Frequently Asked Questions

airwaybilltracker.com is a free air waybill tracker supporting over 45 major airlines and cargo carriers. Unlike other sites that embed tracking data (which can be delayed or incomplete), we redirect you directly to each airline's official tracking portal, ensuring you get real-time, accurate information. Our platform is completely free, requires no registration, and automatically detects the carrier from your AWB number prefix.

To track an airway bill number (also called an AWB number or air waybill number), simply visit airwaybilltracker.com and enter your 11-digit AWB number in the search box. You can enter it with or without a dash (e.g., 020-58717481 or 02058717481). Our system automatically identifies the airline from the first three digits (the prefix) and redirects you to that carrier's official tracking portal. This ensures you get the most up-to-date tracking information directly from the source.

A standard IATA Air Waybill number is exactly 11 digits long. The format consists of a 3-digit airline prefix (identifying the carrier) followed by an 8-digit serial number (unique to your shipment). Some carriers like FedEx, DHL, and UPS use different formats (10-14 digits), which airwaybilltracker.com also supports.

Your AWB number (air waybill number) can be found on several documents: the original Air Waybill document (paper or electronic PDF), shipping confirmation emails from your freight forwarder or airline, commercial invoices, packing lists, or booking confirmations. The AWB number is typically displayed prominently at the top of these documents, often formatted as XXX-XXXXXXXX (3 digits, dash, 8 digits).

Yes! airwaybilltracker.com supports all major integrators including FedEx (prefix 023), UPS (prefix 406), and DHL (prefix 615). We also support their specialized tracking number formats. For example, you can track FedEx 12-digit or 14-digit tracking numbers, DHL 10-digit express tracking numbers, and UPS 1Z format tracking numbers. Simply enter the number in our tracker and we'll route you to the correct carrier portal.

There are several common reasons why an AWB tracking number might not show results: (1) The shipment hasn't been scanned yet - wait 24-48 hours after booking, (2) The AWB number was entered incorrectly - double-check all 11 digits, (3) The carrier prefix might be wrong - verify the first 3 digits match the airline, (4) The shipment is too old - some carriers only maintain tracking data for a limited time, (5) The AWB is a House AWB (HAWB) rather than a Master AWB (MAWB) - you need the MAWB to track directly with the airline. If issues persist, contact the airline's cargo customer service directly.

An AWB (Master Air Waybill or MAWB) is issued directly by the airline and covers the entire shipment from origin to destination. A HAWB (House Air Waybill) is issued by a freight forwarder when they consolidate multiple shipments. The HAWB is used for the forwarder's internal tracking, while the underlying MAWB is what the airline uses for transportation. To track with airwaybilltracker.com, you need the Master AWB number, not the House AWB. If you only have a HAWB, contact your freight forwarder to obtain the MAWB number.

Yes, airwaybilltracker.com is completely free to use. There are no registration requirements, no tracking limits, no hidden fees, and no premium subscriptions. Our mission is to make air waybill tracking accessible to shippers, receivers, and freight forwarders worldwide, regardless of shipment volume or frequency.

airwaybilltracker.com supports over 45 major airlines and cargo carriers worldwide, including: FedEx, DHL, UPS, Lufthansa Cargo, Air France-KLM, British Airways, IAG Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Qatar Airways, Etihad Cargo, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, ANA Cargo, Japan Airlines, Turkish Cargo, Swiss World Cargo, Cargolux, Atlas Air, Polar Air Cargo, and many more. See our complete list of supported airlines.

Unfortunately, you cannot track an air waybill without the AWB number. The AWB number is the unique identifier that airlines use to locate your shipment in their system. If you've lost your AWB number, try checking: email confirmations from your shipper or freight forwarder, commercial invoices, packing lists, booking confirmations, or contact your shipper/freight forwarder directly - they should have a record of the AWB number they issued.

While airwaybilltracker.com tracks one AWB at a time, we maintain a history of your last 5 tracked air waybills for quick access. Simply click on a recent AWB from the history section below the search box to quickly track it again. For tracking multiple AWBs simultaneously, you'll need to open multiple browser tabs, each tracking a different AWB number.

An air waybill (also written as "airwaybill," "air way bill," or "airway bill") is a legal document that serves three purposes: (1) It's a contract of carriage between the shipper and airline, (2) It's a receipt confirming the airline received the cargo, and (3) It contains handling and delivery instructions. Every air cargo shipment requires an air waybill, and the unique AWB number on it is used to track the shipment throughout its journey.

Most airlines scan and update their tracking systems within 24-48 hours after the shipment is booked or received at the origin airport. However, this can vary by carrier. Some airlines update tracking in real-time as the cargo moves through their network, while others batch update their systems. If your AWB doesn't show up after 48 hours, contact the airline's cargo customer service to verify the AWB number and shipment status.

This depends on the airline. Most carriers maintain tracking data for 90-180 days after delivery, but some may keep it longer. Very old AWBs (over 6 months) may no longer be accessible through online tracking portals. If you need to track an old air waybill, try entering it on airwaybilltracker.com - if the carrier still has the data, you'll be redirected to it. Otherwise, contact the airline's cargo customer service directly, as they may have archived records.

An IATA air waybill is a standardized air waybill format established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA air waybills follow a strict 11-digit numbering system where the first 3 digits are the IATA-assigned airline prefix, and the remaining 8 digits are the serial number. This standardization ensures that air waybills are recognized and accepted globally across all IATA member airlines. airwaybilltracker.com supports all IATA-standard air waybills.

We redirect you directly to the airline's official tracking portal to ensure you get the most accurate, real-time information. Third-party sites that embed tracking data often have delays, formatting issues, or missing information. By going directly to the carrier, you get: real-time updates (no aggregation delays), complete status history, access to official customer service links, delivery confirmations, customs clearance details, and the ability to download official tracking documents. This approach prioritizes accuracy and completeness over convenience.

The first three digits of your AWB number (the prefix) identify the airline. For example, 020 is Lufthansa Cargo, 125 is IAG Cargo/British Airways, and 157 is Qatar Airways. airwaybilltracker.com automatically detects the airline from the prefix when you enter your AWB number, and we'll show you the airline name before you track. You can also check our Supported Airlines page to see which prefix corresponds to which carrier.

Currently, airwaybilltracker.com is a web-based service designed for direct user tracking. We don't offer an API at this time. For programmatic tracking needs, you would need to integrate directly with each airline's API (if they offer one) or use a commercial cargo tracking API service. However, our web interface is optimized for quick, accurate tracking of individual air waybills.