A Ford Maverick pickup truck is not a straightforward load for a Boeing 737-200, yet Buffalo Airways, a family-owned airline based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, has found a way. The carrier frequently moves vehicles to isolated Arctic communities, where overland routes are impractical and shipping alternatives are limited.
The Maverick’s dimensions create the primary difficulty. Unlike smaller vehicles, its length prevents it from fitting on the standard cargo pallet used in the 737. The plane’s overhead compartments further restrict width, requiring modifications. For the Maverick, Buffalo Airways removes the side splash guards to clear the necessary space. Mikey McBryan, general manager of Buffalo Airways, said, “A Maverick is longer, so it does not fit on the cookie sheet (a flat metal cargo pallet).”
The limiting factor is cargo volume, not weight. The 737’s payload capacity reaches 40,000 pounds, enough to carry roughly 10 Mavericks if space were not an issue. In practice, the aircraft can transport only four at once. Once loaded, each vehicle rests on a slave deck—a flat, roller-equipped platform that simplifies ground handling. A front-end loader then lifts the deck for loading.
Pricing depends on the vehicle type. A standard car transport costs about $10,500 USD ($15,000 CAD), while small trucks incur an additional $1,400 USD ($2,000 CAD). Customers may arrange the service independently or have dealers include it in financing packages.
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Buffalo Airways has previously shipped Ford Bronco Sports using this method, but the Maverick’s size tested the limits of the approach. The airline is now evaluating whether a Ford Ranger, which is three inches wider and 10 inches longer, can also be accommodated. If successful, the technique could extend to other compact trucks, though the tight fit remains a challenge.
For buyers in Canada’s remote regions, air freight often becomes the sole viable option when roads or sea routes are unavailable.
In the Arctic, where infrastructure is minimal, such workarounds are critical. The Maverick’s transport illustrates that with targeted adjustments, removing guards, optimizing pallet use, unconventional cargo can still reach its destination.
