Delta Cargo
- Company typePublic
- Founded1924
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Delta Cargo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Delta Cargo
- Legal name
- Delta Air Lines, Inc.
- Website
- https://www.deltacargo.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1924
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Delta Cargo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Air Cargo Services
- NAICS
- Scheduled Freight Air Transportation (481112), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)
- SIC
- Air Courier Services (4513), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Scheduled Air Cargo Airlines (All-Cargo Carriers) (THABAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- General Cargo Air Freight Carriers (Scheduled & Charter) (TLADAAAA), Full-Service Airlines (Passenger + Belly Cargo Integrated) (THABAAAF), Export/Import Documentation Preparation (Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Shipper’s Letter of Instruction) (TLACAHAD)
Keywords
Where Delta Cargo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Delta Cargo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Air Freight Transportation: Delta Cargo generates revenue primarily through transportation fees for shipping cargo via Delta's passenger belly capacity and cargo aircraft. Revenue is derived from multiple product tiers including Express, Critical, DASH, Standard, and Specialty services, with fees based on weight, dimensions, and service level.
- Surcharges: Additional revenue streams from fuel surcharges, security surcharges, and screening surcharges applied to shipments based on origin, destination, and weight.
- Specialized Services: Premium pricing for specialized handling including pharma (temperature-controlled), live animals, perishables, high-value items, and dangerous goods with additional handling fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DASH Critical - Premium domestic next-flight service with 100% SLA guarantee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DASH - Domestic express small package service with 50% SLA guarantee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DASH Heavy - Domestic large package express |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard - Domestic general freight |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Express/Express Heavy - International small/large package service |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | General - International consolidated freight |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Specialty Products - Pharma, Fresh, Live, Safe, Care |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Delta Cargo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Delta Cargo is the air freight division of Delta Air Lines, providing cargo transportation services using passenger aircraft belly capacity and dedicated cargo aircraft. It sells a portfolio of domestic and international air freight products including Express, Critical, DASH, Standard, and General services, along with specialized handling for pharmaceuticals, perishables, live animals, high-value goods, and funeral/care shipments. Operations are supported by the iCargo platform, Pulse real-time visibility, e-Freight documentation, and an API, distributed through online self-serve booking, enterprise account managers, freight forwarders, and the SkyTeam Cargo alliance.
Product overview
Delta Cargo is the air freight division of Delta Air Lines, operating as part of the SkyTeam Cargo global alliance. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of air cargo services organized across three main product categories: Express services (Critical, Critical Heavy, DASH, DASH Critical, DASH Heavy, Express, Express Heavy) providing expedited domestic and international shipping with varying size and priority options; Standard Freight (Standard, General) providing economical domestic and international general commodity shipping; and Specialty services (Specialized Live, Specialized Care, Specialized Fresh, Specialized Pharma, Specialized Safe) addressing niche requirements including live animal transport, funeral shipments, perishables, temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals, and high-value cargo. Recent technology initiatives include the CargoAi partnership for digital booking, and the Pulse real-time visibility platform developed with Trackonomy featuring predictive analytics and proactive alerting capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Pulse: A cutting-edge tracking solution offering real-time location visibility, proactive alerts, and predictive analysis for DASH and DASH Critical shipments, powered by Trackonomy technology.
- CarePod
- Delta Cargo SAF Program
Products and services
- Critical
- Critical Heavy
- DASH
- DASH Critical
- DASH Heavy
- Express
- Express Heavy
- Standard
- General
- Specialized Live
- Specialized Care
- Specialized Fresh
- Specialized Pharma
- Specialized Safe
- Pets
- Pulse Real-time shipment visibility and tracking solution powered by Trackonomy, providing real-time location visibility from airport to airport, proactive alerts, and predictive analytics for DASH and DASH Critical shipments at 16 U.S. stations.
- Cargo SAF Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 11 million shipments processed in 2024
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Delta Cargo
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Delta Cargo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
Delta Cargo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- CargoAicorePartnership to integrate digital booking capabilities, enabling e-booking and enhanced rate visibility for freight forwarders globally. Agreement signed at IATA World Cargo Symposium in Peru.
- IBS SoftwarecoreDelta Cargo implemented IBS Software's iCargo platform as part of its digital transformation, modernizing operations across global cargo stations. The platform improves operational efficiency, customer experience, and data management, impacting over 6,500 users.
- TrackonomycoreLaunched Pulse platform - a new air freight visibility solution using advanced AI and predictive analytics for real-time cargo tracking, proactive alerts, and autonomous response capabilities across U.S. airports.
- Aeromexico CargocorePioneering transborder partnership between U.S. and Mexico offering access to nearly 200 daily flights. Both carriers have CEIV certification for pharmaceutical shipments with connections via JFK and state-of-the-art coolers.
