Air freight container sizes guide

There are 21 different air freight container sizes used to ship over 188,000 million tonnes of air freight annually. As aircraft holds vary greatly in size and shape (small and thin to large and wide), air freight containers come in an interesting range of shapes.

Note: the formal name for an air freight container is a unit load device (ULD). Use the following list as an effective guide to the most common 21 air freight container sizes:

A and M series

LD series

*insulated

Pallet series

Most common air freight container sizes

Table of the most common air freight container sizes

We have included a summary of the most common air freight container sizes in a table along with internal volume and what aircraft they are suitable for.

Please note that air freight container sizes with their exact dimensions and capacity will vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer.

If you have any questions regarding the specifics of air freight container sizes, please do not hesitate to send us a message or give us a call on 1300651233. We are happy to help.

Air freight container sizes guide for Australia

Description Volume Payload Tare Length Width Height
LD9 Full size lower deck container 10.6 m3 4898 kg 200 kg 3.18 m 2.24 m 1.63 m
LD8 Full width lower deck container 6.9 m3 2282 kg 168 kg 3.15 m 1.53 m 1.63 m
LD3 Half size lower deck container 4.1 m3 1526 kg 62 kg 1.98 m 1.53 m 1.63 m
LD3 Lower deck container 3.7 m3 1045 kg 90 kg 2.42 m 1.53 m 1.14 m
LD7-96 Lower deck pallet & net 11.7 m3 5098 kg 120 kg 3.07 m 2.34 m 1.6 m
LD7-88 Lower deck pallet & net 10.8 m3 4490 kg 110 kg 3.07 m 2.08 m 1.6 m
LD3-45 Wing pallet & net 3.7 m3 1061 kg 74 kg 2.42 m 1.53 m 1.14 m

 

Air freight container sizes and types

Sourced from IATA and ATA

This guide will provide an accurate set dimensions for these air freight container sizes.

The information below for the different types of air freight container sizes is based on the publications of International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Air Transport Association of America (ATA).

Please note that the exact size and holding capacity of air freight containers can vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Air freight container sizes guide for Australia

LD-1
AKC contoured container

This container used in the lower decks and has an internal volume of 4.8 m3. This container is also known by the terms AVJ, AVK, AVD and AVC.

It is suitable for the following aircraft:

  • MD-11
  • B777
  • B767
  • B747

LD-1 (AKC Contoured Container) - air freight container sizes

LD-2
DPE contoured container

This container is also known by the terms DPA or APA and has an internal volume of 3.4 m3.

It is suitable for the B767 aircraft.

LD-2 (DPE Contoured Container) - air freight container sizes

LD-3
AKE contoured container

This container is also known by the terms XKG, XKS, DVP, DVE, DVA, AVK, AVC, AVB, AVA, AKE and has an internal volume of 4.3 m3.

It is suitable for the following aircraft:

  • L1011
  • MD-11
  • DC-10
  • B777
  • B767
  • B747
  • A340
  • A330
  • A310
  • A300

LD-3 (AKE Contoured Container) - air freight container sizes

Insulated LD-3
RKN

This container is insulated to protect your goods from temperature fluctuations.

It has an internal volume of 3.0 m3 and is suitable for the following aircraft:

  • L1011
  • MD-11
  • DC-10
  • B777
  • B767
  • B747
  • A340
  • A330
  • A310
  • A300

Insulated LD-3 (RKN) - air freight container sizes

LD-4
ALP rectangular container

This container is also known by the terms DLP, AWZ, AWD and ALD. It has an internal volume of 5.7 m3.

It is suitable for the B767 and B777 aircraft.

LD-4 ALP Rectangular Container - air freight container sizes

LD-6
ALF contoured container

The LD-6 has an internal volume of 8.9 m3. It is also known by the terms AWF and AWD.

It is suitable for the following aircraft:

  • L1011
  • MD-11
  • DC-10
  • B777
  • B747
  • A340
  • A330
  • A310
  • A300

LD-6 (ALF Contoured Container) - Internal volume 8.9 m3

LD-7
XAW P1P pallet

(fixed angle wings & net)

The LD-7 has a maximum volume of 14.0 m3 allowing for overhang.

It is suitable for all wide body aircraft.

LD-7 (XAW P1P Pallet with Fixed Angle Wings and Net) - Max

LD-8
DQF

The LD-8 has an internal volume of 6.85 m3. It is also known by the terms:

  • MQP
  • DQP
  • DLF
  • DLE
  • ALN
  • ALE

It is suitable for the B767 aircraft.

