Unit load device

Air freight container type AKH

Air freight container in cross section of the fuselage of an Airbus A300 , exhibited in the Deutsches Museum in Munich

Unit Load Devices ( ULDs for short ) are pallets and containers that are used to load baggage, freight and mail onto wide-body and narrow-body aircraft . They allow large quantities of cargo to be bundled in large units.

Their use means fewer units need to be loaded and they save ground handling companies , time and effort.

Types

There are 2 forms of ULD:

ULD pallets are panels made of aluminum sheet with a substructure made of profiles, the edges of which are designed so that the eyelets of the freight nets can be snapped into them.
ULD containers are closed containers made of aluminum sheets with a profile frame or a combination of aluminum (frame) and plastic (walls). Depending on the type of goods they contain, these can also have built-in cooling units. In addition, these ULD containers are often equipped with eyelets on the inside, in order to be able to fix heavy freight items and shipments according to DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations).

Lufthansa Cargo also uses LD3 containers, which are made almost 100 percent of plastic and are therefore 14 kg lighter than the containers previously used.

Below are examples of common ULDs and their specifics.

Container	Internal volume (in m³)	Dimensions (in cm) base width / width × depth × height base / width × depth × height	Remarks
LD1	4.9	156BW / 234W × 153D × 163H	Especially for Boeing 747
LD2	3.4	120BW / 158W × 153D × 163H	beveled, half width
LD3	4.3	156BW / 201W × 153D × 163H	beveled, half width
LD6	8.8	318BW / 407W × 153D × 163H	beveled, full width, equivalent to 2 LD3s
LD7			beveled
LD8	6.9	244BW / 318W × 153D × 163H	beveled, full width, equivalent to 2 LD2s; DQF prefix
LD9			not beveled; rectangular
LD11	7.2	318W × 153D × 163H	same as LD6 but not beveled; rectangular
Pallets	Internal volume (in m³)	Dimensions (in cm) depth × (base) width	Remarks
LD8	6.9	153 × 244	same floor dimensions as the container variant; FQA prefix
LD11	7.2	153 × 318	same floor dimensions as container variant; FLA and PLA prefixes
LD7 (2 variants)	10.6 11.6	224 × 318 244 × 318	PAJ, PAG and P1P prefixes PMC prefix - 20 cm greater depth (depth, aircraft longitudinal)

Airplane Compatibility

Unloading the LD3 container from a Boeing 747 at Zagreb Airport

LD3, LD6 and LD11 are suitable for Boeing 787 , Boeing 777 , Boeing 747 , McDonnell Douglas MD-11 , Lockheed L-1011 and all Airbus wide-body aircraft. The Boeing 767 is loaded with LD2 and LD8 due to its narrow fuselage. The less common LD1s were specifically designed for the Boeing 747, but LD3s are more often used in their place because of their general availability (they have the same floor dimensions, so an LD3 takes up as much space as an LD1). LD3 containers with a reduced height (45 ″ instead of 64 ″) can also be used in the Airbus A320 family. LD7s are used for Boeing 787, 777, 747, later models of the 767 (with the large door) and all Airbus wide-body aircraft.

Exchanging certain ULDs between LD3 / 6/11 aircraft and LD2 / 8 aircraft is possible when the cargo needs to be quickly transferred to the next flight. The LD2 and LD8 can both be loaded onto the LD3 / 6/11 aircraft, but this results in a large loss of volume. Flying a ULD that is not intended for the aircraft type is also possible if you have the time, but no other ULDs are available.

It is also possible to load LD3 in the Ilyushin Il-86 and Ilyushin Il-96 .

ULDs were built for the Tupolev Tu-204 , which are based on the ULD of the AKH type for the Airbus 319-321.

ULD capacity

Aircraft loadings can consist of containers, pallets, or a mix of ULD types depending on simplicity. Below is a table with the maximum loading capacities of aircraft. The maximum payload depends on the type of aircraft and the configuration of the airline. So is z. B. The Q position in the main deck cannot be assigned on every jumbo freighter.

(The Russian productions are missing, such as the IL86 / 96 and TU204, for which there are also ULD versions.)

