Reference
LD-4
Full-width rectangular. Full IATA code, rate class, weights, volume and aircraft compatibility below.
- IATA ULD code
- ALP rectangular container
- Prefixes
- ALD, AWD, AWZ, DLP, and forkable ALB, ALC, AWB, and AWC
- Rate class
- Type 8
- Door opening
- 234 x 155 cm (92 x 61 in)
- Aircraft compatibility
- 767, 777, 787 lower hold
- Maximum gross weight
- 2,449 kg (5,399 lb)
- Tare weight
- 120 kg (264 lb)
- AS1825 volume
- 5.7 m³ (201 ft³)
- Boeing volume
- 5.5 m³ (195 ft³)
About the LD-4
A full-width lower-hold container built to the ALP rectangular code, with a canvas door carrying built-in straps.
Rectangular rather than contoured, which suits the 767 and 787 holds it is loaded in. Being full-width it does the work of two half-width units in a single lift. A broad prefix family includes several forkable variants.
What it carries
How it is built
- Full-width lower-hold unit, rectangular rather than contoured.
- The door is canvas, carrying built-in door straps.
- Forkable variants run under the ALB, ALC, AWB and AWC prefixes.
- Aluminium sheet panels on an extruded aluminium frame, kept as light as the structure allows because every kilogram of tare displaces revenue payload.
- A flat base plate with hardened edge rails that engage the aircraft's latch and roller system, so the unit locks into position without separate lashing.
- One or two sides angled to follow the curve of the fuselage, letting the unit fill the belly-hold cross-section rather than leaving dead space.
- A door that is either a canvas curtain with built-in restraint straps or a hinged solid panel, depending on the variant.
- Forklift channels on the variants marked forkable, so the unit can be handled by forklift as well as by dolly and loader.
Why it is used
- Fills the contoured belly space that loose cargo would waste.
- Loads and unloads in a single lift, which is what keeps aircraft turnaround times short.
- Restrains the cargo in flight, so individual pieces need no separate tie-down.
- Interchangeable between airlines and aircraft under the IATA ULD identification system.
What to check before booking
- Tare weight counts against the payload allowance — a heavier unit carries less cargo for the same rate.
- The load must stay inside the contour; anything above the profile will foul the hold and be rejected at build-up.
- A canvas door resists weather but is not a secure closure.
Track your air cargo
Follow an air waybill from acceptance to delivery with live status and ETAs across every major carrier.