LD-8 (DQF) - Internal volume 6.85 m3

LD-9
AAP enclosed pallet

P1P base

The LD-9 has an internal volume of 9.1 m3. It is also known by the terms XAV, XAG and AA2.

It is suitable for the following aircraft:

  • L1011
  • MD-11
  • DC-10
  • B747
  • A340
  • A310
  • A300

LD-9 (AAP Enclosed Pallet on P1p Base) - Internal volume 9.1 m3

LD-11
ALP rectangular container

The LD-11 has an internal volume of 7.2 m3. It is also known by the terms:

  • MWB
  • DWB
  • DLP
  • AWZ
  • AWD
  • AWB
  • AW2
  • ALD

It is suitable for the following aircraft:

  • L1011
  • MD-11
  • DC-10
  • B777
  • B747
  • A340
  • A310
  • A300

LD-11 (ALP Rectangular Container) - Internal volume 7.2 m3

A-2
DAA

The A-2 container has an internal volume of 12.6 m3.

It is suitable for the following aircraft:

  • Faircraft
  • DC10
  • DC8
  • B747
  • B747F
  • A300

A-2 (DAA) - Internal volume 12.6 m3

88-inch pallet
P1P

The 88-inch pallet has a maximum volume of 11.9 m3.

It is suitable for the following aircraft:

  • DC-10
  • B777
  • B767
  • B747

88” Pallet (P1P) - Maximum volume 11.9 m3

96-inch pallet
P6P 10ft pallet with net

The 96-inch pallet has a maximum volume of 21.2 m3. It is also known by the following terms:

  • PQP
  • PMP
  • PMC
  • PMA
  • P6Q
  • P6C
  • P6A

It is suitable for the following aircraft:

  • L1011
  • MD-11
  • DC-10
  • B777
  • B767
  • B747
  • A340
  • A330
  • A310
  • A300

96” Pallet (P6P 10ft Pallet with Net) - air freight container sizes

Half pallet
PLA half pallet with net

The half pallet has a maximum volume of 7.2 m3. It is also known by the terms:

  • P9S
  • P9R
  • P9P
  • P9B
  • P9A
  • PLB
  • FLA

Its design provides flexibility allowing for storage on the lower deck of B777 and B747 aircraft as well as on the main deck of B737F, B727F and B707F aircraft.

Half Pallet (PLA Half Pallet with Net) - air freight container sizes

16-foot pallet
PRA 16ft flat pallet with net

The 16-foot pallet has a maximum volume of 26.8 m3. It is also known by the terms:

  • PZA
  • P4M
  • P4A
  • PMA

It is suitable for B747 and B747 Combi aircraft.

16ft Pallet (PRA 16ft Flat Pallet with Net) - air freight container sizes

20-foot pallet
PGA 20ft flat pallet with net

The 20-foot pallet has a maximum volume of 33.2 m3. It is known also as:

  • P7G
  • P7F
  • P7E
  • P7A
  • PSG
  • PSA
  • PGF
  • PGE
  • PGA

It is suitable for B747 and B747 Combi aircraft.

 20ft Pallet (PGA 20ft Flat Pallet with Net) - air freight container sizes

AQ6
AMA rectangular container

The AQ6 has a maximum volume of 7.2 m3. It is also known by the terms:

  • AMP
  • AMK
  • AMG
  • AMF

It is suitable for B747F and B747 Combi aircraft.

AQ6 (AMA Rectangular Container) - air freight container sizes

AQ7
AMD contoured container on P6P base

The AQ7 has an internal volume of 19.9 m3. It is also known by the terms AQ7 and AQA.

It is suitable for B747F and B747 Combi aircraft.

AQ7 (AMD Contoured Container on P6P Base) - air freight container sizes

M-6
AGA 20ft box container

The M-6 has an internal volume of 33.0 m3. It is also known by the term ASE.

It is suitable for B747F and B747 Combi aircraft.

M-6 (AGA 20ft Box Container) - air freight container sizes

LD-26
AAF

The LD-26 is suitable for DC-10, B777 and B747 aircraft.

LD-26 (AAF) - Air freight container sizes

LD-29
AAU contoured container on P1P base

The LD-29 has an internal volume of 14.2 m3. It is suitable for B747F aircraft.

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LD-29 (AAU Contoured Container on P1P Base) -Air freight container sizes