*A - Airbus; B - Boeing; L - Lockheed; MD - McDonnell-Douglas; F - freighter; ER - extended range; LR - long range*
plane	Max. Container capacity	Max. Pallet capacity	Remarks
A380-800F	59-71 LD3	?	Cargo plane, project discontinued - will never be produced.
A380-800	38 LD3	13 pallets
B747-400F / ERF	32 LD1 (lower deck) + 30 pallets (main deck)		Cargo plane, capacity includes all decks + 2 small pallets in the main deck
B747-400ER	28 LD1	4 pallets + 14 LD1
B747-400 / 300/200/100	30 LD1	5 pallets + 14 LD1
B747-8I	38 LD1	7 pallets + 16 LD1
B747-8F	40 LD1 (lower deck) + 34 pallets (main deck)	46 pallets + 2 LD1
B777F	30 LD3 + 27 pallets	37 pallets	Cargo plane, capacity includes all decks
B777-300 / 300ER	44 LD3	8 pallets + 20 LD3
B777-200 / 200LR / ER	32 LD3	6 pallets + 14 LD3
A350-1000 XWB	44 LD3	14 pallets
A350-900 XWB	36 LD3	11 pallets
A350-800 XWB	28 LD3	9 pallets
A340-600	42 LD3	14 pallets
A340-500	30 LD3	10 pallets
A340-300	32 LD3	11 pallets
A340-200	26 LD3	9 pallets
MD-11	28-32 LD3	4–6 pallets
MD-11 F	32 LD3 + 26 pallets
L-1011-500	19 LD3	?
L-1011	16 LD3	?	all series except 500 (250/200/150/100/50/1 series)
B787-9	26 LD3	6 pallets + 8 LD3
B787-8 / -3	20 LD3	5 pallets + 5 LD3
A330-300	32 LD3	11 pallets
A330-200	26 LD3	8 pallets + 2 LD3
A330-200F	26 LD3 (lower deck) + 22 pallets (upper deck)	18 pallets P6P + 4 pallets P1P	Cargo plane, capacity includes all decks (standard configuration)
A321	10 LD3-45W	k. A.	Container version (optional) AKH; Standard version: Bulk
A320	7 LD3-45W	k. A.	Container version (optional) AKH; Standard version: Bulk
A319	5 LD3-45W	k. A.	Container version (optional) AKH; Standard version: Bulk
B767-400ER	38 LD2	5 pallets + 18 LD2
B767-300F	30 LD2 (lower deck) + 24 pallets * (main deck)		* only takes 88 ″ × 125 ″ pallets; Cargo plane
B767-300ER	30 LD2	4 pallets + 14 LD2
B767-300	30 LD2	no
B767-200	22 LD2	no
A300-600	22 LD3	4 pallets + 10 LD3
A300-600F	22 (23) LD3 + max. 21 pallets		Cargo plane, capacity includes all decks (standard configuration)
A300B2 / B4	20 LD3	?
A310	14 LD3	3 pallets
B727-200F	no	12 pallets *	* only 88 ″ × 125 ″ pallets; the Boeing 727 is a narrow-body aircraft
B727-200C (station wagon)	no	Max. 11 pallets *	* only 88 ″ × 125 ″ pallets if no passengers can on board; the Boeing 727 is a narrow-body aircraft

ID

All ULDs can be identified by a unique ULD number. This consists of a three-letter prefix to identify the type, followed by a 4 or 5-digit serial number and a suffix to identify the owner.

position	1	2	3	4… 7	8… 10
character	Letter	Letter	Letter	numbers	Letters
description	Type of loading unit	Dimensions of floor space in inches	Contour, compatibility	serial number	owner

Examples:
AAK 2418 LH	A.	A.	K	2418	LH
AAK 2418 LH	Container	88 in × 125 in	K-contour (igloo; LD7)	Serial number 2418	Lufthansa
AKN 12345 DL	A.	K	N	12345	DL
AKN 12345 DL	Container	60.4 in × 61.5 in	LDS container with fixed door / VAL	Serial number 12345	Delta Airlines
AKH 057 GWI (picture above)	A.	K	H	057	GWI
AKH 057 GWI (picture above)	Container	60.4 in × 45 in	LD3-45 container	Serial number 057	Germanwings

