Freight only on a passenger plane
 

Can a pax 777/787 or 767 make money just carrying belly freight?

I am only proposing this as freight rates are rising dramatically and airlines have a lot of wide bodies sitting around.

And gas prices are way low

Of course. I’m sure their very limited on goods their able to carry- some money is better than no money.

I remember reading an article years ago which said that the belly of a 777 can carry the equivalent bulk of a 757 freighter. Don't know if that's is completely accurate, but I'm sure these wide-bodies carrying freight could at least offset some of the fixed cost of them just sitting around.

Freight is more profitable then passengers.
Has been for a long time.

Delta is flying trans- Atlantic cargo in passenger aircraft...at least they announced that they would

Back in the olden days, Eastern had an A300 redeye from the East Coast to the West Coast. No check baggage because the hold was full of cargo. Carry on only and the fares were dirt cheap. Why? because the freight paid for the flight and the profit. Anything on the passenger deck was gravy.

American is starting this with a 777

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/...me-since-1984/

We do it from time to time when the demand is up!