Maximum Pallet Height for Air Freight: Size Limits Explained

Dimensional compliance is a critical aspect of air freight operations. In fact, the exact dimensions of your shipment determine if it will be allowed on the aircraft and whether you end up facing unpleasant surprises, delays, and costly surcharges.

Quick Takeoff Notes

• Max Air Pallet Height: 61”-63” (155-160 cm) for cargo holds on typical passenger aircraft and up to 118”-120” (300–305 cm) in freighter planes.
• Standard Air Pallet Base: 96″×125” (2.44 m x 3.18 m), but height varies by aircraft type.
• Air Freight Is Size-Restricted to fit specific aircraft door clearances and ULDs (Unit Load Devices, either air containers or air pallets).
• Choose The Right ULD: LD-3 containers for passenger aircraft; PMC/P6P pallets for freighters.

Why Height Limits Matter In Air Freight

Admittedly, air freight is the fastest shipping mode. Its speed, however, is unavoidably constrained by physics, in this case, the internal structure of the aircraft – its cargo hold or belly hold.

Unlike ocean freight, where cargo fits into large standardized boxes, air freight relies on meticulously designed Unit Load Devices (ULDs) – specialized pallets or containers tailored to fit perfectly within an aircraft’s cargo holds.

For airlines, cargo size restrictions are strictly enforced because exceeding them means jeopardizing aircraft safety. 

For shippers, dimensional compliance prevents loads from being rejected, delayed, rerouted, or requiring costly special handling that hurts profitability.

What Are The Air Freight Size Limits? 

Even though specs vary by aircraft, the standard base size for a large air pallet is 96″ × 125″ (2.44 × 3.15 m). On passenger aircraft, this wide pallet must be kept to about 61″ (155 cm) in height to fit in the lower belly hold. Dedicated freighters, however, can take the same 96″ × 125″ pallet stacked much higher – up to 118″ (nearly 3m tall).

Are Air Freight Dimensions Standard? 

No, there’s no standard size for air cargo dimensions, as they depend entirely on the aircraft type – passenger planes or dedicated freighter models.

In today’s global market, though, passenger aircraft bellies carry more than half of all international air freight – about 55% of it – so it’s worth taking a closer look at accepted cargo sizes.

Common Air Freight Dimensions For Passenger Aircraft

The standard dimensions for general air cargo shipped on passenger planes require a ULD with a maximum height of about 61-64 inches (155-163 cm) due to aircraft door sizes.

1. Air Container, Type LD-3 / AKE

The LD-3 container (IATA Code: AKE) is one of the most standard ULDs on passenger aircrafts. It has one angled side to conveniently fit the contours of the aircraft’s fuselage. 

LD-3 Air Cargo Container – External Dimensions

• Length: 61.5 inches (156 cm)
• Width: 60.4 inches (153 cm)
• Height: 64 inches (163 cm)

Maximum Pallet Height For LD-3 Air Cargo

The maximum height of pallets loaded into this type of container is 64 inches (163 cm). 

2. Air Pallet, Type PAG / P1P

For palletized cargo (general, air), you need to use specific PAG / P1P flat pallets and stack them up to the specified height in order to fly in the belly holds. 

Standard PAG / P1P Pallet Base Dimensions

• Length: 125 inches (317 cm)
• Width: 88 inches (224 cm)

Maximum Air Pallet Height In Passenger Holds

The typical operational height limit for this pallet type in a passenger aircraft’s lower deck is 61 to 64 inches (155 to 163 cm), depending on the airline and aircraft model. 

Max Pallet Height For Air Freight: Options For Taller Cargo

The key difference in pallet height limits comes down to aircraft type and specific deck placement.

Passenger aircraft have strict lower-deck restrictions determined by door clearance.

Wide-body planes (like the Boeing 777 or Airbus A330) have a cargo-door clearance of about 64” (162 cm). So, lower-deck ULDs are built to fit this limit. For example, the common LD-3 (AKE) container stands 64” (163 cm) tall; equally, other standard lower-deck containers like the LD-7 and LD-11 are also 63” to 64“ (160–162 cm) tall.

As for pallets, most shippers pack them a couple of inches shorter than belly door height to ensure smooth handling clearance.

Taller cargo must move on dedicated freighters that offer much bigger vertical capacity on their main decks – up to 120” (305 cm). Large freighters like the Boeing 747-400 can accommodate pallets L 125” x W 96” x H 96”- 120” (that’s 318 cm x 244 cm x 244-305 cm) depending on configuration.

How To Optimize Your Air Shipments

To optimize shipments and maintain compliance with air freight size limits, you need to plan right. Here are things to keep in mind:

Prioritize Standard Dimensions

Rates increase for loads that exceed the standard 63” (160 cm) height limit for standard air freight. So, make sure to pack cargo below this threshold in order to secure the most favorable rates.

Select The Right ULD

Coordinate with your 3PL or freight forwarder to select the correct ULD – the type that’s more efficient for your load. 

For example, LD-3 (AKE) containers are designed for half-width lower holds in common passenger planes, offering universal compatibility (within wide-body fleets) but limited height.

In contrast, PMC/P6P main-deck pallets fit dedicated freighters, providing much greater capacity for larger or taller freight, but with fewer flight options.

Leverage Digital Air Freight Platforms

Utilizing digital tools enables international shippers to get validated information on aircraft and ULD dimensions, and pack their cargo properly from the start. 

But more than the right sizes, digital freight-forwarding platforms offer access to thousands of rate quotes and improved transparency throughout booking and shipping.

Especially for SMBs that need to streamline air shipping even more, dynamic platforms like Ship4wd enhance the entire process with real-time visibility, pre-shipment inspections, and streamlined end-to-end coordination – making air freight smoother, faster, and far less stressful.

Backed by expert support and built-in documentation accuracy, Ship4wd helps teams stay compliant and move goods with confidence. Get started today.

FAQs On Air Freight Heights & Other Dimensions

What Is The Maximum Cargo Height For Air Freight?

The maximum air cargo height depends on the aircraft. Passenger-plane belly holds typically max out around 61–63 inches (155–160 cm). Dedicated cargo freighters can accommodate up to 118 inches (300 cm) on the main deck, and specialized oversize charters can handle even taller dimensions.

Can You Air Freight A 40 Foot Container?

No. Standard ocean 40-foot ISO containers are incompatible with typical air freight systems and ULDs (Unit Load Devices) due to their size and shape. Air cargo uses contoured pallets and containers designed to fit securely within aircraft cargo holds.

What Are The Restrictions On Air Freight?

Air freight restrictions primarily cover size, weight, security, and content.

• Dimensions: Must fit within aircraft-specific ULDs (Unit Load Devices) and cargo door sizes.
• Safety: Strict adherence to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) is mandatory for hazardous materials; further regulations apply to other types of loads.
• Security: All cargo is subject to rigorous screening by agencies like the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), to ensure security compliance.

What Are The Limitations Of Air Cargo?

Air freight comes with a few inherent limitations, mainly related to capacity and cost. Due to the limited size of aircrafts, shipments are far smaller and lighter than sea freight. Plus, costs are higher than ground or ocean shipping. It’s also less flexible, as shippers must comply with strict dimensions and safety regulations to ensure security during a flight.