American Airlines Cargo
American Airlines Cargo is the air cargo unit of American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL), operating more than 100 million pounds of weekly cargo lift across a global passenger-belly network for freight forwarders, life-sciences shippers, perishables exporters, and high-value and time-critical customers.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1944
- HeadquartersDallas, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What American Airlines Cargo does
American Airlines Cargo is the air cargo business unit of American Airlines, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL), operating scheduled air cargo services since 1944. The unit moves more than 100 million pounds of cargo per week across a global network covering the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Asia, leveraging the belly-hold capacity of the parent airline's passenger fleet and dedicated freighter operations. Its customer base spans freight forwarders, life-sciences and healthcare shippers, perishables exporters, high-value and time-critical shippers, pet owners and animal transporters, and government/humanitarian clients.
The product portfolio is structured around tiered general-cargo offerings (Priority Parcel Service for shipments under 100 lbs, ExpediteFS express, ConfirmedFS general cargo) and a growing set of specialty services including ExpediteTC temperature-controlled cargo with CEIV Pharma certification at 16 locations, Critical PPS, MEDEVAC, American PetEmbark, perishables, high-value, human remains, and dangerous goods handling. Distribution operates through multiple channels: direct online booking, phone reservations, three major digital freight marketplaces (WebCargo, CargoAi, Cargo.one), global general sales agents, and direct API integrations with major forwarders including DB Schenker and Kuehne+Nagel.
Revenue is generated through transaction fees for shipping services plus accessorial fees and surcharges, with region-specific pricing. The commercial model has shifted increasingly toward digital channels and forwarder API connectivity since 2022, and toward specialty, higher-yield verticals such as pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Strategic activity from 2023 through 2026 has emphasized partnerships (Unilode for ULD management, Sonoco ThermoSafe and BioNatur for temperature-controlled packaging), API and marketplace integrations, and product expansion in cold-chain and pharma corridors. Disclosed technology modernization is anchored in AI and robotic process automation for back-office and operational workflows rather than customer-facing AI differentiation.
American Airlines Cargo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Airlines Cargo
- Legal name
- American Airlines, Inc.
- Website
- https://aacargo.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1944
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- American Airlines Cargo is the air cargo unit of American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL), operating more than 100 million pounds of weekly cargo lift across a global passenger-belly network for freight forwarders, life-sciences shippers, perishables exporters, and high-value and time-critical customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American Airlines Cargo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Air Cargo Services
- NAICS
- Scheduled Freight Air Transportation (481112), Scheduled Air Transportation (48111), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Scheduled Air Cargo Airlines (All-Cargo Carriers) (THABAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- General Cargo Air Freight Carriers (Scheduled & Charter) (TLADAAAA), Heavy-Lift / Outsize Air Cargo Carriers (TLADAAAF), International Freight Forwarding (Air/Ocean) for Personal Effects (HSAKACAD)
Keywords
Where American Airlines Cargo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dallas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
American Airlines Cargo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Air Cargo Transportation - Priority Parcel Service (PPS): Next-flight service for small parcel shipments under 100 lbs with highest boarding priority. Available to more than 200 worldwide destinations without required advance booking.
- ExpediteFS Express Cargo Service: Premium boarding priority for freight with faster transfers and connections. Flight-specific shipping with priority boarding and handling for urgent shipments to 100+ worldwide destinations.
- ConfirmedFS General Cargo Service: Cost-effective freight service with complete shipment tracking. Available for narrowbody and widebody options with worldwide connections and interline service.
- ExpediteTC Temperature-Controlled Service: Active and passive cold chain solutions for temperature-sensitive shipments including pharmaceuticals and vaccines. Includes dedicated expert champions and dedicated temp-controlled spaces.
- Accessorial Fees and Surcharges: Additional charges for services including security handling, live animal processing, disbursement fees, customs fees (ACI, ICS, CBEC, CBP), and fair booking/cancellation fees.
