shipping.

7. Gather Necessary Documentation

You should have all of your paperwork ready to ship your car, including registration, a copy of the bill of sale, your passport or photo ID, proof of ownership, and any necessary export documentation, or any other shipping or customs documents that are required at your destination.

8. Consider Additional Insurance

Check to see whether you have appropriate insurance in place to cover your vehicle during the shipping process.

Navigating Customs Clearance When Car Shipping Via Plane

Customs clearance is a key part of the process of shipping a vehicle by air. Successfully navigating through customs means you will have to meet the regulations of both the departure and destination countries by preparing and submitting required documentation, ensuring compliance with import laws and regulations, payment of import duties, VAT and other local taxes, and potentially submitting your car for inspection.

Each country has its own rules, so it’s important to research your destination’s requirements ahead of time. Your chosen car shipping company should be able to guide you through the entire process, help with paperwork, and ensure everything runs smoothly to avoid any costly delays.

How Much Does It Cost to Fly a Car by Plane?

While shipping a car by plane is the fastest option, it is also the priciest, often costing more than the car itself unless you’re transporting a collectible, classic, or valuable vehicle. For this reason, air freight is often a practical choice for more affluent clients who value speed, precision, and premium care for their high-end vehicles.

The total cost of transporting your car by air could be between $7,000 and $25,000 USD, but will depend upon various factors, including the distance to be travelled and the size and weight of the vehicle, as well as additional costs such as insurance, import duties, taxes, and any custom solutions such as white glove service or expedited shipping. Extra charges may apply for larger vehicles that take up more space or exceed weight limits, impacting the final cost.

To get a clearer idea of the actual cost for your vehicle, it’s best to contact a trusted auto transport company for a personalized quote.

How Can CFR Classic Help with Car Shipping by Air?

Shipping a car by air requires expert handling, strict compliance with international regulations, and precise coordination. CFR Classic brings over 25 years of experience in the auto transport industry, making us the ideal partner when time, safety, and care matter most.

We understand that getting your vehicle to its destination safely is your top priority. That’s why we offer tailored support at every stage of the journey. Whether you’re moving a new car, a collector’s item, or a family heirloom, we can offer you peace of mind.

Contact CFR Classic today for a personalized quote within 24 hours or to learn more about our trusted air auto transport shipping services.