Shippers can save money and minimize cargo loss by containerizing their air cargo shipments. Airlines encourage the use of containers by providing special tariffs for containerized freight-all-kinds (FAK) shipments on many routes.
Air carriers prefer containerized shipments for a number of reasons:
Reduces the number of individual pieces of cargo which must be handled in terminals.
Provides for cost-efficient use of cube capacity of aircraft.
Permits use of mechanical handling systems and equipment to best advantage.
Speeds loading and unloading of aircraft.
Minimizes exposure of cargo to weather, theft, pilferage and handling damage while in the custody of the carrier.
AIR CARGO CONTAINERS FALL INTO THREE BASIC CATEGORIES:
1. Air Cargo Pallets - Designed for use with conveyor systems in terminals and in aircraft, the low-profile flat pallet is equipped with fittings for securing the pallet firmly to the aircraft deck
Cargo is normally secured to the pallet by nets, tightened over cargo by application of tensioned straps.
Pallets are often covered with contoured semi-structural covers called "igloos," "hulahuts," or "cocoons" to provide protection and keep cargo within safe dimensions for loading in aircraft. Igloos may be attached to the pallet by cargo nets that are placed over the exterior, or the igloo may be permanently attached to the pallet.
Common sizes and capacities of pallets are listed in the table. Dimensions and cubes will vary slightly.
Type
H
L
W
Cu. Ft.
Use
Full Pallet
(Net or igloo)
68"
125"
86"
420
Freighter/aircraft
Full Pallet
(Net or igloo)
88"
100"
86"
360
Freight/Passenger
Full Pallet
(Net or igloo)
88"
125"
64"
350
Boeing 747 Lower Deck
Full Pallet
(Net of igloo)
88"
61"
86"
200
Multiple
Half Pallet
(Net or igloo)
88"
53"
76"
160
Multiple
2. Lower Deck Containers - Developed by use in the lower deck cargo spaces of high-capacity aircraft. They are fully structured and completely enclosed.
Cargo is loaded into the container which may be equipped with shelves for accommodation of small of irregularly shaped cargo.
The container doors, metal or fabric (or a combination), are closed, sealed and locked.
Containers are locked directly into the aircraft restraint systems without need for nets or tiedowns.
Note: Door opening dimensions and gross, tare and payload weights of LD-3 containers will vary according to models used by various airlines.
Type
H
L
W
Cu. Ft.
Use
LD-1
64"
92"
60.4"
171
Boeing 747 only
LD-2
64"
79"
60.4"
158
Boeing 747, Lockheed 1011, DC-10
3. "Box-type containers" - Developed in standard sized to facilitate establishment of uniform shipping rates, they are used to consolidate shipments.
Available from various manufacturers, they may be purchased by the shipped or used by freight forwarders to consolidate the shipper's cargo into one easily handled and rated unit.
Constructed of wood, plastic, plywood, fiberboard, metal or combinations of these materials, all must conform to the basic standards prescribed by the Air Transportation Association (ATA) for domestic use or the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) for international shipments.
Contoured "Boxes" - (igloo configuration) are handled and loaded aboard aircraft in the same manner as pallet-igloo combinations.
Square-sided box-type containers are normally loaded on pallet-igloo combinations by the carrier for stowage aboard the aircraft.
The following table lists standard IATA containers. Minor variations in internal dimensions and cube will occur due to the differences in construction techniques and materials used. All dimensions are in inches.
* Contoured
IATA STD
L
H
W
Cu. ft.
1*
84
76/66/45
102
358
2*
84
76/45
119
404
3
8
45
102
223
4
84
45
119
260
5*
84
76/45
58
198
6*
84
76/66
42
154
7
84
45
58
127
8
84
45
39
88
9
58
45
41
63
10
41
58
50
70
11
84
70
52
177
12
42
70
52
88
13
42
45
52
57
14
42
35
52
44
15
42
45
40
44
16
42
45
29
33
17
42
26
29
18
Certain commodities are excluded from air cargo "FAK" rates. Consult your carrier or forwarder for specifics on excluded items and on articles prohibited by IATA "Restricted Articles Regulations."
Main Deck Pallet (Equivalent to IATA Type 2)
External Displacement: 606 cu ft/17.16 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight: 15,000 lb/6,804 kg
Maximum External Dimensions: (L x W x H) Contoured
125" x 96" x 96" / 317cm x 244cm x 244cm
LD-7 (Equivalent to IATA Type 5)
External Displacement: 379.9 cu ft/10 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight: 10,200 lb/4,627 kg
Maximum External Dimensions: (L x W x H) Contoured
125" x 88" x 63" / 317 cm x 223 cm x 160 cm
P9A Lower Deck Pallet (Equivalent to IATA Type 6)
External Displacement: 242 cu ft/6.9 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight: 7,000 lb/3,175 kg
Maximum External Dimensions: (L x W x H) Contoured
125" x 60" x 63" / 317 cm x 152 cm x 160 cm
LD-11 (Equivalent to IATA Type 6)
Internal Capacity: 242 cu ft/6.9 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight: 7,000 lbs/3,176 kg
Maximum External Dimensions: (L x W x H) Contoured
125" x 60" x 64" / 317 cm x 162 cm x 162 cm
LD-8 (Equivalent to IATA Type 6A)
Internal Capacity: 243 cu ft/6.9 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight: 5,400 lb/2,450 kg
Maximum External Dimensions: (L x W x H) Contoured
96" x 60" x 64" / 228 cm x 152 cm x 162 cm
LD-4 (Equivalent to IATA Type 7A)
Internal Capacity: 174 cu ft/5 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight: 5,400 lb/2,450 kg
Maximum External Dimensions: (L x W x H) Contoured
96" x 60" x 64" / 228 cm x 152 cm x 162 cm
LD-3 (Equivalent to IATA Type 8)
Internal Capacity: 150 cu ft/4 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight: 3,500 lb/1,588 kg
Maximum External Dimensions: (L x W x H) Contoured
61" x 60" x 64" / 154 cm x 152 cm x 162 cm
LD-2 (Equivalent to IATA Type 8D)
Internal Capacity: 120 cu ft/3 cu m
Maximum Gross Weight: 2,700 lb/1,225 kg
Maximum External Dimensions: (L x W x H) Contoured
47" x 60" x 64" / 119 cm x 152 cm x 162 cm
Airfreight - Technical information
Capacity by Aircraft
Boeing 737-300 | Boeing 737-400 | Boeing 747-SP | Boeing 747F | Boeing 747-200 | Boeing 747-300 | Boeing 747-400 | Boeing 767-200 | Boeing 767-300 | McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F
