A first network device transmits, to a second network device, a first indication indicating that the first network device is willing to transmit data to the second network device using an alignment mode for aligning protocol data units (PDUs) that include data with transport packets that encapsulate the PDUs for transmission of the data to the second network device. The first network device receives, from the second network device, a second indication indicating that the second network device is requesting use of the alignment mode for transmission of data from the first network device to the second network device. In response to transmitting the first indication to the second network device and receiving the second indication from the second network device, the first network device enables the alignment mode for transmission of data from the first network device to the second network device.