Airline overview
Polar Air Cargo, or Polar, is a US all-cargo airline based in White Plains, New York. Its IATA two-letter code is PO, its ICAO three-letter code PAC and its radio call sign POLAR. Its website is polaraircargo.com.
Polar Air Cargo began operating in 1993, linking North America, Asia and Europe with scheduled all-cargo flights and serving freight forwarders worldwide with time-definite scheduled capacity. The fleet is entirely Boeing freighters, 747-8F and 777-200F, built for palletised loads and suited to large, time-critical Chinese export shipments.
Polar has a long relationship with DHL, the global express group, and is one of the main capacity providers on DHL's trans-Pacific and global network. In 2025 its parent Atlas Air Worldwide completed the purchase of the remaining Polar shares, and Polar continues to run scheduled cargo under its own brand.
For Chinese shippers the value of Polar is its scheduled network from major Chinese airports to the United States and Europe. Freighter services from Shanghai Pudong, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, with connections at hubs such as Anchorage, Cincinnati and Leipzig, give cross-border e-commerce, electronics and high-value cargo steady space and a predictable schedule.
With China-US trade and cross-border e-commerce still growing, trans-Pacific air cargo demand stays high. Polar's high-capacity 747-8F and 777-200F fleet, flying a scheduled network, makes it an important option for palletised and volume Chinese exports. Booking through a forwarder gives shippers live space and rates at gateways such as Shanghai and Hong Kong, and more control over shipping plans.
Company history
Global fleet composition
The Polar fleet is entirely Boeing freighters, mainly 747-8F and 777-200F. For Chinese exports the 747-8F combines heavy payload with long nonstop range, making it the usual type for palletised and volume cargo from China to North America and Europe.
| Aircraft type | Fleet role | Freight characteristics | Suitable China cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 747-8F | Long-haul high-payload freighter, the mainstay | Maximum payload about 133 tonnes, main deck volume about 780 cubic metres, a nose door for very long items, and range for nonstop trans-Pacific sectors | Palletised volume cargo, e-commerce and oversize special cargo from China to North America and Europe |
| Boeing 777-200F | New-generation widebody freighter | Maximum payload about 102 tonnes, main deck volume about 653 cubic metres, high fuel efficiency and suited to frequent scheduled routes | Scheduled volume cargo from China to the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific |
Polar's published information shows a fleet of Boeing 747-8F and 777-200F freighters, some of them flying the express network in DHL colours. Fleet numbers and mix change with management decisions and follow the carrier's latest publication. The airline has also operated types such as the 747-400F in the past, providing trans-Pacific capacity for DHL and forwarder customers.
The 747-8F is the largest commercial freighter Boeing builds, with payload and volume at the top of the freighter market and a nose door that takes items over twelve metres long; the 777-200F is known for fuel efficiency and suits high-frequency scheduled routes. Together the two types let Polar take large trunk loads and also adjust capacity on regional routes.
Business model
Polar centers on scheduled cargo and combines network capacity with charter services for forwarders and express operators worldwide. Shippers and forwarders can choose from the following ways of securing capacity by volume and deadline.
Scheduled cargo network
Polar runs scheduled cargo across the Pacific, the Atlantic and Asia, linking major Chinese airports with US and European gateways on a steady schedule suited to regular volume bookings.
DHL network capacity
As a core capacity provider on DHL's trans-Pacific and global network, Polar flies time-definite express services with aircraft such as the 747-8F for the worldwide express sorting network.
On-demand cargo charters
Shippers or forwarders with volume requirements can charter a Polar freighter, with the routing tailored to volume, deadline and destination, which suits large and special cargo.
Group capacity
Drawing on parent Atlas Air Worldwide's global fleet and capacity planning, Polar can arrange group capacity in peak season or for special requirements to secure space for Chinese exports.
Points served in China
In China and around the region Polar uses Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen as cargo gateways to North America and Europe. The points below are the main Chinese and regional gateways in its published network.
Hong Kong (HKG)
One of Polar's core hubs, with freighter services to US and European gateways including Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Leipzig, and connections to mainland Chinese origins.
Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
The main East China cargo gateway, with scheduled services to Anchorage connecting to the North American network, plus connections to mainland China and Asian points.
Shenzhen (SZX)
The South China cargo gateway, with connections to South China and Southeast Asian points, serving Pearl River Delta cross-border e-commerce and electronics.
Polar also has hubs at Incheon (ICN) and Narita (NRT) in Asia-Pacific, which together with Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen form the Asian network. Mainland Chinese cargo can connect at these gateways to Polar's trans-Pacific and intra-Asia flights.
