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.
| 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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
The LD-7 has a maximum volume of 14.0 m3 allowing for overhang.
It is suitable for all wide body aircraft.
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.
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
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
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
The 88-inch pallet has a maximum volume of 11.9 m3.
It is suitable for the following aircraft:
- DC-10
- B777
- B767
- B747
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The LD-29 has an internal volume of 14.2 m3. It is suitable for B747F aircraft.
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