On Board Courier Delivery
Hand-carried by a courier on the next available flight
When something has to be with someone abroad today or tomorrow, and you can’t risk it sitting in a cargo shed, an on board courier is the answer. One of our couriers collects it from you, flies with it on the next available flight and hands it to the recipient in person.
It never leaves the courier’s care, so there are no depots, no handovers and no waiting for a cargo slot. That makes it the fastest and most secure way to send something urgent or valuable overseas.
What Is an On Board Courier?
An on board courier (sometimes written onboard courier, or OBC) is a person who travels on a normal passenger flight with your shipment as their luggage. Small items go in the cabin with them. Larger ones go in the hold as checked baggage, and the courier collects them straight off the carousel.
Because the courier is with it from your door to the recipient’s, nothing is passed between depots, sorting centres or other drivers along the way.
When On Board Courier Is Used
When it can’t wait and can’t go missing
Typical reasons customers choose an on board courier:
- A machine is down abroad and the replacement part has to be there today
- Original signed documents are needed for a closing, a court hearing or an embassy
- A prototype, sample or piece of kit has to arrive in time for a launch, show or test
- The item is too valuable or confidential to hand to a cargo network
Service Requirements
What can be sent
- Shipments up to around 30kg in total, packed for air travel
- Everything must meet airline rules and the customs rules of the destination
- Dangerous goods, such as lithium batteries, liquids or chemicals, must be declared before booking, and some can’t be carried
- We’ll help you with the customs paperwork before the courier sets off
Global Coverage
From London airports to anywhere with a flight
Our couriers fly from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and London City, whichever has the quickest route that day. We can fly anywhere with a scheduled passenger flight, including across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
We collect from anywhere in London. If you’re elsewhere in the UK, we’ll collect it and take it to the most suitable airport.
Delivery Timeframes
Usually hours, not days
How quickly it arrives depends on the next suitable flight. Many European cities can be reached the same day, and most destinations further away within 24–48 hours. We’ll tell you the flight and the expected delivery time before you confirm.
Who Uses On Board Courier Services
Businesses where a delay costs more than the courier
Our on board courier customers include law firms and banks sending original documents, manufacturers and engineers sending parts to stopped production lines, tech companies moving prototypes and hardware, and life sciences firms sending samples and equipment.
How It Works
From your quote to their door
- Tell us what it is, where it’s going and when it has to arrive, online or on 020 7870 3444.
- We check flights and send you a quote with the route and expected delivery time.
- Once you confirm, we collect it from you straight away.
- The courier flies with it on the next suitable flight.
- They take it from the arrival airport to the recipient and hand it over in person.
You’ll get updates at each stage, and confirmation with the recipient’s name when it’s delivered.
Why Use On Board Courier
The fastest and safest way to send it abroad
- A dedicated courier with your shipment all the way
- The fastest way to get something overseas
- No depots, sorting centres or handovers
- Routed on the next available flight
- Ideal for urgent, valuable or confidential items
Collection Vehicles in London
Getting it to the airport
Before the flight, we collect from your door in the right vehicle for the size of the shipment, from a motorbike for documents to a van for larger items, and drive it straight to the airport.
On Board Courier FAQs
Answers to the questions we get asked most
Is the courier with my parcel the whole time?
Yes. The courier collects it, keeps it with them on the flight and hands it over in person, so it’s never left in a cargo shed or passed between depots.
How much does an on board courier cost?
It depends mainly on the flight and the destination, plus collection and delivery at each end. We’ll give you a full quote, including the flight, before you book.
How quickly can a courier leave?
We start checking flights as soon as you get in touch. Often a courier can be on a flight within a few hours of booking, depending on the destination and availability.
What’s the maximum weight?
Up to around 30kg in total, packed for air travel. For heavier shipments, we’ll suggest air freight instead.
Can you send to any country?
Anywhere with a scheduled passenger flight, as long as the item is allowed into that country. Check with us first for restricted items.
Will I know when it’s delivered?
Yes. You’ll get updates through the journey and confirmation of delivery with the recipient’s name.