Air waybill (AWB)

Every air waybill carries an 11-digit number: a three-digit airline prefix followed by an eight-digit serial number whose last digit is a check digit, for example 176-12345675. The AWB records the shipper, consignee, airports of departure and destination, number of pieces, actual and chargeable weight, rates and handling information. Most airlines now accept an electronic AWB (e-AWB), with the data sent to the carrier instead of being printed on the multi-copy paper form.

Unlike an ocean bill of lading, an air waybill is never a document of title: the airline delivers to the consignee named on it, so it cannot be traded or used to hold cargo against payment. Consolidated shipments have two levels. The airline issues a master air waybill (MAWB) to the forwarder, and the forwarder issues a house air waybill (HAWB) to each shipper, mirroring the master and house bills of lading in ocean freight.

Air freight is charged on chargeable weight, the greater of actual and volumetric weight, so wrong dimensions flow straight into the invoice. Dangerous goods need a shipper's declaration and the correct handling information on the AWB, or the cargo can be refused or offloaded. A typo in the consignee name or AWB number causes delays at destination, where the airline's handling agent releases the cargo only to the named party.