Atlas Air Cargo tracking

History and evolution of air freight transport

Atlas Air Cargo is a freight airline founded in 1992 in the United States. Initially, the company specialized in leasing cargo aircraft with crew (ACMI contracts), which allowed it to start operations with a single Boeing 747. Its innovative model (providing complete aircraft with crew and maintenance to other companies) facilitated rapid growth throughout the 1990s. By 1993, Atlas Air Cargo had signed its first charter contract with a major Asian carrier, and in 1995 the company went public to finance the expansion of its fleet.

Over time, Atlas Air Cargo expanded its fleet and services. The company ordered several new Boeing 747-400 freighters in the late 1990s to meet the growing demand of the global air freight market. Despite a temporary passage through Chapter 11 (financial restructuring procedure) in 2004, Atlas Air Cargo managed to reorganize and continue its growth. It acquired Polar Air Cargo in 2001, strengthening its presence on transpacific routes. This strategic partnership was complemented in 2007 by DHL Express entering the capital of Polar Air Cargo (at 49%), transforming Polar into a joint venture and guaranteeing DHL dedicated access to Atlas Air Cargo's capacities between Asia and North America.

In the following years, Atlas Air Cargo continued to expand its operations. In 2010, the company won a contract to operate the Boeing 747 Dreamlifter, a specially modified cargo aircraft for transporting Boeing aircraft parts, illustrating its ability to handle unique freight projects. In 2016, Atlas Air Cargo acquired Southern Air, adding Boeing 777 and 737 freighters to its fleet and strengthening its position in the express freight and e-commerce segment. The same year, a major agreement was reached with online retail giant Amazon: Atlas Air Cargo has since operated part of the Amazon Air fleet (notably Boeing 767 freighters) to transport Amazon packages, reflecting the growing importance of e-commerce in the sector. In January 2023, Atlas Air Cargo made aviation history by receiving the last Boeing 747-8F ever produced, consolidating its status as the world's largest operator of Boeing 747 freighters. At the same time, Atlas Air Worldwide (parent company of Atlas Air Cargo) was acquired by a group of investors, making Atlas Air Cargo a private company while retaining its name and continuity of operations.

Atlas Air Cargo Logistics Services

As a major player in air freight, Atlas Air Cargo offers a comprehensive range of logistics services to meet the diverse needs of its professional clientele. The company provides both specialized charters for large companies and shipping services for freight forwarders and express delivery operators. Here are the main types of shipping and delivery services offered:

• Expedited Delivery: A priority transport service for urgent shipments. Expedited delivery ensures the package is delivered as quickly as possible through fast processing and direct or priority flights.
• Standard Delivery: An economical shipping option with a more flexible delivery time. This service is suitable for less urgent shipments, with transit time depending on distance, possible customs formalities, and transport conditions.
• Express Delivery: For shipments requiring immediate delivery, Atlas Air Cargo offers an even faster express service. The package receives priority handling and takes the most direct solutions to arrive as quickly as possible at its destination.
• Domestic Delivery: Atlas Air Cargo ensures reliable freight transport within a single country. This domestic service covers the entire national territory concerned, guaranteeing the delivery of goods from one region to another efficiently.
• International Delivery: As a global freight specialist, Atlas Air Cargo enables the shipment of packages and cargo across borders to a wide range of destinations. Thanks to its global network, the company transports international shipments ensuring their safe and timely arrival in many countries, on all continents.
• Door-to-Door Delivery: This comprehensive service handles the package from the origin address to the final destination address. Atlas Air Cargo organizes pickup from the sender and final delivery to the recipient, saving the client from having to coordinate ground transport before or after the flight.
• Airport-to-Airport Delivery: For shippers or recipients with airport facilities, Atlas Air Cargo offers transport from an origin airport to a destination airport. The package is handed over to the freight service at the arrival airport, where the recipient (or their agent) can collect it, or from where it can be taken over by a local carrier for the final delivery leg.

Beyond these options, Atlas Air Cargo is also capable of handling special cargo. The company regularly transports oversized goods, sensitive products (pharmaceutical equipment, artwork, high-tech equipment), or even live animals, offering solutions tailored to each freight category. All these services rely on proven logistics expertise and qualified personnel, ensuring the safety and reliability of shipments.

