How Flexport Uses Human-in-the-Loop AI to Improve Airfreight Reliability

Human-in-the-loop AI: the new operational backbone

This piece reveals how integrating humano en el bucle AI is changing airfreight reliability and what that means for logistics operations moving forward.

Why the conversation shifted from “if” to “how”

Operational teams in airfreight have long been slowed by the same culprits: terminal calls, milestone updates, exceptions, and mountains of paperwork. The real question today is not whether to add AI, but how to automate the repetitive chores while keeping human judgment where it counts. Flexport’s approach—keeping humans in the loop—illustrates a practical middle path: automation for rote work, humans for nuance and exceptions.

What Flexport built in 2025

During 2025, Flexport rolled out a substantial set of tools designed to speed decision-making and reduce friction across freight flows. The core thrust was to augment operators, not replace them, so teams could focus on problem-solving and exception management.

• Customs Technology Suite including the Flexport Tariff Simulator for real-time landed cost calculation.
• Rate Explorer to deliver instant pricing and booking across transportation modes.
• Agent-based automation for terminal calls, pickup booking, and anomaly detection.
• Tools to accelerate e-commerce fulfilment and supply chain optimisation.

Practical outcomes

These developments produced measurable results: faster quotes and bookings, better compliance checks, and reduced complexity—especially during volatile periods. Clients reported fewer missed pickups and more predictable transit timelines. As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding: automation delivered speed and reliability while human oversight preserved judgement.

How the human-in-the-loop model works in operations

At the heart of the model is a clear division of labour. AI agents handle low-context, repeatable tasks while humans manage complex decisions.

Why integrated architecture matters

Flexport argues its edge comes from a unified infrastructure rather than stitching modern layers over legacy cores. That architectural choice enables faster iteration, tighter automation, and more powerful decisioning—because when systems are tightly integrated, automated decisions can be trusted to scale. In short, you can’t automate well if the wiring is a patchwork.

From visibility to execution

Visibility tools like the Control Tower remain valuable, but clients increasingly demand tools that directly reduce costs and improve delivery reliability. The focus shifted to:

1. Customs efficiency—faster, compliant entries and savings on duties.
2. Supply chain optimisation—reducing total cost to serve across routes and modes.
3. Faster fulfilment—one-to-two day delivery targets for e-commerce flows.

AI is not only producing analytics; it’s now executing tasks that were once purely operational. That’s when the rubber meets the road: automation moves from dashboards to doing the heavy lifting.

Agent-based work: the unsung hero

Agent-based tools are simple in concept but powerful in practice: software that imitates routine human tasks—calling terminals, flagging events, suggesting routing—so human teams can redirect their energy to negotiation, exception handling, and creative solutions. The result is less firefighting and more strategic work.

Looking into 2026 — what to expect

Expect the relationship between humans and AI to keep evolving. Routine clerical work will increasingly be automated or handled by AI agents, yet the need for skilled operators won’t vanish. Instead, roles will shift toward oversight, complexity management, and customer-facing problem resolution. In other words, headcount may not shrink; job descriptions will change.

Implications for logistics providers

For freight forwarders, carriers, and third-party logistics providers, this evolution means investing not only in models and automation but also in training and orchestration capabilities. The winners will be organisations that can deploy fast, iterate on features, and maintain tight integration across systems—because those elements together drive real savings and improve delivery performance.

Key takeaways and operational highlights

Highlights include the shift from visibility to execution, aggressive use of agent-based automation, and a clear focus on customs and fulfilment as levers for cost and speed. Even the best reviews and most honest feedback can’t replace getting hands-on with these tools yourself. On GetTransport.com, you can order your cargo transportation at the best prices globally at reasonable prices, ensuring you test services without overspending and make an informed decision; Start planning your next delivery and secure your cargo with GetTransport.com.com

Wrapping up: human-in-the-loop AI is reshaping the way airfreight is executed—automating low-context tasks like data entry, milestone updates, and terminal calls while preserving human judgement for exceptions and complex decisions. The combination drives faster quotes, fewer missed pickups, better customs compliance, and improved fulfilment for e-commerce. For logistics teams, the lesson is to invest in integrated systems, agent automation, and training so technology and people can play to their strengths.

In short, this approach reduces friction across cargo, freight, and shipment lifecycles—from booking and dispatch to pallet handling and container movements—while improving delivery reliability and reducing total shipping costs. GetTransport.com complements this shift by providing an efficient, cost-effective way to arrange transport and moving services, whether for parcels, bulky goods, vehicle relocation, or international container shipping, making forwarding and haulage simpler and more reliable for customers worldwide.