- Pet and Animal Transportation: Specialized animal transport through American PetEmbark with over 65 years of experience. Services include domestic and international pet shipping, live animal transport.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Priority Parcel Service (PPS) - Small Parcel |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | ExpediteFS Express Service |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | ConfirmedFS General Cargo |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | ExpediteTC Temperature-Controlled |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Liability and Insurance Options |
Go-to-market motion6 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels7 records
American Airlines Cargo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
American Airlines Cargo transports air freight, parcels, and specialty shipments globally across a network spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent. The division offers multiple priority tiers (Priority Parcel Service/PPS for small parcels, ExpediteFS express freight, ConfirmedFS general cargo) alongside temperature-controlled cold-chain solutions (ExpediteTC), life sciences and pharmaceutical handling, perishables, dangerous goods, and the American PetEmbark pet transport program.
Product overview
American Airlines Cargo operates as an air cargo division offering a unified portfolio of freight and parcel shipping services. The core offerings center on Freight Service (with ExpediteFS and ConfirmedFS priority tiers) and Priority Parcel Service (PPS) for smaller shipments. Specialty products include ExpediteTC for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments, Life Sciences/Healthcare for medical cargo, American PetEmbark for animal transport, Perishables for fresh goods, High Value cargo, Human Remains (TLC), and Dangerous Goods. Additional services include Critical PPS for enhanced monitoring and MEDEVAC for emergency medical shipments. The company connects major cities across the U.S., Europe, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Latin America, and Asia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- American PetEmbark: Industry-leading pet transport service with more than 65 years of experience transporting animals, committed to the welfare of every pet in their care.
- ExpediteTC
- Priority Parcel Service (PPS)
- ExpediteFS
- ConfirmedFS
- Critical PPS
- MEDEVAC
Products and services
- Priority Parcel Service (PPS)
Quantifiable outcome
- 100+ million pounds of weekly cargo lift
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use American Airlines Cargo
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
American Airlines Cargo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability1 record
Feature5 records
American Airlines Cargo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Unilode Aviation SolutionscoreStrategic partnership on Unit Load Device (ULD) management and digitalisation. Unilode provides ULD management services for American Airlines Cargo's containers and pallets with digital tracking capabilities.
- BioNatur Plastics (M&G Packaging)coreOngoing partnership to replace traditional plastic with BioNatur biodegradable plastic wrap. Reduced plastic waste equivalent to 8.6 million water bottles in 2023. Partnership expanded to international locations.
- CargoAimajorExpanded partnership with CargoAi for enhanced online booking offerings across Europe and expanded Americas/Caribbean origins on WebCargo.
- Cargo.onemajorPartnership to deliver instant digital booking for US domestic capacity through Cargo.one platform.
- DB SchenkermajorAPI connection for enhanced airfreight booking experience. Direct system-to-system integration enabling seamless booking and tracking.
- United for WildlifecoreFirst U.S. cargo carrier to join United for Wildlife, committing to combat wildlife trafficking and illegal trade.
- Sonoco ThermoSafecoreGlobal Master Lease Agreement for temperature-controlled Envirotainer e2 units. First U.S.-based passenger carrier approved to carry temp-controlled Envirotainer e2 units.
- oneworld AlliancecoreAlliance partnership providing global connectivity through oneworld member airlines for cargo services worldwide.
- WebCargo ( Freightos)majorInitial partnership to join WebCargo booking platform reaching thousands of freight forwarders. Expanded to include U.S. network booking.
- Kuehne+NagelmajorPartnership for sustainable aviation fuels commitment. American Airlines builds on commitment to sustainable fuels with Kuehne+Nagel.
- IPATA (International Pet and Animal Transportation Association)majorProud member of IPATA, the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association for pet transport industry standards and practices.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
American Airlines Cargo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- FedEx: Global integrator operating dedicated air and ground networks with door-to-door logistics capabilities. Indirect competitor for time-sensitive and high-value shipments via FedEx Express air operations.
