Unit load device: Difference between revisions

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{{Redirect|LD2|the comet|P/2019 LD2 (ATLAS)}}

{{short description|Pallet or container used to load luggage, freight, and mail on aircraft}}

[[Image:Unloading JAL 747.jpg|thumb|250px|Unloading LD3 containers from a [[Boeing 747]]]]

A '''unit load device''' ('''ULD''') is a [[Intermodalshipping container|container]] used to load luggage, freight, and mail on [[wide-body aircraft]] and specific [[narrow-body aircraft]]. It allows preloading of [[cargo]], confidenceprovided the containerised load will fitfits in the aircraft, andenabling efficient planning of aircraft weight and balance and reduced labour and time in loading aircraft holds compared with 'bulk-loading' single items of cargo or luggage by hand. Each ULD has its own packing list or [[Manifest (transportation)|manifest]] so that its contents can be tracked. A loaded aircraft [[cargo pallet]] secured with a [[cargo net]] also forms a ULD, but its load must be gauged for size in addition to being weighed to ensure aircraft door and hold clearances.

The [[IATA]] publishes ULD regulations and notes there are 900,000 in service worth more than US$1&nbsp;billion, averaging ${{#expr:1000/0.9round-2}} each.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.iata.org/publications/store/Pages/uld-regulations.aspx |title= ULD Regulations |publisher= IATA |access-date= 2018-07-13 |archive-date= 2018-07-13 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180713202703/https://www.iata.org/publications/store/Pages/uld-regulations.aspx |url-status= dead }}</ref>

==Types==

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 often made of aluminium or a combination of aluminium (frame) and [[Lexan]] (walls), which,but dependingthere are examples of containers made of [[Fiberglass|GRP]] with an insulating foam core. Depending on the nature of the goods to be transported, ULDs may have built-in [[refrigeration]] units. Examples of common ULDs and their specifics are listed below.

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|+ Lower hold containers<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/company/about_bca/pdf/CargoPalletsContainers.pdf |title= Pallets and containers |publisher= Boeing |date= 2012}}</ref> volume in cu.ft (m³), dimensions in inches (cm)

|-

! rowspan=2 | Type

! type

! internalrowspan=2 | Internal<br/>volume

! rowspan=2 | Height

! height

! rowspan=2 | Depth

! depth

! colspan=3 | Width

! base<br/>width

! rowspan=2 | Contour

! overall<br/>width

! widthrowspan=2 || contourIATA

! rowspan=2 | Suitability

! IATA

|-

! Suitability

! Base

! Overall

! Nominal

|-

| LD3-45<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nordisk-aviation.com/en/ld-containers/akh-ld3-45/nordisk-akh-/ |title= AKH (LD3-45) |publisher= Nordisk Aviation}}</ref>

Line 28 ⟶ 32:

| {{cvt|96|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| Full

| doubleDouble

| AKH

| Airbus A319/Airbus A320/Airbus A321

|-

| LD2

Line 38 ⟶ 42:

| {{cvt|61.5|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| rowspan=3 | Half

| rowspan=3 | singleSingle

| APE

| Boeing {{abbr|WB|widebodies}}

|-

| LD3

Line 47 ⟶ 51:

| {{cvt|79|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| AKE

| Airbus WB,and Boeing WBwidebodies, DC-10/MD-11, L-1011

|-

| LD1

Line 53 ⟶ 57:

| {{cvt|92|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| AKC

| Boeing WBwidebodies, MD-11

|-

| LD4

Line 60 ⟶ 64:

| {{cvt|96|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| rowspan=12 | Full

| noneNone

| AQP

| Boeing 767/777/787

Line 67 ⟶ 71:

| {{cvt|245|ft3|m3|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| rowspan= 3| {{cvt|125|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| doubleDouble

| AQF

| Boeing 767/787

Line 74 ⟶ 78:

| {{cvt|256|ft3|m3|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| rowspan=10 | {{cvt|125|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| rowspan=2 | noneNone

| ALP

| Boeing 747, 777, 787, DC-10/MD-11

|-

Line 86 ⟶ 90:

| {{cvt|316|ft3|m3|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| rowspan=3 | {{cvt|160|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| rowspan=3 | doubleDouble

| ALF

| 747/777/787, DC-10/MD-11

Line 94 ⟶ 98:

| rowspan=5 | {{cvt|88|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| AAF

| Airbus A330, A340, A350, &and Boeing 747/777/787, DC-10/MD-11

|-

| LD7 winged pallet{{efn|The LD-7 winged pallet adds folding wings to the P1P flat pallet to allow overhang}}

