Reference
Airbus A321P2F
The growing single-aisle freighter. Payload, cargo hold, door size and typical role below.
- Maximum payload
- 28,000 kg
- Cargo volume
- 208 m³
- Cargo door
- 3.61 × 2.16 m
About the Airbus A321P2F
A passenger-to-freighter conversion of the A321, and the first single-aisle able to take containers on both the main deck and in the lower hold.
That containerised lower hold is the distinguishing feature: freight can be built into ULDs throughout rather than loaded loose below, which speeds handling and suits the express and e-commerce traffic the type was aimed at.
What it carries
How it is built
- A converted passenger airframe: cabin stripped, floor reinforced, and a large cargo door cut into the forward left fuselage.
- A rigid 9g barrier immediately aft of the flight deck, protecting the crew if the load shifts.
- A powered floor system sized for the narrower single-aisle pallets and containers rather than full widebody ULDs.
- Windows plugged and the cabin systems removed, cutting weight and simplifying the shell.
Why it is used
- Economic on the short and medium sectors where a widebody freighter would fly half empty.
- Operates from a far wider range of airports, including those with no widebody handling.
- Conversion of an existing airframe costs a fraction of a new-build freighter, which is why the segment keeps growing.
- Frequency over capacity: several daily rotations suit express and e-commerce traffic better than one large flight.
What to check before booking
- Payload and volume are a fraction of a widebody, so a large consignment will need several rotations.
- The main deck takes narrowbody ULDs, not the full-size pallets used on widebody equipment.
- Range is limited; intercontinental work needs a fuel stop or a different aircraft.
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