Airline overview
Atlas Air was founded in 1992 by Michael Chowdry and began commercial operations in 1993 with a single Boeing 747-200 freighter, starting out by providing aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) wet lease service to other airlines. The IATA two-letter code is 5Y, the ICAO three-letter code is GTI and the radio call sign is GIANT. The official website is atlasair.com.
Atlas Air is part of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, which was acquired by Apollo Global Management in August 2022 for about USD 3.2 billion and has operated independently since. The head office is in Purchase, New York, and the main operating bases are New York JFK International Airport (JFK), Miami International Airport (MIA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), with established cargo handling resources at Anchorage (ANC) and other gateways.
For Chinese shippers Atlas Air is a core freighter carrier linking China with the Americas and Europe. The airline has long deployed capacity at Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Capital and Hong Kong and carries cross-border e-commerce, high-value electronics, perishable cold chain and charter cargo with China as one of its main source markets. Chinese exports move on the 747 fleet direct to the main gateways in North America, Latin America and Europe, then complete last-mile distribution over the ground network.
Atlas Air is built around freighter capacity and does not operate ordinary passenger flights. Capacity is organised flexibly and scheduled to customer demand, which makes the airline a common choice for Chinese exporters needing bulk space or whole-aircraft capacity.
Atlas Air sells in the China market mainly through freight forwarder partnerships, and bookings, consolidation and ground handling for China business are mostly handled by local agents. Shippers do not need to deal with an overseas carrier directly; a forwarder provides the full chain from a Chinese gateway to the destination.
Company history
Global fleet composition
Atlas Air operates the world's largest fleet of Boeing 747 freighters alongside Boeing 777 and 767 widebody freighters, a mix that covers long-haul mainline, regional express and large-item transport. For the China export market the volume, payload and nose-loading capability of the 747 make it the main type for full-pallet, full-container and outsize cargo.
| Aircraft type | Fleet role | Freight characteristics | Suitable China cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 747-8F | New-generation long-haul flagship freighter; the only type in the world offered with outsourced operation by Atlas Air | Payload about 130 tonnes, range covers China to North America and Europe nonstop, main deck takes pallets and containers | Urgent full-pallet cargo, e-commerce bulk and high-value electronics from China to the Americas and Europe |
| Boeing 747-400F | Workhorse of the 747 fleet, long serving transpacific and Asia-Europe routes | Payload about 110 tonnes, nose door takes very long pieces, mature operating economics | Chinese exports of machinery parts, consumer electronics, textiles and general full-pallet cargo |
| Boeing 777-200F | New-generation twin-engine widebody freighter supplementing long-haul capacity | Payload about 100 tonnes, better fuel burn and unit cost than four-engine types | Scheduled and charter routes from China to the Americas, balancing cost and transit time |
| Boeing 767-300F | Medium widebody freighter for regional markets and e-commerce customers | Payload about 50 tonnes, suited to high-frequency medium-haul sectors | E-commerce express and general cargo from China to Asia Pacific |
Public data shows the Atlas Air fleet in service includes 17 Boeing 747-8F, 39 Boeing 747-400F and several 747 series freighters including the Large Cargo Freighter (LCF), with Boeing 777 and 767 freighters supplementing capacity. In March 2026 the company announced an order for 20 Airbus A350F aircraft and will introduce new-generation freighters over time. Fleet numbers and configuration change with operating decisions; the latest information published by the carrier applies.
Beyond freighters, Atlas Air also operates Boeing 747-400 passenger and combi aircraft for military charters, personnel transport and special mission flying, and this wider operating system supports the stability of the global network. For the China export market the freighter fleet is the overwhelming majority of capacity, with fleet size and type mix built around bulk cargo and full-pallet loading.
Business model
Atlas Air is centred on freighter capacity outsourcing and charter service, serving express and e-commerce platforms, air freight forwarders, liner companies and other airlines. Chinese shippers and forwarders can obtain capacity in the following ways, depending on volume and transit requirement.
ACMI wet lease
Atlas Air provides integrated wet lease of aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance. A forwarder or airline can lease a 747 freighter outright and deploy it on China to worldwide routes, with Atlas Air supplying crew and engineering support while the customer decides the points and schedule.
