What is an air waybill (AWB)?
An air waybill (AWB) is the document that goes with an air cargo shipment. It's the contract of carriage between the shipper and the airline, the airline's receipt for the goods, and the number everyone uses to track the shipment.
Air waybill meaning in one paragraph
When you hand cargo to an airline, or to a freight agent working for one, the carrier issues an air waybill. It records who is sending the goods, who will receive them, where they are going, how many pieces there are, what they weigh and what the transport costs. Each air waybill has a unique 11-digit number. The first three digits identify the airline, so the number alone tells you where to track the shipment.
What an air waybill does
- Contract of carriage. The terms on the back of the AWB, together with the Montreal or Warsaw Convention, set the airline's liability for loss, damage and delay.
- Receipt for the goods. It confirms the airline accepted a stated number of pieces at a stated weight.
- Customs and handling document. Customs brokers, ground handlers and the destination airport all work from the AWB data.
- Tracking reference. Every status update the airline records is tied to the AWB number.
- Freight bill. It shows the charges and whether they are prepaid or collect.
An air waybill is not a document of title. Unlike an ocean bill of lading, it can't be endorsed over to someone else to transfer ownership of the goods. The cargo is released to the consignee named on it. That's why AWBs are marked "not negotiable".
The AWB number: prefix, serial and check digit
Every air waybill number has 11 digits, usually printed as 001-1234 5675:
- Prefix (3 digits): the issuing airline's IATA accounting code. 001 is American Airlines, 176 is Emirates, 235 is Turkish Airlines. See the full AWB prefix list.
- Serial (7 digits): the airline's running number for that waybill.
- Check digit (1 digit): the remainder when the 7-digit serial is divided by 7. 1234567 ÷ 7 leaves 5, so 5 is the check digit. A wrong last digit usually means a typo.
More detail, including how to check a number by hand, is in AWB number format. To track a number now, use the AWB tracker.
Air waybill example, field by field
Paper and electronic air waybills follow the same IATA layout, so the fields sit in the same places for every airline.
| # | Field | What goes there |
|---|---|---|
| ① | Shipper | The party sending the goods, or the forwarder on a master AWB. |
| ② | Issuing carrier | The airline whose prefix starts the AWB number. |
| ③ | Consignee | Who the airline releases the cargo to at destination. |
| ④ | Accounting information | Payment method and references. |
| ⑤ | Agent | The IATA cargo agent that issued the AWB for the airline, with its IATA and account codes. |
| ⑥ | Handling information | Special instructions, such as dangerous goods notes, temperature control or notify party. To check whether an item counts as dangerous goods, use the UN number lookup. |
| ⑦ | Routing | Departure and destination airports (three-letter codes), transfer points, and the booked flight and date. |
| ⑧–⑫ | Rating block | Number of pieces, actual weight, rate class, chargeable weight (the greater of actual or volumetric weight) and the freight charge. |
| ⑬ | Goods description | What the cargo is, plus dimensions or volume. |
| ⑭ | Charges | Weight charge, valuation charge, tax and other charges, split into prepaid and collect. |
| ⑮–⑯ | Signatures | The shipper confirms the details are correct. The carrier or agent signs and dates the waybill. |
Who issues it, and how many copies
The airline issues the AWB, or an IATA-accredited cargo agent issues it on the airline's behalf, using AWB numbers the airline has allocated to that agent. A paper air waybill set has three originals: one for the issuing carrier, one that travels with the goods to the consignee, and one for the shipper. The other copies go to the airlines, airports and agents involved along the route.
Most shipments now use an e-AWB. The same data is sent electronically and no paper contract travels with the cargo. IATA has pushed the industry toward e-AWB as the default since the 2010s.
House air waybill vs master air waybill
When a freight forwarder groups several customers' shipments into one consolidation, two layers of waybills appear. The airline issues a master air waybill (MAWB) to the forwarder for the whole load. The forwarder issues its own house air waybill (HAWB) to each customer. Only the MAWB number starts with an airline prefix and can be tracked on the airline's site. If your number doesn't work on any airline site, it's probably a HAWB. See house vs master air waybill.
Air waybill vs bill of lading
Both are transport contracts and receipts. A bill of lading covers sea freight and is usually negotiable: the original document controls who can collect the goods, and it can be sold or used as security. An air waybill covers air freight and is never negotiable, because air cargo often arrives before paper could. Release goes to the named consignee.
Questions
Is an AWB number the same as a tracking number?
For air cargo, yes. The airline tracks the shipment by its 11-digit AWB number. Courier express services (FedEx, DHL, UPS) also print an "AWB" on their labels, but those numbers only work on the courier's own tracking site.
Who fills in the air waybill?
Usually the airline's cargo agent or the freight forwarder, using details from the shipper's letter of instruction. The shipper is responsible for the accuracy of the goods description and the consignee details.
Is an air waybill a document of title?
No. It's a non-negotiable contract and receipt. The goods are delivered to the consignee named on it, not to whoever holds the paper.
Where do I find my air waybill number?
On the AWB copy itself (top left and top right), in the booking confirmation from your forwarder, or on the commercial invoice or shipping notice. If you only have a forwarder's reference, ask them for the master AWB number.