The short answer
There’s no single weight that’s “too heavy” for air freight. The real limits come from three places: the aircraft, the container or pallet your cargo rides on, and the point where flying it stops making financial sense.
As a working rule:
- Up to about 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) fits in a standard lower-deck LD3 container on most widebody passenger flights.
- Up to about 6,800 kg (15,000 lb) per position fits on a standard 96 x 125-inch PMC pallet on a widebody or freighter main deck.
- Single pieces heavier than that, or cargo taller than a pallet position allows, need a freighter or a charter, and that’s where ocean freight often becomes the smarter call.
Here’s how to tell which side of the line your shipment falls on.
Air cargo weight limits by container and aircraft
Air cargo flies in unit load devices (ULDs), the airline’s standardized containers and pallets. Each ULD has a certified maximum gross weight that includes the container itself, so your usable payload is a little lower.
| Where it flies | Typical ULD | Max gross weight | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrowbody belly (A320 family) | LD3-45 | about 1,135 kg (2,500 lb) | Small, urgent shipments on regional routes |
| Widebody belly (777, 787, A350) | LD3 container (AKE) | 1,588 kg (3,500 lb) | Cartons and boxed goods |
| Widebody lower deck | PMC pallet | about 5,000 kg (11,100 lb) | Palletized cargo on passenger flights |
| Freighter main deck (747F, 777F) | PMC pallet | 6,804 kg (15,000 lb) | Heavy or bulky palletized freight |
| Freighter main deck, long positions | 20-ft pallet | about 11,300–13,600 kg (25,000–30,000 lb) | Machinery, vehicles, project cargo |
Two other limits matter as much as total weight:
- Floor loading. Aircraft floors are rated by weight per square foot. A dense, heavy piece with a small footprint may need shoring boards to spread the load, even if it’s well under the pallet limit.
- Door and height clearance. A lower-deck container tops out around 163 cm (64 in) tall. Taller pieces need a main-deck position, which usually means a freighter.
When “too heavy” really means “better by ocean”
Almost anything can fly if you’re willing to pay for it. Large freighters carry well over 100 tonnes, and charter aircraft move turbines, locomotives, and even other aircraft. The better question is whether your shipment should fly.
Air freight usually wins when:
- The cargo is time-critical: production-line parts, perishables, trade show freight, or anything where a delay costs more than the freight.
- The cargo is high-value relative to its weight: electronics, pharmaceuticals, precision instruments.
- The shipment fits on standard pallets or in standard containers on scheduled flights.
Ocean freight usually wins when:
- The shipment is dense and heavy with no hard deadline. Machinery, building materials, and full household moves often cost a fraction as much by sea.
- Single pieces exceed pallet limits or need a main-deck position that only freighters offer, which narrows your options and raises the price.
- You can plan a few weeks ahead.
For oversized or overweight cargo that does need to fly, there are options: freighter-only routings, multi-position bookings, and full or part charters. These take more planning, more paperwork, and an experienced forwarder to coordinate crating, shoring, and airline approvals.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the heaviest single piece that can go on a passenger flight? It depends on the airline and aircraft, but most pieces above a few hundred kilograms need a pallet position, and anything above roughly 1,500 kg generally needs a widebody main deck or a freighter. Your forwarder confirms piece limits with the airline before booking.
Does the pallet’s own weight count? Yes. ULD weight limits are gross, including the container or pallet and its net. Crating and dunnage count too.
Is air freight priced per kilo? Yes, per kilo of chargeable weight, with minimum charges and surcharges for fuel, security, and handling on top.
Can my forwarder split a heavy shipment across flights? Often, yes. Splitting can get cargo moving faster when space is tight, as long as the pieces can travel separately.
Not sure if your shipment should fly?
Current International’s team brings more than 60 years of combined experience in logistics and international freight. We’ll look at your cargo’s weight, dimensions, value, and deadline and give you an honest recommendation, whether that’s air freight, ocean freight, or a mix of both. Request a quote or call us at (424) 422-1308.