CMI capacity management
The customer supplies or leases its own aircraft and Atlas Air provides crew, maintenance and insurance (CMI). The model suits Chinese companies that already hold fleet resources and want to use the Atlas Air operating system, lowering the barrier to running an airline.
Commercial cargo charter
A Chinese shipper or forwarder can apply for a one-way or round-trip charter of an Atlas Air 747 freighter to match a bulk requirement. Charter routes are not limited to the scheduled network and can be built around volume, transit time and destination, which suits bulk, full-pallet or urgent cargo.
Scheduled cargo flights
Atlas Air and its subsidiaries operate several scheduled cargo routes from China, such as Shanghai Pudong to Cincinnati and Shanghai and Hong Kong to Guadalajara in Mexico, and shippers can book against the schedule for stable weekly capacity.
Points served in China
Atlas Air has long operated cargo services from China to worldwide destinations and deploys capacity at the main Chinese gateways and Hong Kong. Extra-section charter approvals published by the Civil Aviation Administration of China show Atlas Air has flown cargo charters on routes such as Los Angeles to Chongqing and New York JFK via Hangzhou to Seoul Incheon, with routings adjusted to market demand.
Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
The airline's main gateway in the east China market, with scheduled and charter routes covering the United States and Latin America and established cargo handling and slot resources.
Beijing Capital (PEK)
One of the cargo gateways for the north China market, handling export loading and import distribution for northern cargo, with routings approved to demand.
Hong Kong (HKG)
A key air cargo gateway in Asia Pacific. Atlas Air has an office in Hong Kong at Citygate, Tung Chung, and together with Shanghai supports scheduled routes such as China to Mexico.
Beyond these gateways, little public information covers Atlas Air's own offices in mainland China, and China business is handled mainly through forwarders and partners. Chinese shippers can ask Goodhope Freight about schedules, rates and space at a specific gateway.
Cargo routes from China to worldwide destinations
Atlas Air's routes from China run mainly to North America and Latin America, with Anchorage and Cincinnati used as transit and consolidation points linking the US interior and the global network. The main published route directions are as follows.
The Shanghai Pudong to Cincinnati route is flown with Boeing 747 freighters. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is a major Atlas Air operating base, and cargo can be distributed to the US Midwest and East Coast over the ground network. The Shanghai and Hong Kong to Guadalajara routes have run continuously since 2018 as an Atlas Air project with GEODIS and completed their 500th flight by October 2025, making them a stable air channel into the Mexican market.
In June 2026 Atlas Air and CIMC Wetrans signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shanghai for long-term scheduled Boeing 777-200F freighter service from China to Miami. Miami is a core aviation hub for the Americas, and cargo can transit there to cover the main South American markets. Chinese exports can also move on a 747 freighter charter, subject to volume, direct to nominated airports in North America, Europe and Latin America.
Transpacific, Chinese export cargo can also transit at Anchorage (ANC) into the North American inland network. Anchorage sits at the midpoint of the China-US route and is an important technical stop and consolidation point for Atlas Air, where cargo connects to flights across the US mainland, giving gateways in east and central China a flexible transit path. Actual routes and schedules are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Cargo types suited to China exports
The payload and full-freighter configuration of the Atlas Air 747 give Chinese exports efficient full-pallet and full-container loading across several commodity groups. Given the structure of Chinese trade and the route pattern, the following categories commonly use Atlas Air capacity.
Cross-border e-commerce and express
Parcels and express shipments sent in bulk by e-commerce platforms and logistics providers to North America and Latin America, using the volume and scheduled frequency of the 747 for steady dispatch.
Electronics and high-value cargo
High-value goods such as phones, computers, communications equipment and precision instruments, where direct freighter service and apron handling reduce transit damage and protect both transit time and security.
Perishable and cold chain cargo
Seafood, fruit and vegetables and temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals, for which charters and temperature-controlled handling can be arranged with fast connections to the North American market through hubs such as Anchorage.
Machinery and outsize cargo
Construction machinery, production line equipment and very long pieces, loaded through the 747 nose door in a way that no passenger belly hold can match.
Dangerous goods and chemicals
Lithium batteries, chemicals and other dangerous goods declared under IATA DGR rules, for which a freighter can provide dedicated dangerous goods loading and segregation.
