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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 (m<sup>3</sup>), dimensions in inches (cm)
|-
! rowspan=2 | Type
! rowspan=2 | Internal<br/>volume
! rowspan=2 | Height
! rowspan=2 | Depth
! colspan=3 | Width
! Base<br/>width
! rowspan=2 | Contour
! Overall<br/>width▼
! Widthrowspan=2 || ContourIATA
! rowspan=2 | Suitability▼
! IATA
|-▼
▲! Suitability
! Base
▲! Overall<br/>width
! 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
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}}
 
Line 165 ⟶ 169:
| {{#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>
Line 224 ⟶ 228:
|-
! 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>
Line 234 ⟶ 238:
| 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 777-88F]]F<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 || ||
|-
Line 261 ⟶ 266:
| 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 || || || ||
Line 276 ⟶ 281:
|-
! 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>
! [[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 || ▼
|{{#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>
! Douglas DC-8-62/72F<ref name=DC-8/>▼
!
| no lower ULD || || 14 || ▼
▲| no lower ULD || || 13 ||
|-
! Douglas DC-8-6162/63/71/73F72F<ref name="DC-8" />
!
| no lower ULD || || 18 || ▼
▲| no lower ULD || || 14 ||
|-
▲! Douglas DC-8-6261/72F63/71/73F<ref name="DC-8" />
! [[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▼
▲| 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>
! Douglas DC-9-32F<ref name=DC-9/>
!
| no lower ULD || || || 8
▲| 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]].]]
[[File:Qatar Airways Airbus A380-800 at Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 before Flying to Doha, 6 Jan 2015.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Qatar Airways]] [[Airbus A380]] at [[Heathrow Terminal 4]] with various [[Airport ground support equipment|ground handling equipment]] including containers, a pallet loader, ULD, jet air starter, belt loader, [[Pushback|pushback tug]], catering vehicles and dollies]]
 
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.
Line 355 ⟶ 385:
| || || || 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 ||
|-
Line 367 ⟶ 397:
| || 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 || || ||
|-
Line 379 ⟶ 409:
==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 392 ⟶ 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 size{{efn|Identifies standard base dimensions.<ref name="Air_Cargo"/>}} (depth × base width) !! Contour/restraint{{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>}} (overall width × height)
|- 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 420 ⟶ 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 438 ⟶ 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}}
|'''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 458 ⟶ 491:
|'''Z''' Main Deck, {{convert|125|×|82|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}}}
|}
; Notes▼
 
▲;Notes
{{notelist|25em}}
 
Line 516 ⟶ 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 × {{convert|88|in|mm|0|adj=on}} tall ULD is half the volume of a {{convert|125|in|mm|0|adj=on}} × 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).
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