Line 104 ⟶ 108:

| {{cvt|379|ft3|m3|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| rowspan=2 | {{cvt|125|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| rowspan=2 | noneNone

| P1P

| All widebodies

Line 111 ⟶ 115:

| {{cvt|381|ft3|m3|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| AAP

| Boeing WBwidebodies, DC-10/MD-11

|-

| LD29 (P1P base)

| {{cvt|510|ft3|m3|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| rowspan=2 | {{cvt|186|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| rowspan=2 | doubleDouble

| AAU

| 747

Line 124 ⟶ 128:

| rowspan= 2 | {{cvt|96|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| AMU

| 747

|-

| P6P pallet{{efn|name=FlatNet}}

| {{cvt|407|ft3|m3|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}{{efn|up to {{cvt|750|ft3|m3|1}} with a {{cvt|118|in|cm|1}} height}}

| {{cvt|125|in|cm|1|sortable=on|abbr=values}}

| noneNone

| P6P

| 747, 767, 777, 787, DC-10, MD-11

|}

; Notes

{{notelist}}

[[File:Unit load device sizes.png|thumb|center|640px|Unit load device sizes]]

==Aircraft compatibility==

≈≈≈≈

[[Image:Airbus A300 cross section.jpg|thumb|Cross-section of an Airbus A300 showing LD3 containers]]

LD3s, LD6s, and LD11s will fit [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|787]]s, [[Boeing 777|777]]s, [[Boeing 747|747]]s, [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11|MD-11]]s, [[Ilyushin Il-86|Il-86]]s, [[Ilyushin Il-96|Il-96]]s, [[Lockheed L-1011 TriStar|L-1011]]s and all [[Airbus]] wide-bodies. The [[Boeing 767|767]] uses the smaller LD2s and LD8s because of its narrower fuselage. The less common LD1 is designed specifically for the 747, but LD3s are more commonly used in its place because of ubiquity (they have the same floor dimensions such that one LD3 takes the place of one LD1). LD3s with reduced height ({{convert|45|in|m|2|order=flip}} instead of {{convert|64|in|m|2|order=flip}}) can also be loaded on the [[Airbus A320 family]]. LD7 pallets will fit 787s, 777s, 747s, late model 767s (with larger doors), and Airbus wide-bodies.

Interchangeability of certain ULDs between LD3/6/11 aircraft and LD2/8 aircraft is possible when cargo needs to be quickly transferred to a connecting flight. Both LD2s and LD8s can be loaded in LD3/6/11 aircraft, but at the cost of using internal volume inefficiently (33&nbsp;ft³ wasted per LD2). Only the LD3 of the LD3/6/11 family of ULDs can be loaded in a 767; it will occupy an entire row where two LD2s or one LD8 would otherwise have fit (90&nbsp;ft³ wasted per LD3). Policies vary from airline to airline as to whether such transfers are allowed.

The 787, intended to replace the 767, was designed to use the LD3/6/11 family of ULDs to solve the wasted volume issue.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tpJ8AwAAQBAJ&pg=PT25 |title=Flying the Boeing 787 |author=Vogel, Gib |date=2013 |page=25 |publisher=The Crowood Press Ltd |___location=Ramsbury, Marlborough |isbn=978-1-84797-636-9 |access-date=21 February 2019 |quote=[The 787] interior fuselage width of 215in (5.46m) was to be 29in (0.74m) greater than the 186in (4.72m) width of the 767 to accommodate the more commonly available LD-3 size baggage containers in its cargo hold ...}}</ref>

===ULD capacity===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"

|+ Widebodies

! rowspan=2 | Model !! colspan=3 | Lower deck !! colspan=3 | Main deck

|-

! data-sort-type="number" | Containers !! data-sort-type="number" | 88×125″ !! data-sort-type="number" | 96×125″

