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A Unit Load Device (ULD) is a pallet or container used to transport air cargo. ULDs come in two forms: pallets and containers. ULD pallets are robust aluminium plates with hooks to which a luggage net can be attached. ULD containers are closed boxes made of aluminium or a combination of aluminium (frame) and plastic (walls).
Air freight containers and pallets
Thanks to the standardized ULD units it's possible to load large quantities of goods in a short time with low labor costs. ULD pallets and ULD containers are made of sheet aluminum with profiles or profile frames. These standardized dimensions of the containers and pallets make it also possible to secure the cargo in the aircraft.
Cooling
Depending on the goods to be transported, the container may have a built-in cooling system. The containers are usually less wide at the bottom, so that they can be placed closer to the hull of the aircraft.
The table below gives an overview of the most common variants and their properties.
| Container variant | Content in m3 | Size in inches (width bottom plate / max width x depth x hight) | Comments |
| LD1 | 4,90 | 61 / 92 x 60 x 64 | half widht |
| LD2 | 3,40 | 46 / 61 x 60 x 64 | half width |
| LD3 | 4,50 | 61 / 79 x 60 x 64 | half width |
| LD6 | 8,95 | 125 / 160 x 60 x 64 | full width, same as 2x LD3 |
| LD8 | 6,88 | 96 / 125 x 60 x 64 | full width, same as 2x LD2 |
| LD11 | 7,16 | 125 x 60 x 64 | Similar to LD6, but everywhere equally wide |
| Pallet variant | Content in m3 | Size in cm | Comments |
| LD8 | 6,88 | 60 x 96 | Same bottom plate as container |
| LD11 | 7,16 | 60 x 125 | Same bottom plate as container |
An LD11 air freight pallet:
An LD3 air freight container:
All air freight container and pallet types:
