Freight out of Houston tends to be heavy, awkward, or urgent, and the aircraft gets picked to match the load rather than the other way around. The Boeing 747-400F flies freight only, and it is sized by what has to move rather than by who is traveling.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes introduced the Boeing 747-400F in 1993. First delivery to Cargolux Nov 17, 1993. Full specifications for the Boeing 747-400F are published by Boeing Business Jets.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Cargo Aircraft
- Manufacturer: Boeing Commercial Airplanes
- Year introduced: 1993
- Seating: Crew only (cargo)
- Crew: 2
- Range: 4,445 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: Mach 0.85 (about 490 knots)
- Service ceiling: 45,100 feet
- Length: 231.8 feet
- Wingspan: 211.4 feet
- Height: 63.7 feet
- Baggage volume: 18,720 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Crew only
Why the Boeing 747-400F Fits Houston
Bush Intercontinental handles freighters of this size, and the Ship Channel and petrochemical belt are the reason Houston needs them.
The Boeing 747-400F offers about 18,720 cubic feet of main-deck volume and a published range of 4,445 nautical miles, which is what decides whether it suits your shipment out of Houston. It is flown by a crew of 2. 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 Boeing 747-400F run $18,000 to $24,000 per hour as of 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
Other Cargo Aircraft Available
- ATR 72F
- Antonov An-124 Ruslan
- Boeing 737-400 Freighter
- Boeing 737-800BCF
- Boeing 747-8F
- Boeing 757 Freighter
Contact
For a quote on a Boeing 747-400F 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.