Atlas Air Cargo Fleet

The Atlas Air Cargo fleet consists exclusively of modernized cargo aircraft, all manufactured by Boeing. With over 100 aircraft in service, the company operates one of the largest cargo fleets in the world. The flagship model of Atlas Air Cargo is the Boeing 747: the carrier is the world's largest operator of this type of jumbo-jet freighter, with dozens of Boeing 747-400F (cargo version of the 747-400) and several new-generation Boeing 747-8F. These large aircraft form the backbone of long-haul operations, capable of transporting large cargo over very long distances without a stopover.

In addition to the 747, Atlas Air Cargo uses other models from the Boeing range to diversify its capabilities. The fleet includes Boeing 777 Freighters (777F), long-haul twin-engine wide-body aircraft offering great range and appreciated energy efficiency for intercontinental freight. Atlas also operates Boeing 767 freighters, medium-sized aircraft widely used for medium routes and to serve markets requiring increased frequencies rather than maximum capacity per flight. Finally, through its integrated subsidiary Southern Air, the company operates Boeing 737 freighters (previously 737-300F and 737-400F versions, and more recent 737-800 BCF) which are suitable for regional connections and express transport of small parcels over short distances.

This 100% Boeing fleet allows Atlas Air Cargo to pool maintenance and crew training while offering a complete range of aircraft from medium to very large carriers. Thanks to its 747 and 777, Atlas Air Cargo can transport very large quantities of freight (including oversized loads such as vehicles, industrial machinery, or rescue equipment) to any global destination. The 767 and 737 freighters offer the necessary flexibility to supply secondary sorting centers or respond to demand peaks in specific markets, particularly in the e-commerce sector where speed and frequency are paramount. The constant modernization of the fleet is part of Atlas Air Cargo's strategy: the reception of the latest Boeing 747-8F in 2022-2023 illustrates the company's commitment to using newer aircraft, combining large capacity and better energy efficiency.

Atlas Air Cargo Global Network and Sorting Centers

Atlas Air Cargo operates on a truly global network, connecting the world's major economic centers through flexible air freight links. Without public scheduled lines under its own brand, Atlas Air Cargo organizes its flights based on contracts and customer needs. This allows it to be present on all major air freight corridors and frequently adapt its routes. The company serves over 300 destinations worldwide, covering North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East based on transport demands.

Several strategic airports serve as sorting centers or operational bases for Atlas Air Cargo. In the United States, its domestic market, the company notably uses Anchorage Airport in Alaska as a crucial transit point for flights between Asia and North America. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG) is another important sorting center, partly due to collaboration with the DHL network (CVG being DHL's central platform in America). Atlas Air Cargo also has operational bases or a strong presence in airports like Miami (gateway to Latin America), Los Angeles, and New York-JFK (serving transpacific and transatlantic exchanges), as well as Chicago-O'Hare, a logistics hub in North America. In Europe, without a dedicated sorting center, Atlas Air Cargo regularly frequents major freight airports such as Liège, Luxembourg, or Frankfurt, depending on transport contracts. In Asia, the company is very active on major platforms like Hong Kong, Shanghai-Pudong, or Seoul-Incheon, which are key points of Asian trade.

Thanks to this extensive and flexible network, Atlas Air Cargo plays a key role in the global logistics chain. The company can set up special charter flights to specific destinations (for example, for humanitarian operations or urgent industrial deliveries) while maintaining regular rotations on the most requested routes by its partners. This operational flexibility allows it to facilitate international trade by transporting goods between distant locations, often complementing the capacities of regular carriers.

Atlas Air Cargo Partnerships and Clients

Operating primarily as a transport capacity provider, Atlas Air Cargo has developed numerous partnerships in the logistics and air transport industry. One of the major structural partnerships in its history is with DHL via Polar Air Cargo. Indeed, Polar Air Cargo (a 51% subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide) operates part of the DHL Express network between Asia and North America. This partnership, in place since the early 2000s, guarantees DHL dedicated aircraft for its intercontinental freight, while Atlas benefits from a long-term strategic client.

Atlas Air Cargo also counts among its clients large delivery companies and various organizations. Amazon is now among the most important, with Atlas's fleet operating aircraft for the Amazon Air network to accelerate the distribution of the e-commerce giant's packages. Similarly, FedEx uses Atlas Air Cargo services to increase its capacity during high-volume periods or on specific routes. The manufacturer Boeing also calls on Atlas for specific needs: in addition to the Dreamlifters contract (transport of aircraft components), Atlas Air Cargo has in the past transported satellites and aerospace equipment for Boeing and other industrialists.

