Impact of Direct Flights vs. Transfer Flights on Air Freight Costs
In international air freight, the choice between direct flights and transfer flights impacts both logistics costs and supply chain efficiency. As experienced freight forwarders, Senghor Logistics analyzes how these two flight options affect air freight budgets and operational outcomes.
Direct Flights: Premium Efficiency
Direct flights (point-to-point service) offer distinct advantages:
1. Avoiding operating costs at transit airports: Since the entire journey is completed by the same flight, the cargo loading and unloading, warehousing fees, ground handling fees at the transfer airport are avoided, which usually account for 15%-20% of the total transfer cost.
2. Fuel surcharge optimization: Eliminates multiple takeoff/landing fuel surcharges. Taking the data from April 2025 as an example, the fuel surcharge for the direct flight from Shenzhen to Chicago is 22% of the basic freight rate, while the same route via Seoul involves two-stage fuel calculation, and the surcharge ratio rises to 28%.
3. Reduce the risk of cargo damage: Since the number of loading and unloading times and the secondary handling procedures of cargo are relatively reduced, the chance of cargo damage on direct routes is reduced.
4. Time sensitivity: Critical for perishables. Especially for pharmaceuticals, a higher proportion of them are shipped by direct flights.
However, direct flights carry 25-40% higher base rates due to:
Limited direct flight routes: Only 18% of airports in the world can provide direct flights, and they need to bear a higher basic freight premium. For example, the unit price of direct flights from Shanghai to Paris is 40% to 60% higher than that of connecting flights.
Priority given to passenger luggage: Since airlines currently use passenger planes to transport cargo, the belly space is limited. In the limited space, it needs to carry passenger luggage and cargo, generally with passengers as the priority and cargo as the auxiliary, and at the same time, make full use of the shipping space.
Peak season surcharges: The fourth quarter is usually the peak season for the traditional logistics industry. This time is the shopping festival time abroad. For overseas buyers, it is the time of large-scale imports, and the demand for shipping space is high, which pushes up freight costs.
Transfer Flights: Cost-Effective
Multi-leg flights offer budget-friendly options:
1. Rate advantage: Average 30% to 50% lower base rates than direct routes. The transfer model reduces the basic freight rate through the integration of hub airport capacity, but requires careful calculation of hidden costs. The basic freight rate of the transfer route is usually 30% to 50% lower than that of the direct flight, which is especially attractive for bulk goods over 500kg.
2. Network flexibility: Access to secondary hubs (e.g., Dubai DXB, Singapore SIN, San Francisco SFO, and Amsterdam AMS etc.), which allows the centralized transportation of goods from different origins. (Check the air freight price from China to UK by direct flights and transfer flights.)
3. Capacity availability: 40% more weekly cargo slots on connecting flight routes.
Note:
1. The transit link may incur hidden costs such as overtime storage fees caused by congestion at hub airports during peak seasons.
2. More critical is the time cost. On average, a transfer flight takes 2-5 days longer than a direct flight. For fresh goods with a shelf life of only 7 days, an additional 20% cold chain cost may be required.
Cost Comparison Matrix: Shanghai (PVG) to Chicago (ORD), 1000kg general cargo)
|
Factor |
Direct Flight |
Transit via INC |
|
Base Rate |
$4.80/kg |
$3.90/kg |
|
Handling Fees |
$220 |
$480 |
|
Fuel Surcharge |
$1.10/kg |
$1.45/kg |
|
Transit Time |
1 day |
3 to 4 days |
|
Risk Premium |
0.5% |
1.8% |
|
Total Cost/kg |
$6.15 |
$5.82 |
(For reference only, please contact our logistics expert to get the latest air freight rates)
The cost optimization of international air transport is essentially a balance between shipping efficiency and risk control. Direct flights are suitable for goods with high unit prices and time-sensitive, while transfer flights are more suitable for regular goods that are price-sensitive and can withstand a certain transportation cycle. With the digital upgrade of air cargo, the hidden costs of transfer flights are gradually decreasing, but the advantages of direct flights in the high-end logistics market are still irreplaceable.
If you have any international logistics service needs, please contact Senghor Logistics' professional logistics consultants.
Post time: Apr-29-2025
