Good for many wide-body passenger routes when the cargo fits a contoured ULD and the station accepts the build-up.
Air freight equipment guide
Air cargo pallets and ULDs
Understand common pallet bases, aircraft contours, and the measurements airlines need before accepting cargo.
Contoured cargo
317 × 244 cm base
Net, pallet and protrusions count toward the final envelope
Route-specific approval is required
ULD selection and maximum cargo dimensions depend on the aircraft type, door opening, hold position, route, airline, contour, weight distribution, and handling station. The figures below are planning references only.
Air cargo pallet planner
Passenger aircraft, freighters, and ULD contours are not interchangeable.
FreightAmigo’s guide correctly highlights the common problem: cargo may be acceptable by weight but fail because of height, width, door access, or contour. Senate Freight checks the complete packed envelope before confirming an airline option.
Better for tall or heavy cargo, but the final limit depends on cargo-door opening, aircraft position, and contour.
Requires cargo drawings, lifting method, tie-down points, centre of gravity, and sometimes a charter or split shipment.
ULD explorer
Start with the pallet, then confirm the contour.
Select a common pallet code to see the planning differences. Height figures describe broad cargo-envelope references, not guaranteed acceptance.
Common air cargo pallet
PMC
Passenger lower deck or freighter use depending on contour and aircraft.
- Base
- 317 × 244 cm
- Configuration
- Common 96 × 125 inch pallet
- Passenger reference
- About 160 cm
- Freighter reference
- Up to about 243 cm on common contours
Common pallet bases
The same base can carry different contours.
Air cargo is planned around the complete loaded profile. A pallet code alone does not confirm that a shipment will fit the booked aircraft.
| ULD / pallet | Typical base | Configuration | Planning use |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMC | 317 × 244 cm | Common 96 × 125 inch pallet | Passenger lower deck or freighter use depending on contour and aircraft. |
| PAG | 317 × 224 cm | Common 88 × 125 inch pallet | Lower-deck passenger cargo and general consolidated freight. |
| PLA | 318 × 153 cm | Narrow lower-deck pallet profile | Selected wide-body lower-deck positions where a narrower base is required. |
| PGA | 606 × 244 cm | Large 96 × 238.5 inch freighter pallet | Oversized or specialised loads built to an aircraft-approved freighter contour. |
Fast fit assessment
Height is only the first checkpoint.
Use this sequence before asking for an airline booking. Width, length, weight concentration, door access, and route equipment remain equally important.
Passenger option may be possible
Check the exact aircraft, pallet contour, width, length, gross weight, and route allocation.
Freighter review is likely
Taller cargo generally needs a dedicated freighter position and confirmed cargo-door access.
Manual OOG or charter planning
Outsize cargo may need a custom build-up, multiple ULDs, specialised handling, or an air charter.
Packaging acceptance
Build the cargo so the airline can actually accept it.
Air cargo packaging has to survive handling, fit the contour, distribute weight, and leave no loose protrusions outside the measured envelope.
Measure after packing
Use the final outer dimensions including pallet, crate, straps, net, shrink wrap, labels, and overhang.
Keep weight low and stable
Declare centre of gravity, forklift pockets, lifting points, and any concentrated load on a small footprint.
Protect edges and protrusions
Hard corners, valves, motors, handles, and sensors should be protected before the airline build-up.
Share photos before dispatch
Send photos, drawings, invoice, packing list, MSDS if required, and exact pickup constraints for pre-alert review.
Indicative cargo envelopes
Aircraft access sets the practical limit.
These broad planning ranges help start a discussion. Senate Freight will confirm route-specific acceptance with the operating airline.
Typical height reference for contoured PMC or PAG loads on suitable wide-body passenger aircraft.
Indicative planning height for suitable main-deck pallet positions; aircraft availability is limited.
Some freighters accept much taller profiles, but door dimensions and contour positions still govern acceptance.
Measure for acceptance
Include everything the aircraft must accommodate.
Airlines charge and plan against the complete outer envelope, not only the product dimensions.
- 01
Measure the highest and widest points
Include the pallet base, crate, wrapping, straps, net, labels, and every protrusion.
- 02
Provide each piece separately
List dimensions and gross weight for every package instead of only shipment totals.
- 03
Protect the centre of gravity
Keep dense cargo low, identify lifting points, and disclose unstable or concentrated loads.
- 04
Flag outsize cargo early
Cargo beyond standard contours may require a freighter, special handling, multiple ULDs, or an air charter.