! data-sort-type="number" | 96×125″ !! data-sort-type="number" | 88×125″ !! data-sort-type="number" | 88x108″

|-

! [[Airbus A300]]-600<ref name=A300>{{cite web |url= https://www.airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/backgrounders/techdata/aircraft_characteristics/Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft-AC-A300-600-Dec-2009.pdf |title= A300-600 Aircraft Characteristics - Airport and Maintenance Planning |date= Dec 2009 |publisher= Airbus}}</ref>

| {{#expr:12+10}} [[#Types|LD3]]

| data-sort-value="4.10" | 4 + 10 LD3

| data-sort-value="4.10" | 4 + 10 LD3 || 20 || 21<ref name= A300-A310P2F/> ||

|-

! [[Airbus A310]]<ref name=A310>{{cite web |url= https://www.airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/backgrounders/techdata/aircraft_characteristics/Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft-AC-A310-Dec-2009.pdf |title= A310 Aircraft Characteristics - Airport and Maintenance Planning |date= Dec 2009 |publisher= Airbus}}</ref>

| {{#expr:8+7}} LD3

| data-sort-value="3.07" | 3 + 7 LD3

| data-sort-value="3.07" | 3 + 7 LD3 || 15 || 16<ref name= A300-A310P2F>{{cite web |url= https://www.elbeflugzeugwerke.com/fileadmin/pdfs/Brochure_EADS-EFW-A300-A310-Conversions.pdf |title= A300/A310 P2F |publisher= [[Elbe Flugzeugwerke]] |access-date= 2018-07-31 |archive-date= 2018-07-31 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213043/https://www.elbeflugzeugwerke.com/fileadmin/pdfs/Brochure_EADS-EFW-A300-A310-Conversions.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> ||

|-

! [[Airbus A330]]-2/800<ref name=A330>{{cite web |url= https://www.airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/backgrounders/techdata/aircraft_characteristics/Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft-AC-A330.pdf |title= A330 Aircraft Characteristics - Airport and Maintenance Planning |date= Jul 2018 |publisher= Airbus}}</ref>

| {{#expr:14+12}} LD3 || {{#expr:4+4}} || {{#expr:4+4}} || {{#expr:18+4}} || {{#expr:20+3}} || {{#expr:22+4}}

|-

! Airbus A330-3/900<ref name=A330/>

| {{#expr:18+14}} LD3 || {{#expr:6+5}} || {{#expr:6+4}} || 26 || 26<ref name=A330P2F>{{cite web |url= https://www.elbeflugzeugwerke.com/fileadmin/pdfs/Brochure_We_are_Family.pdf |title= A330P2F |publisher= [[Elbe Flugzeugwerke]]}}</ref> ||

|-

! [[Airbus A340]]-200<ref name=A342-3>{{cite web |url= https://www.airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/backgrounders/techdata/aircraft_characteristics/Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft-AC-A340-200-300.pdf |title= A340-200/300 Aircraft Characteristics - Airport and Maintenance Planning |date= Jul 2018 |publisher= Airbus}}</ref>

| {{#expr:14+12}} LD3 || {{#expr:5+4}} || {{#expr:5+4}} || || ||

|-

! Airbus A340-300<ref name=A342-3/>

| {{#expr:18+14}} LD3 || {{#expr:6+5}} || {{#expr:6+4}} || || ||

|-

! Airbus A340-500<ref name=A345-6>{{cite web |url= https://www.airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/backgrounders/techdata/aircraft_characteristics/Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft-AC-A340-500_600.pdf |title= A340-500/600 Aircraft Characteristics - Airport and Maintenance Planning |date= Jul 2018 |publisher= Airbus}}</ref>

| {{#expr:18+12}} LD3 || {{#expr:6+4}} || {{#expr:6+4}} || || ||

|-

! Airbus A340-600<ref name=A345-6/>

| {{#expr:24+18}} LD3 || {{#expr:8+6}} || {{#expr:8+6}} || || ||

|-

! [[Airbus A350]]-900<ref name=A350>{{cite web |url= https://www.airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/backgrounders/techdata/aircraft_characteristics/Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft-AC-A350-900-1000.pdf |title= A350-900/1000 Aircraft Characteristics - Airport and Maintenance Planning |date= Jun 2018 |publisher= Airbus}}</ref>

| {{#expr:20+16}} LD3 || {{#expr:6+5}} || {{#expr:6+5}} || || ||

|-

! Airbus A350F<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aircraft.airbus.com/en/aircraft/freighters/a350-freighter |title= A350F Freighter key figures |publisher= [[Airbus]] }}</ref>

| 40 LD3 || || 12 || 30 || ||

|-

! Airbus A350-1000<ref name=A350/>

| {{#expr:24+20}} LD3 || {{#expr:8+6}} || {{#expr:8+6}} || || ||

|-

! [[Airbus A380]]-800<ref name=A380>{{cite web |url= https://www.airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/backgrounders/techdata/aircraft_characteristics/Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft-AC-A380-Dec-2016.pdf |title= A380 Aircraft Characteristics - Airport and Maintenance Planning |date= Dec 2016 |publisher= Airbus}}</ref>