Full-pallet and full-container bulk
Textiles, apparel, household goods and other general bulk cargo loaded on pallets, using the full main deck volume of the 747 to lower the unit transport cost.
Core freight capabilities
Atlas Air supports the China export market at the following stages, covering the full flow from loading at a Chinese gateway to distribution at destination.
Gateway slots and handling resources
According to Atlas Air's public information, the company holds its own slot resources in China, Hong Kong and the main air cargo gateways worldwide. Chinese export cargo gets reliable departure slots at Shanghai Pudong, Hong Kong and other gateways, reducing delays caused by slot constraints.
Global traffic rights
Atlas Air holds US operating authority and can serve most countries, having operated to more than 130 countries and territories since 2017. Chinese exports can connect through US gateways to the North American interior, Latin America and Europe, with broad traffic rights coverage.
24-hour operations control centre
Atlas Air runs a global operations control centre providing round-the-clock flight monitoring and cargo status tracking. Shippers and forwarders can follow flight movements and cargo location in real time, which helps plan destination clearance and last-mile delivery.
Dedicated cargo facilities
The company has dedicated cargo handling facilities at bases including Cincinnati and Anchorage, offering pallet handling, temperature-controlled storage and fast transit for Chinese import cargo moving through the United States.
For seasonal demand from China, Atlas Air agrees capacity plans with forwarders and e-commerce platforms ahead of peak season and locks charter and scheduled slots early. Shippers can discuss long-term capacity agreements with the carrier against their shipping plan and secure stable space in peak season.
Booking path from China
Chinese shippers can book a scheduled Atlas Air flight or apply for a charter through the following steps.
Requirement confirmation
Confirm cargo type, total weight, total volume, packaging and final destination, and whether there are dangerous goods, cold chain or oversize requirements.
Capacity plan
Choose scheduled booking or a full charter based on volume and transit time, confirm the departure gateway, aircraft type and schedule, and obtain a freight rate.
Booking confirmation
Goodhope Freight secures Atlas Air space, signs the transport instruction and confirms the air waybill details and handover arrangements.
Handover and tracking
Cargo is delivered to the nominated gateway warehouse, export cleared and loaded, tracked throughout the flight, and connected to destination clearance and delivery on arrival.
Booking Atlas Air from China
Departing from Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and other gateways, Boeing 747 freighters fly direct to North America and Latin America, with full-pallet, charter and cold chain options. Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited provides bookings, consolidation and export clearance, and destination clearance coordination.
Visit the Goodhope Freight website (goodhope86.com)Network: from China to the world
The diagram shows Chinese export cargo departing Shanghai, Hong Kong and other gateways, flying direct on the Atlas Air 747 fleet or transiting hubs such as Anchorage, and arriving at the main gateways in the Americas and Europe.
Decision guide for Chinese shippers
There are many logistics options for Chinese exports to North America and Latin America, and Atlas Air is clearly useful in the following situations.
Whole-aircraft charter and bulk capacity
Chinese cross-border e-commerce sellers and large exporters need to move big volumes during promotions or peak season. Atlas Air can provide a whole 747 freighter charter carrying several hundred tonnes direct to the target market in one lift, avoiding the connection costs of booking many separate waybills.
A fast transpacific channel
Urgent cargo from China to the US west coast and Midwest can move on the scheduled Shanghai Pudong service or transit at Anchorage; a direct freighter removes the belly-hold connection and makes total transit time more predictable.
Direct link to Latin America
Air capacity from China to Mexico and South America is relatively scarce. The Atlas Air Guadalajara and Miami routes give exporters stable capacity, and cargo can move on from the Latin American gateways to markets across South America.
Access through a specialist forwarder
Atlas Air sells in mainland China mainly through forwarder partnerships, so a specialist forwarder gives shippers live space, rates and handling support without having to coordinate an overseas carrier directly.
Departure from a western gateway
For exporters in central and western China, Atlas Air charter routes can depart from a gateway near the cargo origin, cutting cross-region transport cost. Chongqing, Chengdu and other western gateways have a record of Atlas Air cargo charters, and western exporters can assess a charter against their volume.
What Goodhope Freight does on Atlas Air business
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited has long handled air freight from China to the Americas and Europe. For Atlas Air capacity we provide the following services that Chinese shippers can use directly.