Beyond the commercial sector, Atlas Air Cargo collaborates with government agencies and international organizations. The company is often solicited by the US military and the Department of Defense under the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program: its aircraft can be requisitioned or chartered to transport military or humanitarian equipment to overseas bases. Atlas has notably ensured the air transport of troops and equipment for the US Air Force and other allied forces, as well as humanitarian aid missions during natural disasters. Furthermore, the company has been a logistics partner for sporting or cultural events requiring the transport of specific cargo - for example, the MotoGP championship or art exhibition tours, where Atlas Air Cargo handled the secure transport of racing motorcycles or artworks worldwide.

These diversified collaborations illustrate Atlas Air Cargo's role as an indispensable behind-the-scenes operator for many entities. Rather than interacting directly with individual shippers, Atlas is a B2B link (between businesses) that provides its expertise and aircraft to logistics multinationals, integrators (like DHL, FedEx, or UPS), large industrial companies, and even governments. This position as a privileged partner allows it to effectively contribute to the global movement of goods while sharing risks and investments with its clients.

Atlas Air Cargo Divisions and Subsidiaries

Atlas Air Cargo operates through several specialized divisions and subsidiaries, grouped under the holding company Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. Each of these entities plays a specific role within the company's overall offering:

• Atlas Air, Inc.: This is the main and original airline. Atlas Air operates the majority of the long-haul fleet (notably the Boeing 747 and 777) to provide charter and scheduled freight transport services on an international scale. It is under this air carrier certificate that most charter flights operate on behalf of various clients (carriers, companies, military, etc.). Atlas Air, Inc. also manages ACMI and CMI contracts where it provides crew, maintenance, and insurance, either with its own aircraft or by operating aircraft provided by the client.
• Polar Air Cargo Worldwide: This subsidiary is the result of the acquisition of Polar Air Cargo in 2001. Polar holds a separate carrier certificate and historically focuses on transpacific routes between Asia and America. In close partnership with DHL (which holds a minority share of Polar), Polar Air Cargo operates regular flights between, for example, China, Japan, or South Korea on one hand, and the United States on the other. Polar Air Cargo brings Atlas a "scheduled service" dimension with fixed rotations and dedicated time slots, complementing the more flexible charter flight activity of Atlas Air.
• Southern Air: Acquired by Atlas Air Worldwide in 2016, Southern Air was a cargo airline specializing in flights for express integrators (DHL, UPS) and transport for online commerce players. Now fully integrated into Atlas Air Cargo (Southern Air's certificate merged with Atlas Air's in 2021), this division brings its experience in short and medium-haul flights with smaller aircraft. Southern Air introduced Boeing 737-800 BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter) into the fleet for fast domestic or regional connections, as well as Boeing 777F that initially operated for the DHL network. Southern Air's expertise in high-frequency and tight-deadline operations has strengthened Atlas Air Cargo's ability to serve the e-commerce and express delivery segment.
• Titan Aviation Leasing: In addition to operational companies, Atlas Air Worldwide owns Titan Aviation Leasing, a subsidiary dedicated to the acquisition and leasing of cargo aircraft. Titan manages a fleet of freight aircraft leased to other airlines or partners worldwide. This activity of Titan (aircraft leasing without crew) allows Atlas to extend its influence on the air freight market without directly operating all aircraft. Titan provides leasing management services, including passenger-to-cargo aircraft conversion programs, to meet global demand from aircraft operators while optimizing the value of its fleet.

Thanks to these different entities, Atlas Air Cargo covers a wide spectrum of air freight transport. Whether through Atlas Air for intercontinental large carriers, Polar Air Cargo for regular Asia-America lines, Southern Air for regional express, or Titan for aircraft leasing, the group is present across the entire air freight value chain. This diversified structure offers Atlas Air Cargo operational and financial flexibility, allowing it to adapt to market changes by redirecting its resources to the most demanded activity.

Atlas Air Cargo Sector Specificities and Positioning

Atlas Air Cargo stands out in the air freight sector with its business model focused on outsourcing and aircraft leasing with services. Unlike parcel integrators like UPS, FedEx, or DHL (which own their own aircraft and manage the entire logistics chain to the final customer), Atlas Air Cargo positions itself as a provider for these companies and other airlines. This particular positioning (that of a B2B carrier) means that Atlas sells freight capacity or complete flights to those who need it, without operating under its brand to the general public.

