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Shipping a car by air

Shipping a car by air

shipping a car by air

There are several ways to transport a car. In general, your choice would depend on your budget and time constraints. If you need to send your vehicle overseas, shipping it by airplane may seem like the best option. But, like any other long-distance logistics service, it has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s briefly talk about them below.

Cons of shipping a car by air

Excessive cost
There is a reason why VIPs, well-known entertainers, and Formula 1 race teams choose to transport their car(s) by air. Yes, because it is fast. But also paying a few thousand dollars to transport a million-dollar car or one-of-a-kind vehicle seems reasonable. For the majority of people though, the cost of air freight may exceed the value of the car itself. It’s virtually impossible to put an exact price tag on shipping a car by air. Whether you are shipping locally or internationally, the exact number would depend on various factors.

Quantity and size limitations
Unlike with other ways of transportation, where you can ship as many vehicles as you need, you most probably won’t be able to send more than one car by plane. Also, due to the airline cargo size regulations, not every vehicle can be shipped by air freight.

Pros of transporting a car via airplane

Shipping by air is faster
If you need to transport your car overseas or over a considerably long distance within a very short period of time, then shipping it by air would be the best option.

Shipping by air is safer
Besides being the fastest way of auto transport, air freight is also the safest. The handling is minimal. And inside the aircraft, a car is usually secured to a specialized pallet with high strength fabric straps, which ensures minimal movement during transit.

How to ship your car by air

Hire an auto transport company
You will need a reliable partner to ship your car by air. An auto transport company will not only arrange air freight and delivery of your car to the airport but can also guide you through all the necessary paperwork. You will have a lot of things to worry about before and after your moving, so hiring a car transport company will make your moving experience less stressful.

Prepare the necessary documents
When shipping your car internationally, be ready to follow applicable tax and duty rules and regulations. You may also be required to submit special permits and licenses prior to shipping your car to another country. Document requirements are very similar to those for RORO and container shipments and may vary depending on your destination.

Check the insurance coverage limits
Airlines have limits of liability in case of damage or loss of cargo. If you are transporting an especially valuable car, you may want to ensure you have sufficient coverage. Check if your auto insurance policy covers overseas shipping. You will also have an option of purchasing additional shipping insurance. The rates can vary between 1.5% and 2.5% of your car’s estimated value.

Clean and inspect your car
Before leaving your car in the hands of the auto transport company, clean it inside-out, and inspect your vehicle for any existing damages. You can also take photos of the car before shipping. In case of damages, you will have the pictures as proof to help you file a claim.

Empty your vehicle
Except for the spare tire and the jack, remove all loose items and personal belongings from the car. Items you leave in your car are not covered by insurance. Also, make sure to remove or secure roof racks, antenna, cassette decks, any extended spoilers and added electronic devices. If you have wide mirrors, don’t forget to fold them back.

Don’t fill up your fuel tank
Make sure the car’s fuel tank is only 1/8 or ¼ full. It will reduce your car’s weight, and it is safer for transport.

Get your car serviced
Your vehicle must be operable. If possible, get your car serviced and make sure to charge the battery, check the fluids and the tire pressure. Make sure there’re no leaks, as any vehicle with leakage may be subject to refusal for shipment by a carrier.

Make an additional set of keys
The car transport company needs at least one set of keys. Make sure you have an extra set to give to your auto transporter. Double-check that the keys work before you hand them over to the carrier.

Shut off/disconnect all car alarm systems
This is just a reminder because many people forget about shutting off or disconnecting their car’s alarm for shipping. If the alarm goes off and nobody can turn it off it will drain your battery. Moreover,  the transport company is allowed to do whatever it is necessary to disconnect the alarm and stop the noise.

And if air freight is out of your price range, Corsia Logistics can arrange expedited shipping via ground transport. We have our own truck and work with a vast network of reliable car carriers, which helps us guarantee fast and safe delivery anywhere in the United States.

Shipping your car overseas? Our logistics experts will assist you with booking international shipment service and deliver your car to a port.

Have you ever shipped a car by airplane? How was your experience? Do you have any advice for people looking to ship their car by air? Share with us in the comments below!

