--- title: Flight Charge Meaning | Moving Glossary | O'Brien's url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/flight-charge/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - Flight charge # What is a flight charge? A flight charge is an additional charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs, in the words of FMCSA's booklet. It is charged on top of the linehaul, and it is one of the accessorial services the mover should settle before the bill of lading. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Stairs are physical work for a crew, especially with a refrigerator or a dresser full of books. The tariff recognizes that effort with a flight charge, which is why a two-story home can cost more to move than a ranch of the same size. ## How flights are counted Tariffs count a flight as a run of steps between floors. A second-floor bedroom reached from the street counts as one flight in many tariffs, and a basement can add another. The number of flights, and the charge per flight, appear on the itemized estimate. The count belongs to the estimate, not to a guess on moving day, because 49 CFR 375.401(f) expects accessorial charges to be determined before the bill of lading. ## Where flights hide Mention each of these during the walk-through, even if the rooms hold little. - Split-level and tri-level homes - Basements and finished lower levels - Walk-up apartments without elevators - Outdoor steps from a hillside driveway - Attics reached by narrow staircases ## Flights compared with other charges A flight charge covers vertical travel. A long carry covers horizontal walking distance between truck and door, and an elevator carry covers building lifts. Some tariffs add all three on one move, and each appears as its own line. That separation is helpful, because you can see which part of the access is costing you and ask whether it can change. A client who learns at the estimate that a basement adds a flight can decide to leave the workbench upstairs, or to plan the move of those boxes personally. ## What to have ready at the estimate Make a quick tour before the estimator arrives and count the stairs inside and outside the house. Note which rooms sit above or below the entry level, where the heaviest furniture lives, and whether any staircase turns sharply or is too narrow for a full-size sofa. Those details let the crew plan the order of the load and decide whether a heavy item should be lowered a different way, such as through a window, which is a separate conversation with the office. ## Stairs and O'Brien's estimates The O'Brien's estimator counts stairs room by room in the in-home estimate and records them on an itemized written estimate. Heavy pieces such as pianos are noted separately, since they need different equipment and a larger crew. If a household has an unusual staircase, tell the office when you call 775-359-6683, so the visit can allow time to measure it. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.401](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-D/section-375.401) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.505](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFR678dd6dec294449/section-375.505) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - [Accessorial charges](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/accessorial-charges/) - [Long carry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/long-carry/) - [Elevator carry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/elevator-carry/) Moving glossary ## Read next - [Origin agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/origin-agent/) - [Destination agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/destination-agent/) - [Booking agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/booking-agent/) - [Hauling agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/hauling-agent/) - [Van line](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/van-line/) - [Cube sheet](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/cube-sheet/) - [Delivery spread](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/delivery-spread/) - [Pickup spread](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/pickup-spread/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Is every step charged? The tariff defines a flight, so ask the estimator how it counts yours. ### Do I pay a flight charge at the destination too? Stairs at either address can be counted, because the crew carries goods at both ends. ### Can I reduce flight charges? Moving small items yourself or choosing ground-floor rooms for heavy furniture can help, but the estimator can advise on your layout. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) C Christy R. March 25, 2023 All of the above! Have used o'briens several times in the past and always had great timely service! ### Owner's reply Christy thank you so much, not just for the 5 star review but also for continuing to stay a O'Brien's Customer. We appreciate your repeat business and you know we love talking with you anytime! You know where to find us when you need us! J Jessica D. February 14, 2023 I have always had a really good experience with Obriens delivery service. I've been a girl scout volunteer for 6 years now and they are always very friendly and helpful. Thank you for all you do!! ### Owner's reply Jessica, thank you so much for the kind words. We love the Girl Scout cookie distribution time. It gives us the chance to interact with you ladies that are out there making a difference in our community every day! Thank you for everything you do. A Ami M. February 7, 2023 O'Brien's is great! They made my move easy. They were responsive, professional and accommodating. Trusting them with my move was one less thing I had to worry about. ### Owner's reply Ami thank you so much! It was a pleasure to assist you with your move and knowing that we were able to lessen any stress you may have had with the moving process, makes us so happy!! If you need anything in the future please let us know. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070