| {{#expr:22+16}} LD3 || {{#expr:7+6}} || {{#expr:7+6}} || || ||

|-

! [[Boeing 747]] classic<ref name=B741-2-3-SP>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/747_123sp.pdf

|title= 747-100/200/300/SP Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= May 2011 |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

| data-sort-value="33" | {{abbr|{{#expr:16+14}} [[#Types|LD1]]|33 × LD3 volume}} || || || 28 || 28 || 36

|-

! [[Boeing 747SP]]<ref name=B741-2-3-SP/>

| data-sort-value="22" | {{abbr|{{#expr:10+10}} LD1|22 × LD3 volume}} || || || || ||

|-

! [[Boeing 747-400]]<ref name=B744>{{cite web |url= http://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/company/about_bca/startup/pdf/freighters/747-400f.pdf |title= 747-400/-400ER Freighters |date= May 2010 |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

| data-sort-value="35.2" | {{abbr|{{#expr:16+16}} LD1 |35 × LD3 volume}}

| data-sort-value="9.044" | 9 + 4 LD1

| data-sort-value="9.022" | 9 + 2 LD1 || 30 || 30 ||

|-

! [[Boeing 747-8]]/8F<ref name=B748>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/747_8.pdf |title= 747-8/8F Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= Dec 2012 |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

| data-sort-value="44" | {{abbr|{{#expr:22+18}} LD1|44 × LD3 volume}} ||

| data-sort-value="12.022" | 12 + 2 LD1 || {{#expr:27+5+2}} || ||

|-

! [[Boeing 767]]-200<ref name=B767>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/767.pdf |title= 767 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= May 2011 |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

| data-sort-value="17.2" | {{abbr|{{#expr:12+10}} [[#Types|LD2]] |17 × LD3 volume}}

| data-sort-value="3.078" | 3 + 10 LD2

| data-sort-value="3.078" | 3 + 10 LD2 || || ||

|-

! Boeing 767-300<ref name=B767/>

| data-sort-value="23.4" | {{abbr|{{#expr:16+14}} LD2 |23 × LD3 volume}}

| data-sort-value="4.1092" | 4 + 14 LD2

| data-sort-value="4.1092" | 4 + 14 LD2 || 14 || {{#expr:14+2}} || {{#expr:24+2}}

|-

! Boeing 767-400<ref name=B767/>

| data-sort-value="29.6" | {{abbr|{{#expr:20+18}} LD2|29 ½ × LD3 volume}} || || 5 + 16 LD2|| || ||

|-

! [[Boeing 777]]-200<ref name=B777>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/777_2lr3er.pdf |title= 777 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= May 2015 |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

| {{#expr:18+14}} LD3

| data-sort-value="10.02" | {{#expr:6+4}} + 2 LD3 || {{#expr:6+4}} || 27 || ||

|-

! Boeing 777-300<ref name=B777/>

| {{#expr:24+20}} LD3

| data-sort-value="14.02" | {{#expr:8+6}} + 2LD3 || {{#expr:8+6}} || 33<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/gecas-and-iai-launch-777-300er-cargo-conversion-461491/|title=GECAS and IAI launch 777-300ER cargo conversion|last=Kingsley-Jones|first=Max|date=2019-10-16|website=Flightglobal|language=en-GB}}</ref> || ||

|-

! [[Boeing_777X#777-8F|Boeing 777-8F]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/commercial/freighters/#/777-8f-highlight/777-8f/cargo-arrangements/ |title= 777-8 Freighter |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

| 40 LD3<ref>{{cite news |url= https://leehamnews.com/2015/07/23/options-for-singapore-airlines-to-operate-direct-flights-to-the-us-part-2/ |title= Options for Singapore Airlines to operate direct flights to the US, part 2 |author= Bjorn Fehrm |date= July 23, 2015 |work= Leeham}}</ref>

| || 13

| 31 || ||

|-

! [[Boeing 777-9]]<ref name=B779>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/777-9_RevA.pdf

|title= 777-9 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= May 2015 |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

