Cargo Airplanes: Types, Models and More

Cargo airplanes, also known as freighters, serve a very important role in both the domestic and global supply chains. These indispensable vehicles are used to move freight quickly and efficiently over long distances.    

What Are Cargo Airplanes?

Cargo airplanes are aircraft dedicated solely to the transportation of goods. These planes are built with large doors to facilitate the loading and unloading of sizeable containers or large pallets stacked with boxes or crates. The interior of a cargo plane, called the cargo hold, is substantial and wide open, with high ceilings to maximize space for freight being shipped. 

The heavy-duty floors and innovative handling systems found inside cargo planes allow them to accommodate quite an array of freight. This includes perishable items and consumer goods, oversized machinery and even vehicles.    

Cargo vs Passenger Planes

Whereas cargo planes are designed specifically for transporting goods, passenger planes have the safety and comfort of the people on board in mind. Rows of cushioned seats are the first thing you won’t find on a cargo plane. Windows are plentiful on a passenger plane, but sparce or even non-existent on a cargo plane. The same goes for lavatories or service galleys.     

In contrast to the expansive doors found on a cargo plane, standard man-sized doors are utilized on passenger planes. And while passenger planes are designed to comfortably carry people, cargo planes maximize the interior space of the aircraft to securely transport a wide variety of goods.

Passenger Planes Converted to Cargo Planes

As witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of passengers travelling via aircraft plunged to extraordinary lows. To combat this loss, many commercial airlines converted passenger planes into cargo planes. This modification allowed them to offset declining revenue by taking advantage of the tremendous surge in demand for transportation of freight.

To accomplish this transformation, seats had to be removed from the passenger cabin to allow lighter freight to be carried directly on the cabin floor. Netting was installed to secure cargo and keep it from shifting during flight. In some aircraft, overhead bins were removed to increase cargo space. To accommodate heavier cargo, flooring was reinforced, and larger securing devices were installed. 

Types of Cargo Airplanes

There are four general types of planes used to carry cargo.  Each is unique in its features and capabilities to transport different kinds of freight. The four types are:

Dedicated Cargo Only

These planes are specifically built to carry cargo, and only cargo. They do not carry passengers, which allows for design optimizations such as reinforced floors, high ceilings and large cargo doors. 

Passenger-to-Freighter Conversions (P2F)

As the name implies, these are passenger airplanes that have been converted into cargo planes. They are typically retired passenger jets with the seats removed and cargo-specific features added.

Combi Aircraft

These planes are designed to carry both passengers and cargo on the main deck. They have a wall that separates the passenger section from the cargo area.

Quick Change Aircraft

Quite amazingly, these aircraft can be rapidly converted from passenger to cargo plane and vice versa, simply by rolling seats in or out on built-in tracks.

Cargo Airplanes:  From Small to XXL

Favored Large Cargo Airplanes

When it comes to transporting goods by plane, there are plenty of options. Some of the most popular large aircraft models include:

Boeing 747-8F

In service since 2011, the iconic Boeing 747-8F is the largest commercial freighter aircraft in the world. It has an impressive payload capacity of 140 tons and a flight range of 4,390 nautical miles. This means it can carry great quantities of cargo over incredibly long distances.  

A unique feature of the 747-8F is the ability to load and unload oversized cargo through the nose of the plane. This capability is ideal for transporting heavy machinery or extremely large items. 

Boeing 777F

The Boeing 777F is known as the longest range, twin-engine freighter. It was introduced in 2009 and offers a payload capacity of approximately 102 tons with a flight range of 4,970 nautical miles. This aircraft boasts low operating costs with high reliability.

McDonnell Douglas MD-11F

While an older cargo plane, the MD-11F is still widely used. It originally went into service in 1992. It has a maximum payload of 91 tons and a flight range of 7,200 nautical miles.

This cargo plane can carry both bulk and containerized cargo. It’s an ideal choice for transporting raw materials such as corn and coal, as well as finished goods like clothes and electronics.

Airbus A330-200F

The Airbus A330-200F was launched in 2010. It can carry up to 77 tons of payload and has a maximum flight range of 4,000 nautical miles. Due to its design using eco-efficient engine technologies, the A330-200F is more environmentally friendly with reduced CO2 emissions and noise levels.    

One advantage of the A330-200F is that the large main deck cargo loading system can accommodate all industry-standard containers and pallets. 

Boeing 767-300F

The Boeing 767-300F has been in service since 1995.  It is a mid-sized freighter that can carry approximately 58 tons of cargo, with a flight range of up to 3,255 nautical miles. FedEx is the largest operator of 767-300 Freighters, with its fleet numbering 100. 

This aircraft features a climate control system allowing for the transport of animals and perishable goods, on both medium and long-haul flights.

Air Cargo Is Our Specialty

If you’re in need of assistance shipping cargo, look no further. Grand Aire has been a leading air service provider for over 35 years.  Our Logistics Specialists are accessible 24/7/365 to provide you with the best air transportation options available.  Simply call 1-800-74-GRAND or email our team at logistics@grandaire.com