Boeing 747-400 freighter variants
Potential high-capacity freighter options for scheduled cargo ACMI, peak programmes and dedicated whole-aircraft charter.
- Production freighters
- 747-400F · 747-400ERF
- Converted freighters
- 747-400BCF · 747-400BDSF
- Related 747-400 variants
- 747-400 passenger · 747-400LCF
Examples for assessment and comparison, not confirmed inventory. An aircraft is considered available only after confirmation by ACMI Lease and, where applicable, by the responsible AOC holder for the proposed programme.
ACMI Lease assesses Boeing 747-400F cargo ACMI lease and full-charter requirements for airlines, freight forwarders and organisations needing high-capacity aircraft. Potential uses include scheduled cargo routes, seasonal uplift, fleet replacement, heavy freight and shipments that require main-deck loading.
The 747-400F designation should not be applied to every 747-400 cargo aircraft. Production freighters, extended-range freighters and passenger-to-freighter conversions have different structures, loading features and performance references. The proposed variant must match the actual cargo and route.
Request Boeing 747-400F capacity
Boeing 747-400F indicative range map
Select a 747-400 passenger or freighter reference and choose the departure airport or a point on the map to explore its published radius.
B747-400F indicative range
Select a departure airport or click the map to explore the reference radius.
Boeing 747-400 variant guide
| Variant | Type | Commercial distinction |
|---|---|---|
| 747-400F | Production freighter | Purpose-built cargo aircraft with production-freighter loading features; assess payload, volume, route and airport handling. |
| 747-400ERF | Extended-range freighter | Production freighter with a different weight and range basis; do not substitute standard 747-400F figures. |
| 747-400BCF | Converted freighter | Passenger-to-freighter conversion; loading and payload-range references are conversion- and aircraft-specific. |
| 747-400BDSF | Converted freighter | A separate passenger-to-freighter conversion standard; confirm the precise configuration and approved operating data. |
| 747-400 | Passenger | Passenger aircraft assessed separately for high-capacity charter or ACMI; it is not a 747-400F. |
| 747-400LCF | Specialised transport | Highly specialised large-cargo aircraft shown only as a family reference; not ordinary commercial charter inventory. |
The Boeing 747-8F is a separate 747 generation and is not the same aircraft as the 747-400F. Any 747-8F requirement should be identified and assessed separately.
Cargo ACMI lease for scheduled capacity
A Boeing 747-400F cargo ACMI lease may support an airline that requires recurring high-capacity uplift without separately sourcing the aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance. The proposed schedule must allow for aircraft positioning, crew planning, maintenance support and the handling arrangements at each airport.
Provide the operating base, routes, frequencies, programme dates, expected monthly block hours and typical sector length. In addition, state whether the demand is stable, seasonal or intended to cover another aircraft. These details affect both commercial feasibility and fleet planning.
For the wider service structure, visit Cargo ACMI Lease. That page explains recurring and seasonal freighter capacity, while this page addresses the Boeing 747-400 family specifically.
Boeing 747-400F full cargo charter
A full cargo charter provides dedicated aircraft capacity for an agreed flight or series. A 747-400 freighter may be considered for heavy, high-volume or time-sensitive cargo when the shipment, route and airports suit the aircraft.
The enquiry should include the commodity, dimensions and weight of each piece, total payload, dangerous-goods status, loading equipment and required dates. Oversized freight must be checked against the applicable door, main-deck and restraint limits rather than judged from total weight alone.
For shipment-led enquiries, see Air Cargo Charter. A recurring airline operation should instead be submitted as a cargo ACMI requirement.
Production and converted 747-400 freighters
Production 747-400F and 747-400ERF aircraft were designed as freighters. Their loading capability includes features that should not automatically be assumed for aircraft converted from passenger service. In particular, a converted freighter generally does not offer the production freighter’s nose-loading arrangement.
The 747-400BCF and 747-400BDSF use different conversion standards. Main-deck layout, approved weights and payload-range data must be checked for the actual aircraft. A generic request for “B747 Cargo” is therefore not enough when the shipment requires a specific loading method.
If either a production or converted freighter could work, state the cargo dimensions and handling requirements rather than limiting the request prematurely. The available aircraft can then be assessed against the real shipment or programme.
Airport and handling requirements
A suitable runway length alone does not confirm that an airport can support a 747-400 freighter operation. Pavement strength, parking position, taxiway restrictions, ground equipment, loading access, operating hours and local permissions may all affect feasibility.
For nose-loaded or outsized cargo, the handling plan must account for the required loaders, cranes, clearance and positioning of the aircraft. Confirm the origin and destination handling capability early, particularly when the airports do not routinely process Boeing 747 freighters.
Understanding the 747-400 range map
The map uses separate published or clearly labelled reference values for the supported 747-400 variants. Passenger, production-freighter and converted-freighter figures use different mission and payload assumptions, so their circles should not be interpreted as a direct performance ranking.
Actual capability depends on the exact aircraft, engines, certified weight, freighter or conversion standard, payload, fuel reserves, winds, routing and airport performance. The responsible AOC holder must complete the operational calculation using approved aircraft data.
Passenger Boeing 747-400 requests
The passenger 747-400 belongs to the same aircraft family but serves a different market from the 747-400F. A passenger ACMI or full-charter request should provide the required seats, cabin layout, baggage assumptions, routes and programme dates.
Passenger availability must be confirmed independently. The presence of a passenger reference in the map does not imply that an aircraft is available or that its range figure applies to any freighter variant.
How Boeing 747-400F capacity may be provided
A proposed solution may involve aircraft owned or managed by ACMI Lease, aircraft placed or dry-leased with partner AOC holders, aircraft acquired or financed with our involvement, established AOC-partner capacity, or selected third-party capacity. The structure depends on the aircraft and programme.
Under a standard wet lease, the supplying AOC holder provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance and retains the applicable operational responsibilities. The lessee may use its airline designator and flight number when permitted, but the flight number does not determine which AOC governs the operation.
For a general explanation of the ACMI structure, see what an ACMI lease includes.
Request Boeing 747-400F capacity
For an initial assessment, send:
- Cargo ACMI or full-charter requirement and acceptable 747-400 variants.
- Origin, destination, operating base and proposed schedule.
- Start date, duration and any timing flexibility.
- Total payload, cargo volume, dimensions and weight of unusual pieces.
- Pallet or container requirements, dangerous goods and special handling.
- Whether nose loading is required or side-door loading is acceptable.
- For ACMI: monthly block hours, sectors, frequencies and typical sector length.
- Budget guidance and any aircraft-age, technical or regulatory restrictions.
Use the aircraft request form below and choose ACMI for an airline cargo programme or FULL CHARTER for a dedicated shipment or defined series.
Boeing 747-400F questions
Is every Boeing 747 cargo aircraft a 747-400F?
No. The 747 cargo family includes production freighters, extended-range freighters, converted aircraft and other generations. The exact designation determines the relevant loading and performance data.
Are the aircraft shown on this page currently available?
Not necessarily. They are potential reference variants, not confirmed inventory. Availability must be established for the specific aircraft, date, route, cargo and commercial structure.
Does the map confirm that the shipment can fly nonstop?
No. It shows an indicative reference radius. The exact aircraft, payload, loading plan, fuel reserves, weather, routing and airport performance determine whether a proposed mission is feasible.
Send your Boeing 747-400F requirement. Every proposed programme remains subject to confirmation by ACMI Lease and, where applicable, by the responsible AOC holder, together with aircraft availability, operational feasibility, regulatory approval and agreed commercial terms.