| {{#expr:26+22}} LD3 || {{#expr:9+7}}

| data-sort-value="14.04" |{{#expr:8+6}} + 4 LD3 || || ||

|-

! [[Boeing 787]]-8<ref name=B787>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/787.pdf |title= 787 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= March 2018 |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

| {{#expr:16+12}} LD3 || {{#expr:5+4}}

| data-sort-value="8.02" | {{#expr:5+3}} + 2 LD3 || || ||

|-

! Boeing 787-9<ref name=B787/>

| {{#expr:20+16}} LD3 || {{#expr:6+5}} || {{#expr:6+5}} || || ||

|-

! Boeing 787-10<ref name=B787/>

| {{#expr:22+18}} LD3 || {{#expr:7+6}} || {{#expr:7+6}} || || ||

|-

! [[Douglas DC-10]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/dc10.pdf |title= DC-10 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= May 2011 |publisher= McDonnell Douglas }}</ref>

| {{#expr:16+10}} LD3

| data-sort-value="5.08" | 5 + 8 LD3 || || || 22 || 30

|-

! [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/md11.pdf |title= MD-11 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= May 2011 |publisher= McDonnell Douglas }}</ref>

| {{#expr:18+14}} LD3 ||

| data-sort-value="6.14" | 6 + 14 LD3 || 26 || 26 || 34

|-

! [[Lockheed L-1011]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.tristar500.net/articles/techprofile.pdf |title= L-1011-500 TriStar technical profile |publisher= Lockheed |access-date= 2018-07-31 |archive-date= 2017-12-08 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171208144003/http://www.tristar500.net/articles/techprofile.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref>

| {{#expr:12+7}} LD3

| data-sort-value="4.07" | 4 + 7 LD3 || || || ||

|-

! [[Ilyushin Il-86]]/Il-96-300<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/ilyushin-il-86/252 |title= Ilyushin Il-86 |work= The International Directory of Civil Aircraft |author= Gerard Frawley |via= Airliners.net}}</ref>

| 16 LD3 || || || || ||

|-

! [[Ilyushin Il-96]]M/T<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/ilyushin-il-96m-il-96t/254 |title= Ilyushin Il-96M & Il-96T |work= The International Directory of Civil Aircraft |author= Gerard Frawley |via= Airliners.net}}</ref>

| 32 LD3 || || || || ||

|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"

|+ Narrowbodies

|-

! Model

!

! data-sort-type="number" | Containers !! data-sort-type="number" | 96×125″ !! data-sort-type="number" | 88×125″ !! data-sort-type="number" | 88x108″

|-

! [[Airbus A319]]<ref name=A319>{{cite web |url= https://www.airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/backgrounders/techdata/aircraft_characteristics/Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft-AC-A319-Feb18.pdf |title= A319 Aircraft Characteristics - Airport and Maintenance Planning |date= Feb 2018 |publisher= Airbus}}</ref>

!

| {{#expr:2+2}} [[#Types|LD3-45]] || || ||

|-

! [[Airbus A320]]<ref name=A320>{{cite web |url= https://www.airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/backgrounders/techdata/aircraft_characteristics/Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft-AC-A320-Feb18.pdf |title= A320 Aircraft Characteristics - Airport and Maintenance Planning |date= Feb 2018 |publisher= Airbus}}</ref>

!

| {{#expr:3+4}} LD3-45 || || 11<ref name=A320-A321P2F>{{cite web |url= https://www.elbeflugzeugwerke.com/fileadmin/pdfs/EFW_A320_A321P2F_six_pager.pdf |title= A320/A321 P2F |publisher= Elbe Flugzeugwerke |access-date= 2018-07-31 |archive-date= 2018-07-31 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183429/https://www.elbeflugzeugwerke.com/fileadmin/pdfs/EFW_A320_A321P2F_six_pager.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> ||

|-

! [[Airbus A321]]<ref name=A321>{{cite web |url= https://www.airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/backgrounders/techdata/aircraft_characteristics/Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft-AC-A321-Feb18.pdf |title= A321 Aircraft Characteristics - Airport and Maintenance Planning |date= Feb 2018 |publisher= Airbus}}</ref>

!

| {{#expr:5+5}} LD3-45 || || 14<ref name=A320-A321P2F/> ||

|-

! [[Boeing 707]]-320C<ref name=B707>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/707.pdf |title= 707 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= May 2011 |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

!

| no lower ULD || || 13 || 13

|-

! [[Boeing 727]]-100C<ref name=B727>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/727.pdf |title= 727 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= May 2011 |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

!

