Copyright © 2002-04 Andrew Dean Nystrom

Is it really possible to fly for free as an air courier?

Yes! But more often than not, air couriers fly at substantial discounts, rather than for free. The more flexible and adventurous you are, the more likely it is that you will find a really good deal on an air courier flight. If you think ringing a stranger at the airport and inquiring "What flights do you have headed out tomorrow?" might be your idea of fun, then you should definitely try flying as a courier. Last-minute free tickets are still infrequently available for intrepid, persistent and patient travelers who are willing to wait for the ultimate deal.

What exactly does being an air courier involve?

Air couriers relinquish the luxury of planning too far ahead and checking personal luggage in exchange for (often steeply) discounted airline tickets. The courier's baggage allowance is used by the courier company to ship time-sensitive packages and documents. Of course, most would-be couriers wonder at some point "What sort of baggage is being checked in under my name?" More often than not, couriers don't even have to handle checked-in baggage. Instead, you pack a carry-on and leave the negotiating customs clearances to the professionals, the freight companies who contract couriers to accompany their packages. The most common items shipped via air courier are contracts and other business documents that cannot be faxed or sent via regular international post due to their important nature. Couriers simply meet a company agent before their flight to pick up baggage documents, then met another agent at the end of the line before clearing customs, at which point they are free to go just like traditional full-fare paying passengers, typically with less hassle than the average traveler.

Where can I fly as an air courier?

Air courier routes focus on business travel hubs. 99% of courier flights are international. Domestic flights are rarely available. Routes tend to follow established patterns (eg, from San Francisco to Singapore every Tuesday, following the reverse route every Friday). Courier seats from the USA are most commonly available on flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco (to Asia), Chicago (to Latin America), Miami (to South America) and New York (to Europe and Asia). Outside of the USA, London and Toronto are the biggest air courier hubs. 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.

Do I need to join an organization/association to fly as a courier?

No, not necessarily. But, joining an organization may help you to find flights more easily and find ones that better suit your needs. The are several good online and printed resources that publish the names and contact info of companies that contract air couriers, but the perishable information in these publications goes out of date very quickly. The best, if time consuming, way to get hooked up with an air courier flight is to do your research independently by phone (and in person wherever possible). That said, the membership organizations that publish periodical updates on courier flight availability often save their members enough money after one or two flights to easily justify their services.

What are some of the possible downsides of flying as an air courier?

Not being able to fly with a friend or travel partner is the number one complaint I hear from frequent air couriers. Sure, you can always try to meet up with your special someone a day or two after you arrive, but there's no substitute for hitting the ground together running, especially when headed to a large, intimidating foreign metropolis, like, say, New York City. Another possible downside (depending on how many pair of shoes you're accustomed to traveling with!) is having to carry-on all your luggage, though some flights allow couriers to check-in one personal bag. Short turn around times and limited layover stays can be a drawback for those accustomed to packing their rucksacks for multi-month rambles, but occasionally flights offering up to one year stays are available. More often though, return flights depart within a week or two, with possible stays of up to one month, particularly in Asia.