Mercedes Mullins
The Boeing 747 is an iconic aircraft that revolutionised commercial aviation as the first double-decker passenger jet. The 747-8 is the latest iteration of the aircraft, with a range of 8,875 nautical miles (16,437 km). Fuel is the single largest cost of operating any aircraft, and the 747-8 is equipped with four massive engines. While actual fuel burn figures are generally kept secret, estimates place the hourly fuel cost for a 747-8 at around $6,000, with a full tank costing up to $450,000. This contributes to the overall high cost of operating the 747-8, which has a per-hour operating cost of around $25,000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel cost | $50,000-$150,000 for a full tank or $6,053.42 per hour |
| Fuel capacity | 63,000 gallons |
| Fuel burn | 3,143 gallons per hour |
| Fuel burn per second | 0.9 gallons |
| Fuel efficiency | 100 miles per gallon per person |
| Per-hour operating costs | $25,000 |
| Per-hour capital costs | $1,266.67 |
| Engine overhaul costs | $13 million per engine |
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What You'll Learn
- Fuel burn rate: A 747-8 burns 3,143 gallons of fuel per hour
- Fuel prices: Jet fuel costs $2-$5 per gallon
- Total fuel cost: It costs $50,000-$150,000 to fill up a 747-8
- Fuel efficiency: The 747-8 is more fuel-efficient than the 747-400
- Fuel vs. other costs: Fuel is the largest cost, but maintenance and crew salaries are also high
Fuel burn rate: A 747-8 burns 3,143 gallons of fuel per hour
The Boeing 747 is a massive and expensive aircraft to keep in the air. Fuel costs are the largest expense for operating any aircraft, and the 747 has four massive engines. The 747-8 is the latest iteration of the aircraft, and while it is equipped with fuel-efficient next-generation jet engines, it is also larger and heavier than previous models, which increases fuel burn.
The 747-8 uses the General Electric GEnx-2B engine, a scaled-down version of the 787's GEnx engines. The actual fuel burn rate is generally kept secret, but estimates place it at around 3,143 gallons (13,968 liters) of jet fuel per hour. This burn rate assumes a 3% reduction in nominal fuel burn compared to the previous model, the 747-400, which burned 3,240 gallons (14,400 liters) per hour.
The cost of jet fuel varies by region and can fluctuate over time. In 2023, jet fuel prices ranged from $4 per gallon in Burlington, WI, to $10 per gallon in major markets like Teterboro. The IATA reported an average jet fuel price of 192.6 cents per gallon worldwide in 2025, which would make the fuel cost for a 747-8 around $6,053.42 per hour. However, these costs can be significantly higher for long international flights, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 or more.
The fuel burn rate of the 747-8 is also affected by various factors, including speed, altitude, aircraft weight, engines, and aircraft age. Later-built planes are equipped with Performance Improvement Packages (PIPs) that can reduce fuel burn. Additionally, the number of flight crews required for longer flights can increase operating costs.
Overall, the Boeing 747-8 is a large and powerful aircraft with significant fuel requirements. While the exact fuel burn rate and costs can vary, it is clear that operating this aircraft entails substantial expenses, making it one of the most expensive aircraft to fly today.
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Fuel prices: Jet fuel costs $2-$5 per gallon
Fuel is the single largest cost of operating any aircraft, and the Boeing 747 is no exception. The 747 has four massive engines that require a lot of fuel to keep the aircraft running. The latest iteration, the 747-8, is equipped with fuel-efficient next-generation jet engines that are cheaper to run than older models. However, the cost of fuel can vary depending on various factors, and jet fuel prices can fluctuate between $2 and $5 per gallon.
At the lower end of the price spectrum, jet fuel costs around $2 per gallon. This price point is often the result of negotiated discounts or bulk purchasing agreements. Airlines may also take advantage of variable fuel prices across different regions to secure more competitive rates. Additionally, the age and condition of the aircraft can impact fuel efficiency, with older 747 models being less fuel-efficient than newer variants.
On the other hand, jet fuel prices can reach up to $5 per gallon or even more during periods of high demand or when supply is constrained. Unforeseen events, such as natural disasters or geopolitical conflicts, can also influence fuel prices, causing them to spike temporarily. In such cases, the cost of fueling a 747 for a long international flight can easily exceed $100,000.
The variable fuel prices across different regions also play a role in the overall fuel costs for airlines. For example, the FAA Alaska region typically reports higher jet fuel prices compared to other regions in the United States. As a result, airlines may need to factor in higher fueling costs when operating flights to or from this region.
While the 747-8 is a more fuel-efficient aircraft compared to its predecessors, the overall fuel costs can still be significant due to the sheer size and power of the plane. A full tank of fuel for a 747 can weigh over 300,000 pounds, and the plane consumes approximately 1 gallon (about 4 liters) of fuel every second during flight. As a result, the total fuel costs for a 747-8 can vary widely depending on the duration of the flight, the number of passengers, and the specific operating conditions.