| no lower ULD{{efn|The B727-200 had an option to hold 11 specific {{cvt|45.5|-|92.4|x|41.1|x|43.4|in|m}} base-full width × height × depth, {{cvt|78|cuft}} underfloor containers.}} || || 8 || 8

|-

! [[Boeing 737]]-200C<ref name=B737>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/737.pdf |title= 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= Sep 2013 |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

!

| no lower ULD || || 7 || 7

|-

! [[Boeing 737-300]]SF<ref name=B733>{{cite web |url= http://www.aeronautical-engineers.com/media/products/data_sheets/B737-300_9_Pallet_Spec_Sheet.pdf |title= B737-300SF Freighter Conversion |publisher= Aeronautical Engineers }}</ref>

!

| no lower ULD || || 9 ||

|-

! [[Boeing 737-400]]SF<ref name=B734>{{cite web |url= http://www.aeronautical-engineers.com/media/products/data_sheets/B737-400_11_Pallet_Spec_Sheet.pdf |title= B737-400SF Freighter Conversion |publisher= Aeronautical Engineers }}</ref>

!

| no lower ULD ||

| data-sort-value="10.5" | 10 ½ ||

|-

! [[Boeing 737-700]]C<ref name=B737/>

!

| no lower ULD || || 8 || 8

|-

! [[Boeing 737-800]]SF<ref name=B738>{{cite web |url= http://www.aeronautical-engineers.com/media/products/data_sheets/B737-800SF_12_Pallet_Spec_Sheet_1.pdf |title= B737-800SF Freighter Conversion |publisher= Aeronautical Engineers }}</ref>

!

| no lower ULD ||

| data-sort-value="11.5" | 11 ½ ||

|-

! [[Boeing 757]]-200F<ref name=B757>{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/757_23.pdf |title= 757 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= May 2011 |publisher= Boeing}}</ref>

!

| no lower ULD || || 15 ||

|-

!Comac [[Comac C919|C919]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-19 |title=COMAC C919 Guide and Specifications: China's Chance to Corner the Competition - Aviator Insider |url=https://aviatorinsider.com/airplane-brands/comac-c919-guide/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>

!

|{{#expr:3+4}} LD3-46<ref>{{Cite web |title=飞机装卸载系统的动力学分析 |url=https://wenku.baidu.com/view/d10e5bcb83eb6294dd88d0d233d4b14e85243e65?aggId=b55e32a00708763231126edb6f1aff00bfd57006&fr=catalogMain_text_ernie_recall_feed_index:wk_recommend_main3 |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=wenku.baidu.com}}</ref>

|

|

|

|-

! [[Douglas DC-8]]-55F<ref name="DC-8">{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/dc8.pdf |title= DC-8 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= May 2011 |publisher= McDonnell Douglas }}</ref>

!

| no lower ULD || || 13 ||

|-

! Douglas DC-8-62/72F<ref name="DC-8" />

!

| no lower ULD || || 14 ||

|-

! Douglas DC-8-61/63/71/73F<ref name="DC-8" />

!

| no lower ULD || || 18 ||

|-

! [[Douglas DC-9]]-15F<ref name="DC-9">{{cite web |url= https://www.boeing.com/resources/boeingdotcom/commercial/airports/acaps/dc9.pdf |title= DC-8 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning |date= May 2011 |publisher= McDonnell Douglas }}</ref>

!

| no lower ULD || || || 6

|-

! Douglas DC-9-32F<ref name="DC-9" />

!

| no lower ULD || || || 8

|-

! [[McDonnell Douglas MD-80]]SF<ref name="MD-80">{{cite web |url= http://www.aeronautical-engineers.com/media/products/data_sheets/MD-80_Spec_Sheet.pdf |title= MD-80SF Freighter Conversion |publisher= Aeronautical Engineers }}</ref>

!

| no lower ULD || 8 || 8 || 12

|}

{{notelist}}

[[File:Loading LD3 cargo containers onto United Boeing 777-300ER.webm|thumb|LD3 containers being loaded onto a [[Boeing 777-300ER]].]]

Aircraft loads can consist of containers, pallets, or a mix of ULD types, depending on requirements. In some aircraft the two types must be mixed as some compartments take only specific ULDs.

Container capacity of an aircraft is measured in ''positions''. Each half-width container (LD1/LD2/LD3) in the aircraft it was designed for occupies one position. Typically, each row in a cargo compartment consists of two positions. Therefore, a full-width container (LD6/LD8/LD11) will take two positions. An LD6 or an LD11 can occupy the space of two LD3s. An LD8 takes the space of two LD2s.

