The Boeing 737-400 Freighter is the workhorse narrow-body of Los Angeles air cargo, and it is the first aircraft on this list that will cross the country in one leg. Main-deck pallets, jet speed and a deep operating fleet.
Boeing built the 737-400 as a stretched Classic-series narrow-body and freighter conversions are widespread, fitted with a large main-deck cargo door. Two CFM56 engines, jet cruise speeds and around 2,000 nautical miles of range with a full payload. Full specifications for the Boeing 737-400 Freighter are published by Boeing Business Jets.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Cargo Aircraft
- Manufacturer: Boeing Commercial Airplanes (converted by AEI / IAI Bedek / Pemco)
- Year introduced: 1988
- Seating: Crew only (cargo)
- Crew: 2
- Range: 2,000 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: Mach 0.745 (about 430 knots)
- Service ceiling: 37,000 feet
- Length: 119.6 feet
- Wingspan: 94.8 feet
- Height: 36.5 feet
- Baggage volume: 4,580 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Crew only
Why the Boeing 737-400 Freighter Fits Los Angeles
This is the size that handles most Los Angeles express and e-commerce freight: a full main deck of pallets moving overnight to the Midwest or the East Coast, or south into Mexico and Central America.
Ontario is the practical base. Twelve thousand one hundred and ninety-seven feet of runway and 24-hour operation with no curfew is exactly what a fully loaded narrow-body freighter needs on a late departure, and it is why the region’s cargo traffic concentrates there rather than at LAX.
Conversions vary between operators in door size, floor loading and pallet positions, so we confirm the specific aircraft’s cargo configuration against the load rather than quoting the type.
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; reports may be provided on request.
- 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 737-400 Freighter run $5,500 to $7,500 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The 737-400 Freighter quotes in the middle of the freighter band and is normally the cheapest way to move a full main deck of pallets out of Los Angeles.
Other Cargo Aircrafts Available
The full cargo aircrafts category page lists every cargo aircraft we arrange for Los Angeles departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Boeing 737-400 Freighter charter in or out of Los Angeles, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or head to 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.