In this paper compressive characteristics of composite egg-box panels were investigated and energy absorption was calculated from the nominal stress-strain relations obtained by the compressive tests. Several different stacking sequences and number of plies were introduced for investigation of static compression characteristics and the energy absorption rates of composite egg-box panels. The compressive stress-strain relation and energy absorption of various composite egg-box panels were compared with those of aluminium egg-box panels. From the test results it was found that the fracture behavior of composite egg-box panel was affected by stacking angle causing different local deformation, during lay-up and draping processes and types of prepreg; that is, plain weave carbon/epoxy and 4-harness satin glass/epoxy. The energy absorption capacity of composite egg-box panels were proved to be higher than that of aluminium egg-box panels with low mass.