Preighter is a term attributed to Lufthansa and is used to described a passenger aircraft carrying cargo in the passenger cabin, generally on a temporary basis and link to emergency situation such as the COVID pandemic or humanitarian crises.
In a preighter:
- Or the seats are removed and the cargo is loaded and secured on the cabin’s floor.
- Or the seats remain in place and the cargo is loaded on and under the seats possibly using specifically designed cargo seat bags as shown here below.
The term itself derives from Passenger aircraft and fREIGHTER – the term used to designated traditional cargo aircrafts.
The preighter is not to be confused with the combi aircraft which has 2 separate fixed long term sections – one for passengers and one for cargo.