Avinode Review: Aircraft Charter Marketplace

Avinode has become the definitive reference in the aircraft charter market as a B2B platform. Connecting brokers, operators, and clients worldwide, this Swedish marketplace has profoundly transformed how charter flights are negotiated and booked. This review analyzes its features, strengths, and limitations in detail, with particular focus on its usefulness for cargo freight.

Overview of Avinode

Avinode is a B2B technology platform founded in 2001 in Gothenburg, Sweden. It belongs to the Avinode Group (formerly Air Charter Service Technology), which also develops other tools for the air charter industry.

How the Platform Works

The Marketplace Principle

Avinode operates as a two-sided marketplace connecting two types of players:

• Seekers: brokers and corporate clients looking for an aircraft for a charter flight
• Providers: operators offering their aircraft and availability

When a broker enters a flight request (route, date, aircraft type), the platform displays available aircraft with indicative prices. The broker can then contact the operator directly to finalize terms.

Integrated Tools

• Aircraft search: filters by type, position, availability, capacity
• Quoting system: standardized quote sending and receiving
• Integrated CRM: client and request management
• Analytics: market data, pricing trends, positioning
• Schedaero: flight planning tool for operators
• Paynode: secure payment solution

Avinode and Cargo Freight

Available Cargo Features

Avinode allows searching for cargo aircraft and submitting freight charter requests. However, cargo features are historically less developed than the passenger side:

• Cargo aircraft search by payload capacity
• Filters by freight type (standard, oversized, dangerous goods)
• Connection with cargo operators

Cargo Limitations

Several aspects limit Avinode’s usefulness for cargo freight:

• Fewer cargo operators listed compared to passenger operators
• Quoting features less adapted to freight specifics (weight, dimensions, special conditions)
• No logistics management: handling, customs, ground transport are not integrated
• Historical passenger focus: the interface and workflows are optimized for private jet chartering

For specialized cargo freight, a dedicated broker like Private Jets Connect — with its own network of over 500 vetted cargo operators — offers an incomparably more complete and responsive service, including logistics management, customs and ground transport.

Strengths of Avinode

Largest Market Database

With 24,000 users and 3,500 companies across 100 countries, Avinode offers the largest database of aircraft and operators in the charter market. This critical mass allows quickly finding solutions on most routes.

Price Transparency

The platform provides standardized indicative prices, improving market transparency and enabling brokers to easily compare offers from multiple operators.

Operational Efficiency

For brokers, Avinode dramatically reduces search and quoting time. What used to take hours of phone calls can be accomplished in minutes through the platform.

Market Data

Avinode’s analytics tools provide valuable data on market trends, average prices per route, and pricing positioning, helping professionals make informed decisions.

Limitations of Avinode

Professional Access Only

Avinode is not accessible to the general public. Individuals and small businesses must use a broker such as Private Jets Connect to benefit from the aircraft listed on the platform — and access an even wider operator network.

High Subscription Cost

Annual subscription fees are significant (5,000 to 30,000 EUR depending on modules), making them accessible only to companies with sufficient business volume to justify the investment.

Indicative Prices, Not Final

Prices displayed on Avinode are estimates that can vary significantly upon confirmation. Actual prices depend on many factors (aircraft positioning, fuel, taxes) not always reflected in initial quotes.

Variable Operator Quality

While Avinode verifies its members, operator quality can vary. An experienced broker knows how to distinguish reliable operators from less serious ones, but a novice user might struggle.

Avinode vs a Specialized Cargo Broker

Who Is Avinode Best Suited For?

Avinode is particularly useful for:

• Professional brokers handling a high volume of charter requests
• Operators looking to market their fleet to a wide network
• Large corporations with an integrated travel department
• FBOs seeking to attract charter clients

When to Consider Alternatives

Other solutions may be more suitable if you:

• Are an individual or SME looking for a one-off cargo flight
• Need a complete cargo service including ground logistics
• Require maximum responsiveness for AOG emergencies
• Prefer personalized support with a dedicated contact

Private Jets Connect: A Strong Alternative

For anyone without Avinode access or whose cargo needs exceed the platform’s capabilities, Private Jets Connect is the ideal alternative:

• Open to all — No expensive B2B subscription required: SMEs, individuals and large corporations access the same quality service.
• Cargo specialist — Unlike Avinode, which historically centres on private passenger jets, PJC focuses all its expertise on air freight.
• Complete service — Integrated logistics management including handling, customs and ground transport, where Avinode only covers matchmaking.
• Network of 500+ cargo operators — A qualified, specialised network more extensive than the cargo operators listed on Avinode.
• Quotes in under 2 hours — A cargo expert analyses your needs and returns with compared options, where Avinode only provides indicative prices.
• Single 24/7 point of contact — Personalised human support from start to finish, without the complexity of a self-service platform.
• Zero subscription cost — Commission only on completed operations, without Avinode’s annual access fees of EUR 5,000 to 30,000.

Request a free quote from Private Jets Connect and instantly access cargo expertise that even Avinode cannot offer.