SEATTLE -- March 18, 1998
The Business Consumer Guide has recommended Airborne Express for overnight and next afternoon shipment of letters and small packages anywhere in the U.S. for the fourth year in a row.

The independent study of all major shippers was conducted by the Beacon Research Group, Inc., of Watertown, Massachusetts - an organization established to provide business decision makers with credible information and advice on goods, services, and operations. Results are published in the Business Consumer Guide, which ensures accuracy and avoids bias with its strict policy against accepting advertising, free products or services.

"We’re certainly pleased to receive this recommendation for the fourth year in a row," said Airborne executive vice president Kent Freudenberger. "But even more important to us in 1998 is that Airborne emerges as the top choice across an even broader range of shipping needs." In its latest study, the Guide recommends Airborne for a wide range of shipping options, including next morning delivery of letters and packages weighing up to one pound traveling anywhere within the continental U.S. For the first time, Airborne is recommended for overnight delivery of packages weighing up to six pounds and traveling farther than 300 miles.

"As the distance increases," said Freudenberger, "Airborne becomes an even better value, as we are the only major carrier to maintain a flat-rate pricing structure."

If a shipment doesn't need to arrive until the next afternoon, Airborne is cited in the Guide as the best choice for lightweight shipments over 300 miles. For 2nd-day delivery, Airborne also is recommended for long-distance (over 1,400 miles) shipments weighing up to 66 pounds.

"Our evaluations identify the best values for businesses," said Mie-Yun Lee, editor, Business Consumer Guide. "Airborne excels in the overnight letter and small package segments, which is what most businesses ship today."

The Guide specifically cites Airborne's Flight Ready pre-paid shipping envelopes as a cost-effective way to handle overnight shipments. Flight Ready envelopes have no weight limit, may be purchased in bulk, and used at any time.

Free reprints of the Business Consumer Guide overnight delivery report are available by writing to Reis Endicott Peterson, Inc., 200 West Harrison Street, Suite 110, Seattle, WA 98119, or by emailing your request to [email protected]

For more than 50 years, Airborne Express has served shipping needs of business customers around the world. Today, Airborne offers total distribution solutions by providing time-sensitive delivery of documents, letters, small packages, and freight to virtually every U.S. ZIP code and more than 200 countries. Customers can select from a variety of services including same-day, next-morning, next-afternoon or second-day delivery, ocean service, and logistics management.