One of the key specificities of Atlas Air Cargo is the use of ACMI contracts (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance). In this type of contract, Atlas provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, while the client (another company or a logistics provider) takes care of fuel and commercial loading. This model, also called wet lease, allows companies to quickly expand their air capacity without investing in aircraft purchases. Atlas Air Cargo has become the world leader in this niche segment, making its fleet and operational expertise available to many companies that charter its aircraft for given periods.

In addition, Atlas Air Cargo also offers CMI solutions (Crew, Maintenance, Insurance). In this case, the client provides the aircraft (for example, a large online retailer that has acquired its own aircraft), and Atlas Air Cargo operates it by providing pilots, technical staff, and necessary insurance coverage. This type of hybrid arrangement has been used notably in the partnership with Amazon Air, where some aircraft dedicated to e-commerce belong to lessors or Amazon but are operated by Atlas as if they were its own.

Flexibility and responsiveness are other particularities of Atlas Air Cargo. Thanks to its critical size and expertise, the company can quickly mobilize additional aircraft during periods of high demand, for example, during year-end seasonal peaks or during exceptional operations (emergency evacuations, global logistics crises like during the pandemic). Its support role was highlighted during the COVID-19 crisis: Atlas Air Cargo intensified its flights to compensate for the reduction of available holds in passenger aircraft and transport personal protective equipment and essential goods worldwide.

In terms of compliance and safety, Atlas Air Cargo operates according to the most demanding standards of civil aviation. The company is subject to international air freight regulations (IATA, ICAO) and security controls related to the transport of sensitive goods. It has an internal training center for its pilots and technicians and has even provided training for government pilots (notably those of the US Air Force One program). The reliability of its operations and the rigor of its personnel have consolidated Atlas Air Cargo's reputation in the industry.

In summary, Atlas Air Cargo occupies a unique place in the sector: that of a discreet giant providing the flying infrastructure to others. Its success is based on a delicate balance between the direct operation of a major fleet of large aircraft and the provision of this fleet to the actors driving global trade. This strategy has allowed it to navigate the economic cycles of air freight while remaining profitable and continuing to grow, adapting to market transformations (rise of e-commerce, fleet evolution, increasing environmental requirements).

Atlas Air Cargo Shipment Tracking

Atlas Air Cargo offers its clients real-time tracking tools for each shipment to ensure transparency and visibility throughout the transport. When a package or cargo is entrusted to Atlas, a unique tracking number is associated with the shipment. This Atlas Air Cargo tracking number is an alphanumeric code serving as an identifier, used to trace the status of the package at each stage of its journey.

The format of an Atlas Air Cargo tracking number generally includes two letters followed by a series of numbers (and sometimes other letters). Often, the initial two letters correspond to the carrier code (for example, AA for Atlas Air Cargo), followed by a series of numbers that specifically identify the shipment. For example, a tracking number could be presented in the form AA123456789US. In this fictitious code, "AA" indicates Atlas Air, the numbers form the unique package code, and the last letters may optionally represent the destination country (here US for the United States), although this is not systematic.

Once equipped with this number, both the sender and the recipient can check the progress of the delivery. By entering the tracking number on the Atlas Air Cargo website (in the online tracking section) or via the dedicated tracking platform of the logistics partner, detailed updates are obtained. This information includes the current location of the package (for example, arrived at Miami airport), the stages completed (such as pickup, flight departure, arrival, etc.), as well as any estimated time data (expected arrival time, customs clearance delay, etc.). Thanks to this system, Atlas Air Cargo clients can track their goods in real-time and anticipate their delivery or take necessary measures in case of unforeseen events.

It should be noted that the exact format of the tracking number may vary depending on the type of service used or integration with other transport networks. Nevertheless, the logic remains similar, and Atlas Air Cargo ensures to provide up-to-date and clear tracking information. In case of doubt about tracking or for shipments processed in partnership (for example via Polar Air Cargo or another carrier), Atlas advises referring to the indications provided by the responsible carrier at each segment of the journey. The goal is to ensure complete traceability from initial pickup to final destination.

Atlas Air Cargo Tracking Statuses

During transport, different tracking statuses are assigned to the shipment to inform the client of its exact progress. Atlas Air Cargo uses standardized status codes in the air freight industry, translated below into English for clarity. Each status corresponds to a specific stage of the shipping or handling process. Here are the main tracking statuses known to Atlas Air Cargo, accompanied by their description in English: