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Air courier travel is an arrangement that allows travelers to save money on economy-class overseas plane tickets by forfeiting their luggage space to a shipping company. This means that you can only take carry-on luggage. Usually, your luggage space is used for “overnight” documents (not drugs!). The only obligation is to carry a bit of paperwork to the courier representative at your destination. Often, traveling as a courier can allow you to cross the Pacific or the Atlantic for just a few hundred dollars, but there are a few things to consider:
1. Courier travel is not terribly useful for long-term travel, since the terms usually require that you return within a 1-2 week period. You can always skip out on the return, of course, but this means you’ll lose your deposit (usually around $500), thus nullifying your savings. Some companies offer occasional one-way fares, so be sure to ask about them when researching courier agents.
2. How much you save as a courier varies, but it’s usually around 25%-50%. When researching courier fare, be sure to check normal airfares, since you can often find prices that are just as good or better by trying online ticket shops like Travelocity, Expedia, or Hotwire. Courier companies have been known to issue last-minute tickets for free, but this certainly isn’t very common.
3. From the U.S. West Coast (SF/LA), courier flights mainly go to points in Asia. From the East Coast (NY) they fly to Europe and South America. Other destinations, such as Africa or the Caribbean, are less common. The most popular destinations from USA hubs are: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Beijing, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Hong Kong, London, Johannesburg, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, Paris, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tel Aviv and Tokyo.
4. Due to the practicalities of the service, courier travel is always a solo affair, so don’t expect to be able to coordinate your trip with a friend or partner.
5. It’s easiest to score a courier ticket if you can be flexible about your destination. Rigidly specific destinations can be more difficult to arrange.
6. Unfortunately, air courier opportunities have diminished somewhat recently due to post-9/11 changes in the airline industry, as well as new international trade barriers.
7. It may help to join a courier organization should this type of travel interest you. Membership is not always a requirement to travel as a courier, but often it’s the easiest way to find flights that suit your specific travel needs. Courier organizations include:
May 29th, 2003 at 1:23 pm
Excellent info Rolf. Especially the links. I used to belong to the IAATC one and am thinking about getting back on their list. I know that when I went to Hong Kong for the handover in 97 I paid $1100 for my ticket while my friend (who had more flexibility) got to go for around $450 on his courier ticket.
I see you mentioned Melbourne in your list. I’d like to know which service included Australia in their courier destinations. I’ve never heard of it but would be willing to look into it.
June 10th, 2003 at 9:46 am
Hi Rolf,
I’m really interested in this air courier thing. I’m especially concerned about the security aspect of checking luggage that is not mine. Could you tell me more about developments since 9/11?
Thank you.
June 10th, 2003 at 8:32 pm
Colin, the main effect of 9/11 is that increased security has complicated things for the courier companies. That means a possible decrease in courier travel opportunities, but it shouldn’t complicate your actual courier travel experience (should you be able to find one that suits your needs). The courier company will take care of the paperwork; the only “hassle” for you would be less luggage space and the handing off of papers at the airport.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:33 am
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Air Courier Stock Information
http://www.stockvaluelist.com/industry/air-courier.php
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