Cargo from mainland Chinese cities can be consolidated to Hong Kong, Shanghai or another gateway on domestic trunk or regional flights and then connect to Polar's scheduled international services. South China cargo can connect to Hong Kong by road or sea, and Yangtze Delta and central China cargo can go direct to Shanghai Pudong. Shippers can choose the consolidation path that fits origin and deadline.
Scheduled routes from China to the world
Polar operates scheduled freighter routes from Chinese and Asia-Pacific gateways to the United States and Europe. The main published directions are:
Shanghai Pudong to Anchorage is one of Polar's trans-Pacific trunk routes, with a technical stop at Anchorage before connecting to the North American inland network; Hong Kong to Cincinnati and Los Angeles connect directly to DHL's North American hubs; Hong Kong to Leipzig delivers into DHL's European centre. Mainland Chinese cargo can feed these routes through gateways such as Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Anchorage is the key technical stop on Polar's trans-Pacific network, positioned between North America and Asia with full freighter handling and transfer capability. After Anchorage, Chinese export cargo can connect to Polar and group network flights across the US west coast, midwest and east coast; through the Cincinnati hub it connects to DHL's North American distribution system for fast delivery inland.
Cargo types suited to China exports
The payload and palletised loading capability of Polar's 747-8F and 777-200F freighters give several kinds of Chinese export cargo an efficient route. Given the structure of Chinese trade, the following categories fit Polar.
Cross-border e-commerce and bulk express
Volume shipments from e-commerce platforms and express operators to the United States and Europe; Polar's scheduled flights are steady and the DHL network adds fast direct transit.
Electronics and high-value cargo
High-value goods such as phones, computers, telecom equipment and precision instruments; freighter service reduces transfer handling, and the 747-8F payload suits volume shipments.
Perishables and temperature-controlled cargo
Cold chain cargo such as seafood, fruit and vegetables and temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals can be booked with a temperature-controlled plan, and Polar's hubs have cold chain capability.
Oversize and special cargo
The 747-8F nose door takes very long items, suiting machinery, pipework and large industrial goods, with a dedicated loading plan on a freighter.
Dangerous goods and chemicals
Lithium batteries, chemicals and other dangerous goods declared under the IATA DGR rules get dedicated loading and segregation arrangements on freighters.
Time-critical commercial shipments
For business express and time-sensitive cargo, the scheduled network and the DHL system provide fast transit, suiting spares, samples and urgent shipments.
Core freight capabilities
Polar provides the following capabilities around the global scheduled cargo market, covering the flow from loading at a Chinese airport to distribution at destination.
Schedule reliability
Compared with ad hoc charters, scheduled freighter flights give predictable dates and space, letting shippers plan their shipping rhythm by season and reducing peak-season uncertainty.
Trans-Pacific trunk capacity
Trans-Pacific trunk routes such as Shanghai Pudong to Anchorage, with the 747-8F payload, take large Chinese export volumes and connect at Anchorage to the North American inland network.
Global hub connections
Hubs at Anchorage, Cincinnati and Leipzig form the global transfer network, so cargo can connect quickly to onward flights and surface transport in North America and Europe.
Time-definite operating system
As a long-standing capacity partner of the DHL network, Polar has a mature system for time-definite cargo, which suits shipments with tight deadlines.
Pallet and special loading
The freighter fleet takes pallets and containers, and the 747-8F nose door handles very long items, meeting the loading needs of special Chinese exports.
Capacity security in peak season
Drawing on the Atlas Air Worldwide fleet and planning system, Polar can add capacity in peak season or around major sales events, reducing the effect of tight space on Chinese shippers and making shipping plans more predictable.
Booking path from China
Booking Polar scheduled space or charter capacity from China follows the steps below. Compared with belly booking, freighter booking needs earlier confirmation of pallet handover and loading, so shippers should allow enough time for consolidation and export declaration before departure.
Requirement confirmation
Confirm commodity, total weight, total volume, packing and final destination, and whether the cargo involves dangerous goods, cold chain or oversize requirements.
Capacity enquiry
Check Polar's scheduled flights and connection options for the destination, confirm departure airport, schedule and rate, and compare direct against via-routings.
Booking and handover
Book through Goodhope with the carrier, confirm MAWB and HAWB details, deliver the cargo to the designated airport warehouse, and complete export declaration and pallet handover.
Transport and tracking
Track the flight throughout; on arrival at destination connect to clearance and distribution, and cargo routed through hubs such as Anchorage and Cincinnati can connect to North American inland transport.
Booking Polar Air Cargo from China
Departures from Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen on scheduled Boeing 747-8F and 777-200F services, with pallet, temperature-controlled and volume options. Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited provides booking, consolidation and export declaration and connects to clearance at destination.
Visit the Goodhope Freight website (goodhope86.com)Network: from China to the world
The schematic shows Chinese export cargo leaving gateways such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen on Polar scheduled flights, nonstop or through hubs such as Anchorage and Cincinnati, to markets in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Decision guide for Chinese shippers
Chinese exporters to the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific have many routing choices, and Polar has clear value in the following cases.