Aircraft pallet capacity is measured by how many PMC-type LD7s {{cvt|96 by 125|in|cm}} can be stored. These pallets occupy approximately three LD3 positions (two positions of one row and half of the two positions of the following row) or four LD2 positions. PMCs can only be loaded in cargo compartments with large doors designed to accept them (small door compartments are container-only).

[[File:FOIQRATR72.JPG|thumb|An [[ATR 72]] with its cargo door open]]

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"

|+ [[Regional airliner]]s

|-

! Model

! LD3 !! 46×66” !! 88×54” !! 88×62” !! 88×108” !! 96×125”

|-

| [[Fokker 100]]<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/combi-freighter-plan-emerges-for-fokker-100-352758/ |title= Combi freighter plan emerges for Fokker 100 |date= 4 Feb 2011 |work= Flightglobal}}</ref>

| 11 || || || || ||

|-

| [[CRJ200]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.aeronautical-engineers.com/products/8-pallet-crj200/ |title= AEI's 8 pallet CRJ200 Freighter Conversion |publisher= Aeronautical Engineers, Inc.}}</ref>

| || || || 8 || ||

|-

| [[BAe 146]]-200<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pionair.com.au/news/bae-146-200qc/ |title= BAe 146-200QC arriving April 2013 |date= March 28, 2013 |publisher= Pionair |access-date= November 11, 2018 |archive-date= December 18, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181218010147/http://www.pionair.com.au/news/bae-146-200qc/ |url-status= dead }}</ref>

| 9 || || || || 6 || 4

|-

| [[ATR 72]]<ref name=ATRfamily>{{cite web |url= http://www.atraircraft.com/products_app/media/pdf/FAMILY_septembre2014.pdf |title= ATR Family |publisher= ATR |date= Sep 2014 |access-date= 2018-11-11 |archive-date= 2017-05-16 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170516192620/http://www.atraircraft.com/products_app/media/pdf/FAMILY_septembre2014.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref>

| 7 || || || 9 || 5 ||

|-

| [[ATR 42]]<ref name=ATRfamily/>

| 5 || || || 6 || 3 ||

|-

| [[Bombardier Dash 8|Dash 8]]-300<ref>{{cite web |url= http://dash8freighter.com |title= Dash 8 freighter |publisher= B/E Aerospace}}</ref>

| || 9 || || || ||

|-

| [[Xian MA600]]<ref>{{cite news |url= https://cargofacts.com/a-new-small-freighter-from-china/ |title= A new small freighter from China |author= David Harris |date= January 10, 2013 |work= Cargo facts }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

| 5 || || 5 || || ||

|-

| [[Short 360]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=354 |title= Short 360 |work= The International Directory of Civil Aircraft |author= Gerard Frawley }}</ref>

| 5 || || || || ||

|-

| [[Cessna SkyCourier]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://cessna.txtav.com/en/turboprop/skycourier |title= SkyCourier |publisher= [[Cessna]] }}</ref>

| 3 || || || || ||

|}

==Identification==

[[File:ULD nomenclature.svg|thumb|right|Dimension names of ULD (LD3/AKE shown)]]

All ULDs are identified by their ULD number. A three-letter prefix identifies its type and key characteristics,<ref name="VRR-IATA-ULD">{{cite web |title=Identifying a Unit Load Device |url=https://vrr-aviation.comaero/uldknowledge-infocenter/everything-about-ulds/uld-id-code/ |titleurl-status=Identifying a Unit Load Device |publisher=VRR Aviationlive |access-date=2124 FebruaryJuly 20192025 |publisher=VRR.aero}}</ref> followed by a 4 or 5 digit serial number (4 if prior to October 1, 1993; either 4 or 5 if after October 1, 1993) to uniquely identify it from others of the same type, and ending with a two character (alpha-numerical) suffix identifying the ULD's owner (if an airline, often the same as [[IATA]] designator codes). For example, ''AKN 12345 DL'' means that the ULD is a forkliftable LD3 with the unique number ''12345'' and its owner is [[Delta Air Lines]].<ref name="Air_Cargo">

{{cite web

|url=http://www.fredoniainc.com/glossary/air.html

Line 156 ⟶ 422:

