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Heavy lift air charter

Air charter

Heavy lift air charter

The AN-124 carries up to 132 US tons (120 t) in a 119 ft 9 in (36.5 m) long cargo cabin that loads through a 21 ft (6.4 m) by 14 ft 5 in (4.4 m) nose door with its own onboard cranes[1], for pieces that cannot wait for a sailing.

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payload of the AN-124[1]
132 US tons120,000 kg
length of its cargo cabin[1]
119 ft 9 in36.5 m
width of the cabin and nose door[1]
21 ft6.4 m
capacity of the onboard cranes[1]
66,100 lb30,000 kg

Freighter payloads

Maximum structural payload of the main freighter types, from the manufacturer. The payload on a given flight is lower once fuel for the route is loaded.

Boeing freighter payload and range
FreighterMaximum structural payloadRange[2]
777-8F130 US tons (118 t)5,000 nmi with 121 US tons (110 t)
777F118 US tons (107 t)5,000 nmi with 118 US tons (107 t)
767-300F63 US tons (57 t)3,300 nmi with 63 US tons (57 t)
737-800BCF52,900 lb (24 t)2,000 nmi with 52,900 lb (24 t)

How an air charter works

  1. 01

    Cargo data

    Weight, dimensions, centre of gravity and the footprint, so the operator can check the floor loading and the cabin[1].

  2. 02

    Dangerous goods

    Fuel drained, fuel system pressure at 5% of working pressure or less, batteries secured[3].

  3. 03

    Export filing

    Electronic Export Information filed before the flight.

  4. 04

    Loading

    Through the nose door, with the onboard cranes or a ramp and winch[1].

Rules that apply

Engines, vehicles and machinery as hazardous materials (49 CFR 173.220)PHMSA

A machine is regulated as a hazardous material when it carries fuel, a wet, sodium or lithium battery, or other hazardous materials. A tank of flammable liquid fuel such as gasoline is drained to 500 mL or less and closed; a self-propelled machine on diesel may keep its fuel if the tank has room for expansion and the cap is closed. Batteries stay installed and secured, wet batteries upright, with the terminals protected against short circuits.[3]

Applies to: Machines with fuel, batteries or other hazardous materials, by road, vessel or air

Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau

Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.[4][5]

Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle

ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS

Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.[6]

Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage

Questions about air charter

How heavy can an air charter piece be?

Up to 132 US tons (120 t) on the AN-124, if it fits the cabin and the floor takes its footprint.

Which airports can an AN-124 use?

Airports with a runway and apron strong and long enough; the operator confirms each one before the charter is fixed.

Is a 777 Freighter an option instead?

For pieces that fit its main deck: it carries up to 118 US tons (107 t) and flies scheduled routes, which usually costs less than a charter.

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from the documents below, each checked on the date shown. Carriers and authorities revise them, so we confirm the current figure when we book.

  1. [1]Antonov Airlines, AN-124 Ruslan charter (payload and cargo cabin), checked October 18, 2026
  2. [2]Boeing, Commercial freighters (maximum structural payload), checked October 18, 2026
  3. [3]eCFR, 49 CFR 173.220 Internal combustion engines, vehicles and machinery (hazardous materials), checked October 18, 2026
  4. [4]eCFR, 15 CFR 30.37 Miscellaneous exemptions (Foreign Trade Regulations), checked October 18, 2026
  5. [5]U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Regulations FAQs, checked October 18, 2026
  6. [6]USDA APHIS, Export ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging material, checked October 18, 2026

Send us the machine and the destination

Give us the model or the measured dimensions and weight. We come back with the method, the sailing and a price, and the figures behind them.

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