GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 16, 2026
Cargo Aircraft
A freight forwarder books air cargo capacity – but whether that space sits in the belly of a passenger jet or aboard a dedicated cargo aircraft has direct operational consequences for what can actually be shipped.
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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_aircraft
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Definition & Explanation
A freight forwarder books air cargo capacity – but whether that space sits in the belly of a passenger jet or aboard a dedicated cargo aircraft has direct operational consequences for what can actually be shipped. A cargo aircraft is a plane purpose-built or converted exclusively for freight, with no passenger seating and a fuselage fully configured for pallets, ULD containers, and outsized loads. Reinforced floors, large cargo doors, and integrated loading systems allow payloads that belly-hold operations simply cannot handle. Integrated carriers such as FedEx and UPS operate their own all-cargo fleets; forwarders also contract capacity from pure-play freight airlines or charter entire aircraft for specific missions. The term is distinct from belly cargo, where freight travels in the lower deck of a scheduled passenger service – a solution with inherently tighter weight and size constraints.
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