UPS relaunches its second-day air morning service

Earlier this week, Atlanta-based global freight transportation and logistics services provider UPS said it is relaunching its second-day air morning service, with a guaranteed delivery of 10:30 A.M. in most locations.

UPS explained that through this service, its customers can reach more than 620,000 US businesses earlier than its leading competitors, with its guaranteed morning two-day delivery.  

“UPS is a “customer first” company—and we saw the need from customers for economical, guaranteed morning delivery,” a company spokesman told LM. “The guaranteed service will give businesses the reliability they need to succeed. For example, offices where production cycles [that] need to start earlier in the day or medical/dental offices that need materials for afternoon procedures.”  

Other advantages of the relaunch of the second-day air morning service by UPS, cited by the spokesperson include:

• being beneficial for receivers whose production and/or document processing cycles operate more efficiently when shipments are received earlier in the day;
• providing an elevated sense of urgency, with two-day time-in-transit adding a sense of urgency to packages and enables customers with centralized distribution systems to cost-effectively compete with their regional and local competitors; and
• superior performance year-round, UPS arriving on time more often than its competition

In October, UPS announced 2024 rate increases, which went into effect in late December.

“This helps to support ongoing expansion and capability enhancements as we strive to maintain the high service levels you receive from UPS, the company said at the time.

Effective December 26, rates for UPS Ground, UPS Air, and International services increased by an average net 5.9%, which are in line with FedEx’s planned 2024 rate increases. For air cargo, effective December 3, UPS Air Freight rates within and between the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico will increase by an average net 6.3%.  

The company’s fourth quarter earnings release is scheduled for January 30.