Unit Load Devices

Large aircrafts such as the Boeing 747 employ quick-loading containers known as Unit Load Devices (ULDs), much like containerized cargo ships. The ULDs are located in front section of the aircraft.

A unit load device, or ULD, is a pallet or container used to load luggage, freight, and mail on wide-body aircraft and specific narrow-body aircraft. It allows a large quantity of cargo to be bundled into a single unit. Since this leads to fewer units to load, it saves ground crews time and effort and helps prevent delayed flights. Each ULD has its own packing list (or manifest) so that its contents can be tracked.

ULDs come in two forms – Pallets and Containers.

ULD pallets are rugged sheets of aluminium with rims designed to lock onto cargo net lugs. ULD containers, also known as cans and pods, are closed containers made of aluminium or combination of aluminium (frame) and Lexan (walls), which, depending on the nature of the goods to be transported, may have built-in refrigeration units. Examples of common ULDs and their specifics are listed below.

Unit Load ContainersInter-
changeability
Usable
Volume
Max. Net
weight
capacity
IATA
code
IATA
rate
class
Other Information
238.5 x 96 inch 20-ft pallet   Image 1374F main deck /
selected truck
routes
33 m3 /
1080 cu.
ft
10,910
kg/
24,052
lbs
PGA1/15Height may be 298 cm
(117″) for single pieces
only, due to lashing
equipment.
196 x 96 inch 16-ft pallet   Image 1474F main deck /
selected truck
routes
27 m3 /
953 cu. Ft
7,045 –
10,980
kg/
15,531 –
24,206
lbs
PZA1PHeight may be 294 cm
(116″) for single pieces
only, due to lashing
equipment. This pallet
can also be built in the
same way as the 20-
foot pallet.
96 x 125 inch 10-ft container   Image 1574F main deck /
selected truck
routes
16.7 m3 /
590 cu. ft
4,565 –
6,549 kg/
10,066 –
14,438
lbs
AQA
AMA
2/20Door opening
is
291 x 231 cm
or 114 x 91 “
96 x 125 inch pallet   96 x 125 inch pallet74F main deck /
selected truck
routes
74F / D1F lower
deck/ 743 / 767 /
777 / M 11 /
330 / 340 / truck
11,4 m3 /
403 cu. ft
4,516 –
6,694 kg/
9,958 –
14,760 lbs
P6P
PQP
PMC
PMP
2/2QMax. height: 160 cm /
63″
96 x 125 inch LD-9 container   LD-9 container74F / D1F / 743 /
767 / 777 / M 11
/ 330 / 340 /
truck
11.0 m3 /
388 cu. ft
6,564 kg/
14,586 lbs
AMP5 –
88 x 125 inch (LD-7) pallet   LD-7 pallet74F / D1F / 743 /
767 / 777 / M 11
/ 330 / 340 /
truck
10.5 m3 /
370 cu. ft
4,516 –
6,694 kg/
9,958 –
14,760 lbs
PAP
PAJ
PAP
P1P
5 –

Weights depend on the structural weight limitations of the different pallet /container positions in the aircraft. Container sizes may vary depending on Carrier equipment.

Types of Aircraft
Dimensions of Aircraft

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