Boeing 747-400 vs. Airbus A340-600
Both the Boeing 747-400 and the Airbus A340-600 are long-haul widebody aircraft capable of carrying not only passengers and their baggage but also significant amounts of additional cargo in their belly holds. This belly freight, often referred to as “bulk” or “belly cargo,” is a key revenue component for airlines on intercontinental routes.
To make optimal use of the available underfloor space, both aircraft types are compatible with unit load devices (ULDs) — specifically LD1 and LD3 containers, which allow for efficient handling, stacking, and segregation of luggage and cargo.
Boeing 747-400 – Cargo Capacity
The Boeing 747-400 is a large, four-engine widebody aircraft with a very high cargo capacity owing to its size and main deck volume.
- Total lower deck cargo volume (when used in a passenger configuration):
Approx. 5,400 ft³ (153 m³) - Maximum payload in cargo space (typical, passenger version):
Approx. 20 to 26 tonnes of available cargo capacity after accommodating passenger baggage - ULD Compatibility:
The 747-400 can carry both LD1 and LD3 containers (depending on airline configuration), but LD1s are typically more used on Boeing widebodies.- Typical configuration: 28–32 LD1s or LD3s in the lower forward and aft cargo compartments
- Main Deck Cargo (freighter only):
The 747-400F (freighter version) offers over 700 m³ of space, but this is not available in the passenger version.
Extra Cargo Capacity Over Passenger Baggage:
Even with a full passenger load, the 747-400 typically offers 12–20 tonnes of spare capacity in the belly hold for commercial cargo, depending on baggage load and flight duration (fuel weight).
Airbus A340-600 – Cargo Capacity
The Airbus A340-600 is the longest version of the A340 family and one of the longest commercial aircraft in the world. While narrower than the 747, it still offers generous cargo volume in the belly compartments.
- Total lower deck cargo volume:
Approx. 5,100 ft³ (144 m³) - Maximum payload in cargo space (passenger version):
Approx. 18 to 22 tonnes, depending on configuration and fuel load - ULD Compatibility:
The A340-600 is designed around LD3 containers, which are standard for Airbus widebodies.- Typical configuration: Around 32–36 LD3 containers (mixed between forward and aft holds)
- Extra Cargo Capacity Over Passenger Baggage:
After accounting for passenger baggage, airlines can typically allocate 10–16 tonnes for additional freight on international routes.
LD1 vs. LD3 Containers
- LD3 Container (AKE):
- Dimensions: 1.534 m (L) × 1.534 m (W) × 1.63 m (H)
- Volume: ~4.3 m³
- Used primarily in Airbus widebodies (A330, A340, A350)
- LD1 Container (ALF):
- Slightly wider than the LD3
- Dimensions: 1.534 m (L) × 1.78 m (W) × 1.63 m (H)
- Volume: ~4.6 m³
- Common on Boeing 747 and some 777 aircraft
The key point is that Airbus fuselages are optimized for LD3 containers, allowing tight packing in a 2-wide configuration across the width of the belly hold, while Boeing aircraft (especially the 747) can accommodate larger or variable LD-size ULDs, including LD1s.
Summary Table
| Aircraft | Total Cargo Volume (Lower Deck) | Typical Extra Cargo Load (beyond pax baggage) | Container Type | Approx. Container Capacity |
| Boeing 747-400 | ~5,400 ft³ (153 m³) | 12–20 tonnes | LD1 / LD3 | 28–32 LD1s or LD3s |
| Airbus A340-600 | ~5,100 ft³ (144 m³) | 10–16 tonnes | LD3 only | 32–36 LD3s |
Conclusion
While both the Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340-600 offer strong cargo uplift capability in passenger service, the 747-400 has the edge in terms of overall cargo volume and flexibility, partly due to its wider fuselage and its ability to carry larger LD1 containers or pallets. The A340-600, though more limited in volume, benefits from high container density using LD3s and still provides significant additional capacity beyond passenger needs.