</ref>

{{clear}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:85%;text-align:left;"

|+ IATA ULD prefix<ref name=VRR-IATA-ULD /><ref name="Air_Cargo"/>

|-

! Type{{efn|Identifies ULD category (certification, ULD type, thermal units).<ref name="Air_Cargo"/>}} !! Base Sizesize{{efn|Identifies standard base dimensions.<ref name="Air_Cargo"/>}} (Depthdepth × Basebase Widthwidth) !! Contour/Restraintrestraint{{efn|Identifies contour (profile dimensions &and shape), forklift holes, and other miscellaneous information.<ref name="Air_Cargo"/> For certified pallets (Pxx), this identifies the NAS 3610 classification to which the pallet is certified.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uldcare.com/all-about-contours/ |title=All about contours |date=29 October 2015 |publisher=ULD Care |access-date=21 February 2019}}</ref>}} (Overalloverall Widthwidth × Heightheight)

|- style="vertical-align:top;"

|-

| {{ubl
|'''A''' Certified Aircraft Container

|'''B''' Certified Winged Aircraft Pallet{{efn|Previously used as "Certified Main Deck Aircraft Container"; this designation is obsolete.}}

|'''C''' Non-Aircraft Container{{efn|name=obsolete|This designation is obsolete.}}

Line 177 ⟶ 444:

|'''Q''' Certified Hardened Aircraft Container

|'''R''' Thermal Certified Aircraft Container

|'''S''' Certified Multi-Modal Air/Surface Container{{efn|Previously used as "Structural Igloo -– Solid Door"; this designation is obsolete.}}

|'''U''' Non-Structural Container (Igloo){{efn|Previously used as "Structural Igloo -– Other Closures" (meaning any door other than a solid door); this designation is obsolete.}}

|'''V''' Automobile Transport Equipment

|'''W''' Certified ULD for Aircraft Engine Transport

Line 184 ⟶ 451:

|'''Y''' Reserved for airline internal use

|'''Z''' Reserved for airline internal use}}

| {{ubl
|'''A''' {{convert|88|×|125|in|mm|0|order=flip|abbr=on}}

|'''B''' {{convert|88|×|108|in|mm|0|order=flip|abbr=on}}

|'''E''' {{convert|53|x|88|in|mm|0|order=flip|abbr=on}}{{efn|name=obsolete}}

Line 202 ⟶ 470:

|'''Y''' Miscellaneous sizes, largest dimension {{convert|96|in|mm|0|order=flip|abbr=on}}{{efn|name=obsolete}}

|'''Z''' Miscellaneous sizes, largest dimension >{{convert|125|in|mm|0|order=flip|abbr=on}}{{efn|name=obsolete}}}}

| {{ubl

| {{ubl|'''A''' Main Deck, {{convert|96|×|96|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|'''A''' Main Deck, {{convert|96|×|96|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|'''B''' Main Deck, {{convert|96|×|96|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|'''C''' Lower Deck, {{convert|92|×|64|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}

Line 222 ⟶ 491:

|'''Z''' Main Deck, {{convert|125|×|82|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}}}

|}

; Notes

;Notes

{{notelist|25em}}

Line 280 ⟶ 548:

==Main-deck ULDs==

On the main deck of cargo planes are {{convert|79|to|96108|in|mm|0}} tall ULDs with footprints similar to those of {{convert|88|in|mm|0}} or {{convert|96|in|mm|0}} wide pallets and {{convert|62|in|mm|0}} or {{convert|125|in|mm|0}} long. A {{convert|62|in|mm|0|adj=on}} wide x× {{convert|88|in|mm|0|adj=on}} tall ULD is half the volume of a {{convert|125|in|mm|0|adj=on}} x× 88 inch pallet. The 20 foot pallet is {{convert|238|in|mm|0}} long and {{convert|96|in|mm|0}} wide. What the actual dimensions of contoured upper deck ULDs are is very hard to know, because most manufacturers only profile width, length and height data.

There are several common types of contoured main deck ULDs, that are contoured (curved to fit in the plane's body) to provide as much cargo volume as possible. Initially ULD contouring was simply a triangle removed from one or two corners of the profile of the ULD, such as the common LD3 and LD6. Main deck ULDs use curves for the contoured shape to truly maximize cargo volume. Upper deck ULDs are just like lower deck ULDs that are either the full width of the plane with two corners of the profile removed (lower deck LD6 lower), or that container is cut in half, down the center line of the plane, (lower deck LD3 and upper deck AAX).