What do shipping documents for airplanes refer to as?

Shipping documents for airplanes are referred to as an airbill. An airbill serves as a contract between the shipper and the carrier, detailing the terms of transportation for the shipment. It contains critical information including the destination, shipping instructions, and the parties involved, making it essential for tracking and managing air freight.

In this context, an airbill is specifically designed for air transport, distinguishing it from other shipping documents like a waybill or a bill of lading, which are commonly used in other modes of transportation such as trucking or shipping by sea. The cargo manifest, while also relevant in logistics, is a document listing all the cargo on a particular transport vehicle but is not the specific document that outlines the terms for air shipment as an airbill does. Understanding the nature and function of the airbill is crucial for anyone involved in air cargo operations, as it streamlines the process of shipping and provides necessary information for customs and logistics.