Houston cargo charter is driven by the Ship Channel and the petrochemical belt, where a stopped plant costs more per hour than any aircraft. The Antonov An-124 Ruslan flies freight only, and it is sized by what has to move rather than by who is traveling.
Antonov ASTC introduced the Antonov An-124 Ruslan in 1986. It is used out of Houston partly because it can load through a main-deck cargo door. Crew = 6 flight crew (pilot, copilot, navigator, two flight engineers, radio operator) + 2 loadmasters. Every Antonov An-124 Ruslan we arrange flies with an operator certified under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Cargo Aircraft
- Manufacturer: Antonov ASTC
- Year introduced: 1986
- Seating: Crew only (cargo)
- Crew: 6
- Range: 2,430 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 459 knots
- Service ceiling: 39,400 feet
- Length: 226.7 feet
- Wingspan: 240.5 feet
- Height: 68.2 feet
- Baggage volume: 36,680 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Crew only
Why the Antonov An-124 Ruslan Fits Houston
Houston freight tends to be heavy, awkward, or urgent, and often all three. Full-aircraft charter sizes the aircraft to the load rather than the other way around.
The Antonov An-124 Ruslan offers about 36,680 cubic feet of main-deck volume and a published range of 2,430 nautical miles, which is what decides whether it suits your shipment out of Houston. It is flown by a crew of 6. Weight, dimensions, and any hazardous classification all need confirming with the operator before the aircraft is committed.
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Antonov An-124 Ruslan run $25,000 to $35,000 per hour as of 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
Other Cargo Aircraft Available
- ATR 72F
- Boeing 737-400 Freighter
- Boeing 737-800BCF
- Boeing 747-400F
- Boeing 747-8F
- Boeing 757 Freighter
Contact
For a quote on a Antonov An-124 Ruslan charter from Houston, TX, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or visit our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.