The present invention provides an air bearing pallet comprising a network of tethers oriented and connected between the upper and bottom sheets of a plenum chamber, which cause a system of indentations to become formed in the bottom sheet when the plenum chamber is inflated. Perforations in the bottom sheet enable air to escape thereby generating an air film below the chamber within the predefined system of indentations. The size, shape, depth, bottom surface tension/stiffness, airflow through, quantity and location of the indentations can be varied in order to optimize lifting performance and efficiency and reduce system level losses over irregularities and gaps in the support surface.