Air freight from Sydney to Los Angeles takes about 14 hours. Ocean freight takes 16 to 22 days. That gap in transit time is usually the first thing a shipper looks at — but it shouldn't be the only thing. Air freight is priced per kilogram and is ideal for samples, perishables, high-value electronics and urgent spare parts. Ocean freight is priced per container or per cubic metre and dominates for bulky, heavy or non-urgent cargo. We unpack the real-world decision matrix.
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Air Freight
Ocean vs Air Freight: How to Choose the Right Mode in 2026
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CNAir Global Research Team
Analyst
1 min read
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