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Total fuel cost: It costs $50,000-$150,000 to fill up a 747-8
The Boeing 747 is one of the most iconic aircraft ever to take to the skies. It was the first double-decker passenger jet and revolutionized commercial aviation. The 747-8 is the latest iteration of the aircraft, with a range of 8,875 nautical miles (16,437 km). It is capable of carrying up to 410 passengers.
The cost of fuel is the single largest expense of operating any aircraft, and the Boeing 747 has four massive engines. The 747-8 is equipped with General Electric GEnx-2B67, fuel-efficient next-generation jet engines that are cheaper to run than older models. However, the 747-8 is larger and heavier, which increases fuel consumption.
The total fuel capacity of a Boeing 747 is approximately 63,000 gallons, with slight variations between models. Jet fuel prices fluctuate and vary by region, ranging from $2 to $10 per gallon. With these factors in mind, the cost of filling up a 747-8 can range from $50,000 to $150,000 or more for a long international flight.
In addition to fuel costs, other significant expenses associated with operating a 747-8 include maintenance, crew salary, and insurance. Engine overhauls, for example, can cost $1-2 million per plane annually. As such, the total hourly operating cost of a 747-8 can be upwards of $25,000.
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Fuel efficiency: The 747-8 is more fuel-efficient than the 747-400
The Boeing 747 is an iconic aircraft that was discontinued as a passenger airliner in 2023. The 747-8 is the latest iteration of the aircraft, with a range of 8,875 NM (16,437 km). It is one of the most expensive aircraft to fly today, with high fuel, maintenance, crew salary, and insurance costs.
The 747-8 is equipped with General Electric GEnx-2B67 jet engines, which are next-generation fuel-efficient engines that are cheaper to run than the older models. The GEnx-2B engine consumes 15% less fuel than the CF6 engine, which was contemporary to the PW4084 engine used in the 747-400. This is due to the GEnx-2B engine's higher bypass ratio, which provides more thrust from fan air, allowing the core section to use less air and less fuel. The 747-8's engines are also larger and heavier, but the increase in fuel efficiency more than offsets these costs.
In addition to the improved fuel efficiency of the 747-8's engines, the newer model also has a 30% smaller noise footprint and requires less maintenance than its predecessor. The 747-8 has longer maintenance intervals, resulting in less time on the ground compared to the 747-400.
The 747-8 is a significant improvement over the 747-400 in terms of fuel efficiency, with a 16% reduction in carbon emissions, according to Boeing. However, despite the technological and efficiency enhancements, the 747-8 did not achieve the same level of commercial success as its predecessor, selling only 58 units compared to over 540 units of the 747-400.
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Fuel vs. other costs: Fuel is the largest cost, but maintenance and crew salaries are also high
The Boeing 747 is one of the most expensive aircraft to fly today. The 747-8, the latest iteration of the aircraft, is a quad-engine jumbo jet with a range of 8,875 nautical miles (16,437 km). The cost of fuel is the single largest expense of operating any aircraft, and the Boeing 747 has four massive engines. For a long international flight, fueling a 747 can cost $50,000 to $150,000 or more, with jet fuel prices fluctuating between $2 and $5 per gallon. A 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile (12 litres of fuel per kilometre) or about 1 gallon (4 litres) of fuel every second. Over a 10-hour flight, it might burn 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel.
While fuel costs are the most significant, they are not the only expense. Maintenance is the second-highest cost, with routine maintenance checks and engine overhauls costing $1-2 million per plane annually. The 747-8's large airframe means more components to maintain, and more components mean more weight and more power, requiring more significant engines. Each GEnx engine of a 747-8 costs $13 million, so replacing all four engines would cost $52 million.
Crew salaries are also a significant expense. Pilots, co-pilots, and flight engineers for a 747 can cost up to $1,000 per flight hour, and long international flights may require 3-4 flight crews. Insurance is another cost, with policies on a 747 running $500,000-$1 million per year. Landing fees are incurred every time a 747 lands at an airport, with fees based on the aircraft's weight. A heavier plane like a 747 can incur $5,000-$7,500 in landing fees on a single flight.
When calculating the overall cost of operating a 747, it is essential to consider all these factors. While fuel costs are the most significant expense, maintenance, crew salaries, insurance, and landing fees also contribute significantly to the overall cost of operating this large and complex aircraft.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost of fuelling a 747-8 depends on various factors, such as the length of the flight, the weight of the aircraft, the number of passengers, and the price of jet fuel, which can vary by region and market. For example, in 2023, the cost of jet fuel ranged from $4 per gallon in Burlington, WI, to $10 per gallon in Teterboro. A 747-8 flight can cost upwards of $50,000 for fuel alone.
The fuel efficiency of a 747-8 is influenced by several factors, including speed, altitude, weight, engines, and aircraft age. The 747-8 is equipped with fuel-efficient engines, but its larger size and weight can increase fuel consumption.
The 747-8 has a lower fuel efficiency than its predecessor, the 747-400, burning around 3,143 gallons (13,968 litres) of fuel per hour. However, when considering the number of passengers, the 747-8 can achieve around 100 miles per gallon per person.
