In late 2025, a video of a Kalitta Air cargo jet making a hard landing and a dicey go-around at Miami International started circulating on Reddit, accumulating nearly 2,000 upvotes. This unusual incident brought attention to the Boeing 777-300ERSF, a passenger-to-freighter conversion developed by Israel Aerospace Industries in partnership with lessor AerCap. The aircraft's unique design features, including a large main-deck cargo door, sparked widespread interest among aviation enthusiasts and industry professionals.
The aircraft is the result of an engineering process that is considerably more invasive than the name suggests. It takes retired 777-300ER passenger jets and converts them into heavy freighters through a series of complex modifications. The end result is an aircraft with significantly increased cargo capacity, making it an attractive option for airlines seeking to expand their e-commerce routes.
The program received its Supplemental Type Certificate from both the FAA and Israel's Civil Aviation Authority after an extensive testing campaign, clearing the way for AerCap to begin delivering aircraft to customers. Kalitta Air, a Michigan-based cargo carrier that signed on as launch operator in 2020, received its first two converted jets in September 2025 and had taken delivery of seven aircraft by the end of the year.
What It Actually Takes To Turn A Passenger 777 Into A Freighter
The conversion process is a game-changer for the cargo industry, offering a faster and more cost-effective solution.