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Corsia Logistics team works hard every day to ensure reliable expedited car shipping service. Our customer reviews prove that.

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Simon Moore
Great company
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Looking for a logistics company, to ship my car, from California to Illinois,my first search, then Corsia showed up, skeptical. Call and a very friendly secretary: Elena. She guided me through, I scheduled and as she explained, all when smooth as scheduled Very happy I did the right choice. I'll recommend this great Company to anyone that is thinking to relocate a vehicle. Thanks Corsia logistics for your honesty and professionalism!
Elizabeth Woodward
High five's all around!
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Corsia was highly recommended by a friend in the automobile industry. We needed to transport a cargo van from Seattle to Florida. We contacted Corsia who quickly arranged transport within just a few days. Communication was outstanding! Just a few email confirmations and we were all set. Mike was great and arrived right on time and delivered to Florida on schedule. Tip-avoid the hornets nest of auto brokers on line and just contact Corsia for a truly great experience!
Carrol Tiffany
Amazing
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Corsia has been amazing. Their prices are really competitive but more importantly their customer service has been 5-Star. Elena followed up with me every step of the way, making sure there was no miscommunication between me & the driver. We are using them to ship a 2nd vehicle & would not hesitate to use them again!
Tony Boyd
Definitely recommend
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I have recently used Corsia for long time family car with sentimental value that was moved I have recently used Corsia for shipment of my vehicle from Oregon to Arizona by recommendation from other family member who also used Corsia in the past. I am very pleased on the service and the communication throughout shipment. Ken was my direct contact and kept me informed along the move The car was picked up and delivered as communicated. I did use a enclosed mover and the driver was also clean cut professional and treated car as his own. I would definitely recommend Corsia again with the experience I have had. Thank you. T
JW
Top notch
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Top notch Transport - Porsche 997 Top notch! As easy and efficient as one could possibly imagine. Great customer service.. thank you Luke. Great prices. Check. Timely communications. Check. Clean transport trailer. Check. Supremely careful driver. Check. Timely arrival. Check. Don't mess around elsewhere, just call Corsica and feel confident your transports needs are going to be exceeded. My Porsche 911 rode like a Queen in her enclosed chariot. I've never needed a transport company before, and I surely will use them every time. Do yourself a favor, seriously. Call now.
Geet Mp Haryana
Reliable, efficient
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Corsia rep (Elena) was very proactive. Helped ship a car from CA to GA. She checked in with me via email quote and several phone calls to find me the best possible quote for the fastest available service. After several communications, Corsia was able to schedule a vehicle pickup the next day. The driver communicated well, and the vehicle arrived in final destination faster than we expected in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Corsia's reliable, efficient service.
Cay Liptak
Clean, efficient, wonderful
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Thanks, Corsia! Pickup was so clean, efficient, and wonderful -- my only recommendation is to make sure you schedule it during the day so you can fully review the car in the daylight. Drop off was equally wonderful, and the whole trip went down without a hitch (pun intended!). Seriously, Corsia delivered my Jeep from CT to California with no issues or bumps in the road!
Csaba Kovesdy
Truly positive experience
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Corsia Memphis to LA, mid-size SUV. I looked at 4 different companies amd Corsia was the most responsive of them. While being responsive, they were not unduly aggressive: when I indicated that I need to wait a month before making a decision they stopped contacting me and only came back with a reminder when I really needed it. Once I decided to engage Corsia they found me a transport within two days and the car was delivered (from Memphis to LA) in another two days. I had a truly positive experience.
Kelly Torres
Highly recommend
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Working with Corsia Logistics was a great experience. Working with Corsia Logistics was wonderful. They were able to find a driver right away to transport our car. They were in constant communication as to when the car was getting picked up and dropped off. The driver also communicated with me as to when he would arrive. I would highly recommend Corsia Logistics.
Amy Nelson
Excellent Organization
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Corsia was an excellent company to work with while I transferred my car across the US. A friend of mine suggested I use them as they had been very organized and trustworthy with her own car. I researched a few different place but decided to go with Corsia and I'm so glad I did! Any questions I had throughout the process they answered quickly and clearly. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend them for others to use.
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