Steady scheduled space
For shippers with stable volumes who ship to plan, scheduled freighter flights give predictable dates and space, which suits long-term trade and e-commerce stock planning.
Heavy payload, palletised
The 747-8F, with about 133 tonnes of payload and nose loading, suits large, very long and heavy cargo and cuts the handling cost of splitting shipments.
Global hub network
Through hubs at Anchorage, Cincinnati and Leipzig, Chinese cargo connects to onward networks in North America and Europe, reaching a wide inland market.
Time-definite and express system
Long cooperation with the DHL network gives Polar mature experience in time-definite cargo, which suits high-value shipments with strict deadlines.
Capacity advice for Chinese shippers
Shippers with steady volumes and concentrated destinations should evaluate scheduled space and long-term contracts for more stable rates and space; where volumes fluctuate or shipments are ad hoc, charters or part-charter arrangements give flexibility. Shippers can work with a forwarder to compare total transit time and cost between the Shanghai nonstop and routings through Hong Kong or Incheon.
What Goodhope can do on Polar services
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited has long handled air freight from China to the United States and Europe and offers Chinese shippers the following services on Polar scheduled capacity.
Scheduled space booking
Goodhope checks Polar's scheduled flights and connections from gateways such as Shanghai and Hong Kong, confirms rates, locks space and issues the shipping instruction.
Cargo consolidation at China ports and customs declaration
Shippers can hand over at major airports including Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and Goodhope handles consolidation, export declaration and pallet handover, shipping to the flight schedule.
Dangerous goods and compliance pre-check
Lithium battery and other dangerous goods shipments must be packed and declared under IATA DGR rules; we help confirm the packaging plan and transport documents before booking so cargo is not rejected or delayed at the gateway.
Arrival tracking and destination distribution
After departure Goodhope tracks the air waybill throughout, and when cargo reaches hubs such as Anchorage, Cincinnati or Leipzig helps arrange clearance and inland distribution in North America and Europe.
Multi-gateway coordination and peak season capacity
Goodhope has partner ground handling at Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong and can organize consolidation and pallet build quickly once space is confirmed. Ahead of e-commerce peak seasons and major sales events, Goodhope agrees volume plans with clients early and coordinates scheduled space and charter windows to keep tight peak capacity from disrupting shipping schedules.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which Chinese airports does Polar serve?
Published network information shows Shanghai Pudong, Hong Kong and Shenzhen as its main Chinese cargo gateways, with Asia-Pacific hubs at Incheon and Narita connecting mainland Chinese cargo.
What are Polar's IATA and ICAO codes?
IATA two-letter code PO, ICAO three-letter code PAC, radio call sign POLAR. The website is polaraircargo.com.
Which aircraft are in the Polar fleet?
Boeing 747-8F and 777-200F freighters, all Boeing types, with some aircraft flying the express network in DHL colours.
What is the relationship between Polar and DHL?
Since 2007 DHL has held a 49% economic interest in Polar and the two have long operated a time-definite express network together; in 2025 Atlas Air Worldwide bought the remaining shares and Polar continues to operate independently.
Which Chinese exports suit Polar?
Volume e-commerce cargo, electronics, perishable and temperature-controlled goods, oversize special cargo, dangerous goods and time-critical commercial shipments; the 747-8F suits volume and very long cargo.
What is the relationship between Polar and Atlas Air?
Polar has been part of the Atlas Air Worldwide group since 2001, alongside Atlas Air, and has been wholly owned by the group since 2025.
How do I book a Polar flight?
Goodhope can check scheduled flights and rates and book, and handles consolidation, export declaration and tracking from booking through to distribution at destination.
Which trans-Pacific routes does Polar operate?
Shanghai Pudong to Anchorage is one trans-Pacific trunk route, Hong Kong to Cincinnati and Los Angeles connect directly to North American hubs, and there are Asia-Pacific connections through hubs such as Incheon.
Disclaimer
All information is provided for reference only and does not form a transport contract or commercial commitment. Polar Air Cargo route schedules, fleet and cargo capability may change with management decisions without notice; flight times are local and actual schedules and rates are confirmed by the carrier or the relevant authority on the day of booking.
Contact details
For details of air freight from China to the United States, Europe and other markets, or help with a Polar booking, contact:
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight)
Official website: goodhope86.com
Trademark notice
Polar Air Cargo, PO, PAC and POLAR and related marks are registered or unregistered trademarks of Polar Air Cargo or its affiliates. The names are used here for identification only and do not imply any agency, partnership or affiliation between Goodhope and Polar Air Cargo. Other airline names and marks mentioned are the trademarks of their respective owners.