Common prefixes

IATA ID Code Reference List	Type of unit	Basic dimensions in inches	Empty weight [kg]	Perm. Total weight [kg]	Remarks
AAA	Container	88 in × 125 in	0232	0.6033	A300, B727, B737, B747, B757, B767, B777, DC-8
AAC	Container	88 in × 125 in	0220	0.6033	B727, B747, B757, B767, B777, A300, DC-8
AAJ	Container	88 in × 125 in	0251	0.6033	A300, DC-8, DC-10, L-188
AAK	Igloo unit	88 in × 125 in	0200/ 0225	0.4625/ 0.6033
AAN	QC container	88 in × 125 in	0243	0.3000
AAX	Container	88 in × 125 in	0270	0.6033	A300, B747, B767, B777
AAY	EURO container	88 in × 125 in	0250	0.3629	Name for US
ABU	Container	88 in × 108 in	0198	0.2223	AN26, ATR72, B727, B757, DC-8, L-188
AGA	20ft container	96 in × 238.5 in	1500	11,340
LFS	LD 3 container	60.4 in × 61.5 in	0080	0.1588
AKH	LD 3-45 container	60.4 in × 45 in	0080	0.1134
AKN	LDS container with fixed door / VAL	60.4 in × 61.5 in	0080	0.1588
Nuclear power plant	LD 3-45 container for valuable freight	60.4 in × 45 in	0100	0.1134
ALF	LD6 without forklift guidance	60.4 in × 123.0 in	0096
AMA7	10 'container with flexible door	96 in × 125 in	0255	0.6804
AMA8	10 'container with fixed door	96 in × 125 in	0325/ 0410	0.6804
AMF	AMF container	96 in × 125 in	0375	0.5504
AMG	10 'container with flexible door / GOH	96 in × 125 in	0316	0.6804
AMJ	Container	96 in × 125 in	0307	0.6804	B767, B777, B747, A300
AMP	Clothes container	96 in × 125 in	0305	0.6804	up to 2000 additional load on top
AQ67	10 'container with flexible door	96 in × 125 in	0255	0.6804
AQA7	10 'container with flexible door	96 in × 125 in	0255	0.6804
AQA3	10 'container with fixed door	96 in × 125 in	0325	0.6804
ASE	20 'container	96 in × 238.5 in	1000	11,340
AVA	LD3 clothes / valuables container	60.4 in × 61.5 in	0080	0.1588
AVE	LD3 container	60.4 in × 61.5 in	0080	0.1588
AXY	Container	60.4 in × 108 in	0140	0.1043	B757SF only
DPE	LD2 catering container (CFG)	47 in × 60.4 in	0071	0.1225
DQF	LD8 container (CFG)	60.4 in × 96 in	0128	0.2342	only B767
HMA	Horse stable for 3 horses	96 in × 125 in	1030	0.3280
HMJ	Horse stable for 3 horses	96 in × 125 in	0805	0.3000	B747, B777, MD11
HYJ	Horse stable for 3 horses	88 in and 96 in pallet	0420
HYJ	Horse stable for 3 horses	88 in × 125 in	0510
JAN	Cooling igloo	88 in × 125 in	0545	0.5300
NGE	Pallet net for PGE / P7E		0025th
NKA	Pallet network for PKC		0005
NLA	Pallet net for PLA / PLW		0010
NME	Pallet network for P1P / PAG / PAJ / PAW / PAX / P6P / PMC / PMW / PQP		0015th
NYB	Pallet network for PYB		0010
P1P	palette	88 in × 125 in	0120	0.6804
P6P	palette	96 in × 125 in	0130	0.6804
P7E	20 'pallet	96 in × 238.5 in	0500	11,340
PAG	palette	88 in × 125 in	0120	0.6804
PAJ	palette	88 in × 125 in	0120	0.6804
PAS	Heavy duty pallet	88 in × 125 in	0250	0.6804/ 0.9072
PAW	Pallet with side extension	88 in × 125 in	0167	0.6804	only lower deck
PAX	palette	88 in × 108/125 in	0100	0.6804
PEA	Half pallet	53 in × 88 in	0056	0.1136
PGA	20 'pallet	96 in × 238 in	0500	13,608
PGE	20 'pallet	96 in × 238 in	0500	11,340
PKC	Pallet with side extension	60.4 in × 61 in	0080	0.1134/ 0.1588
PLA	Pallet without page expansion	60.4 in × 125 in	0144	0.3175
PLW	Pallet with side extension	60.4 in × 125 in	0144	0.3175	only lower deck
PMC	palette	96 in × 125 in	0130	0.6804
PMS	Heavy duty pallet	96 in × 125 in	0148	0.6804/ 0.9072
PMW	Pallet w. Page expansion	96 in × 125 in	0152	0.6804	only lower deck
PQP	palette	96 in × 125 in	0100	0.6804
PYB	Q pallet	55 in × 96 in	0070	0.1814	B747
PZA	16 'pallet	96 in × 196 in	0400	0.9300
RA4	Cooling igloo	88 in × 125 in	0450	0.6033
RKN	Cooling LD3	60.4 in × 61.5 in	0444	0.1588	autonomous cooling, accessible for forklifts
VRA	Car transport frame only for PZA pallets		0130 / pair	0.2500 / pair
VZA	Car transport platform	3.35 mx 2.05 m	0190	0.2500
XYW	Valuable freight box	2.00 m × 1.35 m × 1.38 m	0090	0.1500

Web links

Commons : Unit Load Devices - collection of images, videos and audio files

Overview of different pallets and containers (English)
Guide to Air Freight Containers (English)
ULD overview (partially outlined) from Emirates / SkyCargo (English)
Research project on an optimized aircraft loading system
Fleet and loading equipment brochure “Pallets, Containers and Fleet”. (PDF; 5140 kB) Lufthansa Cargo , accessed on April 9, 2016 .

Individual evidence

↑ Lufthansa Cargo on the move with lighter containers - Europe's leading freight airline is further reducing fuel consumption and emissions ( Memento of May 21, 2014 in the Internet Archive ), Lufthansa Cargo on the move with lighter containers. Memento May 21, 2014, lufthansa-cargo.com. accessed November 1, 2015.

[LH-1] Lufthansa Cargo on the move with lighter containers - Europe's leading freight airline is further reducing fuel consumption and emissions ( Memento of May 21, 2014 in the Internet Archive ), Lufthansa Cargo on the move with lighter containers. Memento May 21, 2014, lufthansa-cargo.com. accessed November 1, 2015.