- Air France-KLM CargocoreBlue Skies Partnership operates 20% of total transatlantic belly cargo capacity with over 15 co-located warehouses in U.S., UK, and Europe. One-roof warehousing in 15 cities provides operational efficiency.
- Korean Air CargocoreWorld-class service through robust trans-Pacific route network anchored by shared strategic hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN). Provides seamless connections to destinations across Southeast Asia and U.S.
- LATAM CargocorePartnership offers access to over 300 destinations throughout US/Canada and South America. Co-located cargo facilities in Atlanta, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro provide streamlined customer experience.
- Virgin Atlantic CargocoreOperates over 50 widebody flights daily between North America and UK. Joint operations in one-roof warehouse at London-Heathrow support seamless service for pharmaceuticals and temperature-controlled shipments.
- SkyTeam CargocoreDelta is a member of the SkyTeam Cargo global alliance, participating in joint venture partnerships and enabling access to thousands of daily flights in key hubs and markets worldwide.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Delta Cargo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- SmartKargo: Delta Cargo partner providing digital e-commerce air cargo platform enabling DeliverDirect service. Comparable as a digital-native air cargo technology play rather than a direct capacity competitor.
Direct peers
- United Cargo: Cargo arm of United Airlines with similar belly-cargo reliance, premium product tiers, and pharma/perishable specialty offerings. Competes head-to-head on U.S. domestic express (DASH-equivalent) and international freight.
- Lufthansa Cargo: European scheduled air cargo carrier with dedicated freighter fleet plus belly capacity, strong pharma cold-chain (CEIV Pharma) and digital booking platform. Directly comparable in product mix, network model, and specialty focus.
- Air France-KLM Cargo: JV partner of Delta Cargo in the Blue Skies partnership; operates dedicated freighters plus belly capacity with strong pharma and perishables offerings. Direct functional peer and alliance counterpart in transatlantic cargo.
- Korean Air Cargo: Trans-Pacific JV partner and one of the largest scheduled air cargo carriers globally, anchored at ICN hub. Comparable in belly-plus-freighter model, Asia-Pacific connectivity, and pharma specialization.
- American Airlines Cargo: Cargo division of a major U.S. full-service network airline, offering comparable belly-cargo express, standard, and specialty products across a similar domestic and international network. Closest like-for-like peer given overlapping U.S. hub-and-spoke passenger model.
Broad incumbents
- UPS Air: Integrator with significant dedicated air capacity targeting premium and healthcare logistics. Competes with Delta Cargo in pharma and express segments, particularly in North America and transatlantic lanes.
- Cathay Cargo: Cargo division of Cathay Pacific with a large dedicated freighter fleet plus belly capacity, dominant in trans-Pacific and intra-Asia lanes. Broader incumbent with deeper freighter footprint but similar scheduled air cargo model.
- FedEx Air: Global integrator with the largest dedicated air cargo fleet, competing for time-definite shipments. Indirect peer given integrator-only model but a key competitor for express and e-commerce air freight volumes.
- DHL Aviation: Global integrator and freight forwarder with dedicated air freight operations and strong life-sciences/pharma vertical. Broader incumbent peer given overlapping pharma and express customer base.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Delta Cargo social profiles
Digital presenceDelta Cargo compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Delta Cargo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Delta Cargo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Delta Cargo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Delta Cargo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Delta Cargo
What does Delta Cargo do?
Delta Cargo is the air freight division of Delta Air Lines, providing cargo transportation services using passenger aircraft belly capacity and dedicated cargo aircraft. It sells a portfolio of domestic and international air freight products including Express, Critical, DASH, Standard, and General services, along with specialized handling for pharmaceuticals, perishables, live animals, high-value goods, and funeral/care shipments. Operations are supported by the iCargo platform, Pulse real-time visibility, e-Freight documentation, and an API, distributed through online self-serve booking, enterprise account managers, freight forwarders, and the SkyTeam Cargo alliance.
Is Delta Cargo a public or private company?
Delta Cargo is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Delta Cargo founded?
Delta Cargo was founded in 1924. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Delta Cargo based?
Delta Cargo is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Delta Cargo make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Air Freight Transportation is the primary driver. The others are surcharges and specialized Services.
Who are Delta Cargo's main competitors?
SmartKargo is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are United Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Air France-KLM Cargo, Korean Air Cargo and American Airlines Cargo. Broad incumbents are UPS Air, Cathay Cargo, FedEx Air and DHL Aviation.
Does Delta Cargo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Delta Cargo.
What industry is Delta Cargo in?
Delta Cargo's product category is Air Cargo Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAEAA, Scheduled Air Cargo Airlines (All-Cargo Carriers), with a secondary code of TLADAAAA, General Cargo Air Freight Carriers (Scheduled & Charter). Its NAICS code is 481112 and its SIC code is 4513.