- DHL Express: Global integrator with extensive dedicated air fleet and life-sciences cold-chain logistics under DHL Medical Express. Indirect competitor for premium international shipments and pharmaceutical logistics.
Direct peers
- Cathay Pacific Cargo: Major dedicated air cargo operator with industry-leading pharmaceutical cold-chain capabilities and global long-haul network. Comparable in temperature-controlled product offering, premium cargo positioning, and CEIV-certified infrastructure.
- Lufthansa Cargo: One of the world's largest dedicated air cargo carriers with a global scheduled freighter network and CEIV pharma certification. Comparable in scale, pharma specialization, and tiered service portfolio.
- Air France-KLM Cargo: Combined cargo division of Air France and KLM offering scheduled freight services across an extensive intercontinental network. Comparable in tiered product offerings, pharmaceutical capabilities, and digital booking channels.
- Korean Air Cargo: Major cargo airline with industry-leading pharmaceutical cold-chain capabilities and CEIV Pharma certification. Comparable in pharma specialization and transpacific network positioning.
- United Airlines Cargo: Cargo division of a major U.S. passenger airline operating belly cargo across an extensive global network with similar time-sensitive and pharmaceutical service offerings. Direct comparable to American Airlines Cargo in business model, network scope, and customer base.
- Emirates SkyCargo: Cargo division of Emirates operating scheduled freighter and belly cargo services with strong temperature-controlled and pharmaceutical capabilities. Comparable in long-haul network reach and premium service tiers.
- British Airways Cargo: Cargo division of IAG's flagship U.K. carrier offering scheduled air freight across transatlantic and global routes. Comparable in belly-cargo business model, freight forwarder relationships, and pharmaceutical product offerings.
- Delta Cargo: Cargo division of Delta Air Lines, another U.S. passenger carrier offering scheduled air freight services with priority tiers and temperature-controlled solutions. Closest direct peer in product structure and U.S. hub-and-spoke cargo operations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
American Airlines Cargo social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican Airlines Cargo compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
American Airlines Cargo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Airlines Cargo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
American Airlines Cargo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Airlines 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 American Airlines Cargo
What does American Airlines Cargo do?
American Airlines Cargo transports air freight, parcels, and specialty shipments globally across a network spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent. The division offers multiple priority tiers (Priority Parcel Service/PPS for small parcels, ExpediteFS express freight, ConfirmedFS general cargo) alongside temperature-controlled cold-chain solutions (ExpediteTC), life sciences and pharmaceutical handling, perishables, dangerous goods, and the American PetEmbark pet transport program.
Is American Airlines Cargo a public or private company?
American Airlines Cargo is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was American Airlines Cargo founded?
American Airlines Cargo was founded in 1944. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is American Airlines Cargo based?
American Airlines Cargo is headquartered in Dallas, United States, in the North America region.
How does American Airlines Cargo make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Air Cargo Transportation - Priority Parcel Service (PPS) is the primary driver. The others are expediteFS Express Cargo Service, confirmedFS General Cargo Service, expediteTC Temperature-Controlled Service, accessorial Fees and Surcharges and pet and Animal Transportation.
Who are American Airlines Cargo's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are FedEx and DHL Express. Direct peers are Cathay Pacific Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Air France-KLM Cargo, Korean Air Cargo, United Airlines Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, British Airways Cargo and Delta Cargo.
Does American Airlines Cargo have an API?
Yes. American Airlines Cargo offers API connectivity for enhanced airfreight booking. DB Schenker has an API connection with American Airlines Cargo for enhanced airfreight booking experience. Additional messaging channels support B2B messaging via aacargo.com portal, Cargo Portal Services, eAWBLink, Descartes, Champ, and Unisys.
What industry is American Airlines Cargo in?
American Airlines 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 4512.