Cargo consolidation at China ports and customs declaration
Chinese shippers can deliver at Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and other main gateways, and Goodhope Freight handles consolidation, export clearance and the Atlas Air booking. For east China cargo we can consolidate locally in Shanghai, load directly and ship against the scheduled service.
Charter and full-pallet options
For bulk cargo and peak season volumes, Goodhope Freight helps shippers compare the cost of full-pallet loading against a whole-aircraft charter, applies to Atlas Air for charter approval, and arranges inland consolidation and cross-gateway transfer.
Dangerous goods and compliance pre-check
Cargo containing lithium batteries or other dangerous goods must be packed and declared under IATA DGR rules. Goodhope Freight confirms the packing method and transport documents before booking so cargo is not rejected or delayed at the gateway over paperwork.
Arrival tracking and final distribution
Goodhope Freight tracks the waybill status throughout after departure from China. On arrival at gateways such as Cincinnati and Miami we arrange clearance and last-mile distribution within the United States and toward Latin America. If carrier capacity or gateway rules change, we notify the shipper promptly and adjust the onward plan.
Goodhope Freight also handles import clearance and delivery for the Americas direction: cargo sent by Chinese importers from the United States or Mexico on Atlas Air is cleared and delivered inland by us on arrival at the Chinese gateway, closing the loop in both directions.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does Atlas Air operate cargo flights direct from China?
Yes. Shanghai Pudong to Cincinnati is a scheduled Boeing 747 freighter route, Shanghai and Hong Kong to Guadalajara in Mexico is a weekly scheduled route, and several cargo charter routes operate subject to approval.
What are the IATA and ICAO codes of Atlas Air?
The IATA two-letter code is 5Y, the ICAO three-letter code is GTI and the radio call sign is GIANT. The official website is atlasair.com.
Which aircraft types are in the Atlas Air fleet?
It operates the world's largest fleet of Boeing 747 freighters, including the 747-8F, 747-400F and the Large Cargo Freighter (LCF), plus Boeing 777 and 767 freighters, and in 2026 ordered 20 Airbus A350F aircraft.
Which Chinese exports suit Atlas Air?
Cross-border e-commerce parcels, electronics, perishable cold chain, machinery and outsize pieces, dangerous goods, and full-pallet or full-container general cargo. The payload and nose loading of the 747 suit bulk and very long cargo.
How do I book a scheduled Atlas Air flight?
Goodhope Freight confirms the cargo parameters and secures space, or applies for a 747 freighter charter. Consolidation and clearance can be arranged at Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and other gateways.
How long does the full journey from China to the United States take?
Shanghai direct to the US Midwest on the scheduled route takes about 13 to 15 hours; with consolidation in China and US clearance the whole movement usually takes 3 to 5 days, subject to the plan confirmed on the day of booking.
Which points does Atlas Air serve in China?
Published Chinese points are Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Beijing Capital (PEK) and Hong Kong (HKG), with Hangzhou, Chongqing and other gateways served by extra-section charters.
What business models does Atlas Air offer?
Four models: ACMI aircraft wet lease, CMI capacity management, commercial cargo charter and scheduled cargo flights. Chinese shippers choose by volume and transit requirement.
Which Chinese logistics companies does Atlas Air work with?
Public information shows Atlas Air operates the China to Guadalajara scheduled route with GEODIS, opened the China to Miami route with CIMC Wetrans, and supplies air capacity to e-commerce logistics companies including Cainiao.
How is an Atlas Air charter arranged?
A Chinese shipper submits volume, points and schedule requirements through Goodhope Freight, which applies to Atlas Air for charter approval and then arranges consolidation, clearance and loading under the charter contract.
Disclaimer
Information is provided for reference only and does not form any contract of carriage or commercial commitment. Atlas Air route schedules, fleet configuration and cargo capacity may change with operating decisions without notice; flight times are local and actual schedules and rates are subject to confirmation by the carrier or the relevant authority on the day of booking.
Contact details
For details of air freight services from China to the Americas, Europe and worldwide, or for Atlas Air booking and charter assistance, contact:
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight)
Official website: goodhope86.com
Trademark notice
Atlas Air, 5Y, GTI and related marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Atlas Air or Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. The names are used only for identification and explanation and do not indicate any agency, partnership or affiliation between the publisher and Atlas Air. Other airline names and trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.