This makes both aircraft attractive not only for long-haul passenger service but also for mixed-use with high-value belly freight, such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, or e-commerce goods.
Thank you for your clarification, Klaus. Let’s revisit the cargo capacities of the Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340-600 in their passenger configurations, focusing on their payload capabilities and underfloor cargo capacities using LD3 containers.
Boeing 747-400 (Passenger Version)
- Maximum Payload: Approximately 43.5 tonnes.
- Underfloor Cargo Volume: Approximately 151 m³.
- ULD Compatibility: The 747-400’s lower deck accommodates LD1 and LD3 containers.
Airbus A340-600 (Passenger Version)
- Maximum Payload: Approximately 55.6 tonnes.
- Underfloor Cargo Volume: Approximately 207.6 m³.
- ULD Compatibility: The A340-600’s lower deck is designed for LD3 containers.(Scribd)
Comparison Summary
| Aircraft | Maximum Payload | Underfloor Cargo Volume | ULD Compatibility |
| Boeing 747-400 | ~43.5 tonnes | ~151 m³ | LD1, LD3 |
| Airbus A340-600 | ~55.6 tonnes | ~207.6 m³ | LD3 |
The Airbus A340-600 offers a higher maximum payload and greater underfloor cargo volume compared to the Boeing 747-400 in their passenger configurations.
Great question, Klaus. Let’s break down the cargo space allocation in the passenger configurations of the Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340-600, distinguishing between:
- Passenger baggage (typically reserved in the lower deck holds)
- Available cargo space for freight (what remains for additional cargo)
- Space in ULDs (typically LD1 or LD3 containers)
1. Boeing 747-400 (Passenger Version)
- Maximum Lower Deck Payload Capacity: ~43.5 tonnes
- Cargo Volume: ~151 m³
▸ ULD Capacity:
- Can accommodate up to 32 LD1 or LD3 containers in the lower deck
- Typical LD1 weight capacity: ~1,500–1,600 kg
- 32 × 1.5 tonnes = ~48 tonnes theoretical (volume-limited before weight)
▸ Passenger Baggage Allocation:
- Assume full passenger load (~416 passengers in a typical 3-class config)
- Average checked baggage: ~20–23 kg/passenger
- Total baggage: ~9–10 tonnes
▸ Remaining Cargo Capacity:
- After baggage: ~33–34 tonnes available for freight in LD1/LD3 containers
2. Airbus A340-600 (Passenger Version)
- Maximum Lower Deck Payload Capacity: ~55–56 tonnes
- Cargo Volume: ~207.6 m³
▸ ULD Capacity:
- Up to 40 LD3 containers in the lower deck
- LD3 typical weight: ~1,300–1,500 kg
- 40 × 1.4 tonnes = ~56 tonnes theoretical (again, volume-limited before weight)
▸ Passenger Baggage Allocation:
- Assume full passenger load (~380 passengers in typical config)
- Average checked baggage: ~20–23 kg/passenger
- Total baggage: ~8–9 tonnes
▸ Remaining Cargo Capacity:
- After baggage: ~47–48 tonnes available for freight in LD3 containers
Comparison Table
| Category | B747-400 (Pax) | A340-600 (Pax) |
| Max lower deck payload (tonnes) | ~43.5 t | ~55–56 t |
| Total LD1/LD3 ULDs | ~32 ULDs | ~40 LD3s |
| Avg baggage load (full pax) | ~9–10 t | ~8–9 t |
| Remaining freight capacity | ~33–34 t | ~47–48 t |
| Volume (lower deck) | ~151 m³ | ~207.6 m³ |
Summary
- The Airbus A340-600 offers significantly more space and payload for cargo in passenger configuration, with roughly 13–15 tonnes more available than the 747-400 after passenger baggage is accounted for.
- Both aircraft use ULDs efficiently — the 747 favors LD1 or LD3, while the A340 is designed around LD3s, packed 2-abreast in the lower deck.