UPS Airlines Air Cargo Profile
Review verified carrier details, codes, cargo operations, hubs, fleet information, and network coverage where available.
UPS Airlines
IATA: 5XThe all-cargo arm of United Parcel Service, the world's third-largest cargo carrier, built around its Louisville Worldport super-hub.
UPS Airlines is the dedicated cargo airline of United Parcel Service, launched in 1988 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. It operates as an integrated express carrier rather than a traditional airline, flying an all-freighter fleet with no passenger or belly capacity. Its parcels and freight move through UPS's global small-package and supply-chain network, connecting more than 220 countries and territories. In the IATA World Air Transport Statistics report for 2024, UPS ranked third worldwide among cargo airlines, carrying about 15.1 billion cargo tonne-kilometers, behind FedEx and Qatar Airways.
UPS Airlines at a glance
- Headquarters
- Louisville, Kentucky, United States
- Founded
- 1988
- IATA / ICAO code
- 5X / UPS
- Cargo fleet
- All-freighter integrator fleet of roughly 280 aircraft, with no belly capacity (no passenger operations). Widebodies include about 30 Boeing 747-8F (the world's largest operator of the type), around 13 Boeing 747-400F/BCF, roughly 100 Boeing 767-300F, and about 52 Airbus A300-600F. Narrowbody feeder capacity comes from about 75 Boeing 757-200PF. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F fleet was retired by the end of 2025. UPS also charters additional lift, operating more than 500 UPS and chartered aircraft in total.
- Cargo hubs
- Louisville (SDF), with major air hubs at Cologne/Bonn (CGN), Ontario (ONT), Rockford (RFD), Philadelphia (PHL), Anchorage (ANC), Shenzhen (SZX), Shanghai (PVG) and Hong Kong (HKG)
- Parent group
- United Parcel Service, Inc.
- Alliance
- Independent
- Main cargo routes
- Domestic US, Transatlantic (Americas-Europe), Transpacific (Americas-Asia), and Asia-Europe, plus Latin America and intra-Asia lanes
- Official website
- www.ups.com
About UPS Airlines
UPS Airlines is the dedicated cargo airline of United Parcel Service, launched in 1988 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. It operates as an integrated express carrier rather than a traditional airline, flying an all-freighter fleet with no passenger or belly capacity. Its parcels and freight move through UPS's global small-package and supply-chain network, connecting more than 220 countries and territories. In the IATA World Air Transport Statistics report for 2024, UPS ranked third worldwide among cargo airlines, carrying about 15.1 billion cargo tonne-kilometers, behind FedEx and Qatar Airways.
The airline runs a hub-and-spoke system centered on Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), site of the Worldport sorting complex, a facility of roughly 5.2 million square feet. US regional air hubs include Ontario (ONT), Rockford (RFD), Philadelphia (PHL) and Anchorage (ANC), the last serving as a transpacific refueling and transfer point. Internationally, UPS operates its main European air hub at Cologne/Bonn (CGN) in Germany, alongside Asian gateways at Shenzhen (SZX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Hong Kong (HKG), supporting transatlantic, transpacific and Asia-Europe lanes.
UPS Airlines flies a mixed Boeing and Airbus freighter fleet of roughly 280 aircraft. Widebody lift is provided by about 30 Boeing 747-8F, the largest such fleet in the world, together with Boeing 747-400 freighters, roughly 100 Boeing 767-300F and about 52 Airbus A300-600F. Narrowbody feeder routes use around 75 Boeing 757-200PF. The carrier retired its McDonnell Douglas MD-11F fleet by the end of 2025 and continues to expand the 767-300F as its widebody backbone. It is an independent integrator, not a member of any passenger airline alliance.
Using this airline profile
Use the IATA and ICAO codes, cargo division, hubs, and network information on this page to identify the operating carrier and confirm shipment details with UPS Airlines or your freight forwarder.
UPS Airlines air cargo FAQ
Where is UPS Airlines based and when was it founded?
UPS Airlines is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and was founded in 1988 as the dedicated cargo airline of United Parcel Service. Its main hub is Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), home to the Worldport sorting complex.
What are the IATA and ICAO codes for UPS Airlines?
UPS Airlines uses IATA code 5X and ICAO code UPS, with the radio callsign 'UPS'. It flies as an all-cargo integrator under parent company United Parcel Service.
What aircraft does UPS Airlines operate?
UPS flies an all-freighter fleet of roughly 280 aircraft, including about 30 Boeing 747-8F (the world's largest operator), around 100 Boeing 767-300F, about 52 Airbus A300-600F, Boeing 747-400 freighters and around 75 Boeing 757-200PF. Its McDonnell Douglas MD-11F fleet was retired by the end of 2025.