Regan Brown
The cost of military jet fuel is a topic of interest, especially when considering the financial planning for military operations and defence budgets. Jet fuel prices, known as Jet A1, fluctuate and are closely tied to the ever-changing price of oil. As of January 2022, Jet A1 was priced at approximately $816 per metric tonne, or $0.82 per KG, but this varies daily and has been influenced by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw prices drop to around $200 per metric tonne in May 2020. The cost to fill a military jet, such as the Harrier Fighter Jet, with jet fuel is estimated to be around $9,500, with the price per gallon at about $3.94. These prices can vary depending on the fuel supplier and the specific jet's fuel capacity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jet A1 price as of January 2022 | $816 per metric tonne |
| Jet A1 price in May 2020 | $200 per metric tonne |
| Jet A1 price in January 2021 | $430 per metric tonne |
| Price of Jet A1 with FSII additive | $8.36 per gallon |
| Global average jet fuel price in the reported week | $90.21/bbl |
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What You'll Learn
The cost of filling up a Harrier Fighter Jet
The Harrier Fighter Jet has a fuel capacity of 7,500 pounds or 3,400 kilograms. This amounts to approximately 1,125 gallons, depending on the temperature of the fuel.
Alternatively, the US Navy and USMC use JP5 fuel, which they purchase at a fixed price of $4.46 per gallon. Using this type of fuel, filling up the Harrier's internal tanks would cost approximately $4,906. If the jet also carried two 300-gallon drop tanks, the total cost would increase to $7,582.
It is worth noting that the price of jet fuel, specifically Jet A1, has fluctuated over time and varies depending on the region and supplier. As of January 2022, the price of Jet A1 was approximately $816 per metric tonne, or $0.82 per kilogram. The price of jet fuel is closely aligned with the price of oil, which can vary daily.
The fuel consumption of fighter jets is a critical factor in their operational efficiency and logistics strategy. It influences the range, duration of operations, and payload-carrying capacity. Fighter jets may experience irregular fuel consumption due to frequent changes in speed and altitude during combat and training missions. Additionally, in-flight refueling can increase fuel consumption due to the maneuvers required to position the aircraft with the tanker.
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The cost of jet fuel per gallon
The price of jet fuel per gallon varies depending on several factors, including the region, demand, and the price of oil, which fluctuates daily. As of January 2022, the price of Jet A1, a type of aviation fuel, was approximately $816 per metric tonne, which equates to about $0.82 per KG or £0.61 per KG. This price was nearly double what it was a year prior in January 2021 when Jet A1 was approximately $430 per metric tonne or about $0.43 per KG.
Due to the collapse in oil prices caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, jet fuel prices experienced significant fluctuations. For example, in May 2020, the price of Jet A1 was as low as $200 per metric tonne, equivalent to around $0.20 per KG, reflecting a 69% decrease compared to the previous 12 months.
The cost of jet fuel also depends on the specific aircraft and the distance travelled. For instance, a Boeing 747-400 Jumbo Jet flying from London to New York burns approximately 70,000 kilograms of fuel, which equates to 82,300 litres. The fuel cost for this route is approximately £53,500 or $64,300, working out to £118, €141, or $158 per person, assuming 450 passengers on board.
Additionally, it is important to consider hedging practices by airlines, where they agree on a constant price for fuel for a set period. For example, an airline may commit to paying $600 per metric tonne, protecting them from price increases but also resulting in higher costs if the market price drops. Hedging is typically based on purchasing a set quantity of fuel, and airlines may incur financial losses if they stop flying and do not utilise the hedged fuel.
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How much does it cost to fill an A380?
The Airbus A380 is a full-length double-deck aircraft that typically seats 525 passengers, with a maximum certified capacity of 853 passengers. It has a fuel capacity of approximately 315,000 litres. As of January 2022, the price of Jet A1 fuel was approximately $816 per metric tonne, or $0.82 per KG. This equates to roughly £205,000 to fill an A380.
The cost of filling an A380 can vary depending on the price of oil, which fluctuates daily. For example, in May 2020, the price of Jet A1 fuel was $200 per metric tonne, or $0.20 per KG, due to the collapse in oil prices caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cost of fuel for an airline operating an A380 can also depend on the concept of "hedging," where a constant price is agreed upon for a set period. For instance, an airline might hedge 5 million tonnes of fuel at $600 per metric tonne for 12 months, which helps reduce risk and fixed costs for financial planning.
The A380's development cost was estimated at $25 billion, and its list price as of 2016 was US$432.6 million. However, negotiated discounts lowered the actual purchase prices, and industry experts questioned whether the project would ever pay for itself.
In comparison, a Harrier Fighter Jet, which can hold approximately 1,125 gallons of fuel, would cost around $9,405 to fill up with Jet A fuel, which is what military aircraft typically use when sourcing fuel from non-military suppliers.
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The price of Jet A1
The cost of jet fuel also depends on the specific aircraft and the distance travelled. For instance, a Boeing 747-400 Jumbo Jet flying from London to New York burns approximately 70,000 kilograms of fuel, resulting in a fuel cost of approximately £53,500. This works out to about £118 per passenger, based on 450 passengers. Airlines manage their fuel costs through a practice known as "hedging," where they agree on a fixed fuel price for a set period to reduce financial risks and aid planning.
According to a June 2022 source, the price of Jet A fuel with an FSII additive, which is commonly used by military aircraft when sourcing fuel from non-military suppliers, was $8.36 per gallon. This price is higher than the price of JP-8, which is used by Harrier fighter jets and was priced at $3.94 per gallon at the time.
As of July 2025, the price of Jet A1 fuel in the United States was 88.3 bbl/$. However, it's important to note that the actual prices paid by airlines can vary substantially due to hedging practices and regional demand influencing spot prices.
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$39.96
How the price of jet fuel is determined
The price of jet fuel is influenced by various factors and can vary significantly depending on the region and the type of jet fuel being purchased.
One of the key factors influencing jet fuel prices is the price of crude oil, which is used as a feedstock to produce jet fuel. Jet fuel prices tend to move in tandem with crude oil prices, which can fluctuate daily based on global supply and demand dynamics. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, jet fuel prices dropped significantly due to the collapse in oil prices.
The cost of jet fuel is also impacted by regional demand and market dynamics. For example, the price of jet fuel in the US as of 2025 is reported to be around $6.26 per gallon on average, with prices varying across different regions within the country. The FAA Alaska region has the highest jet fuel prices, while the FAA Central region reports the lowest prices.
Additionally, the type of jet fuel being purchased can also affect the price. For instance, Jet A1 fuel, commonly used in commercial aviation, was priced at approximately $816 per metric ton (or $0.82 per KG) as of January 2022. On the other hand, military jet fuels, such as JP-8 or Jet A with FSII additive, can have different pricing structures and may be more expensive due to specialized requirements and supply chain dynamics.
Furthermore, the way airlines purchase fuel can also impact the price they pay. Airlines often engage in "hedging," where they agree on a constant price for fuel for a set period, helping them reduce risks and fixed costs. By hedging, airlines can lock in fuel prices and protect themselves from volatile market fluctuations.
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Frequently asked questions
It would cost around $9,500 to fill up a Harrier Fighter Jet with JP-8 fuel, which is priced at $3.94 per gallon.
Jet A with FSII additive, which is what military aircraft typically use, costs $8.36 per gallon.
As of January 2022, Jet A1 fuel costs approximately $816 per metric tonne, which is about double what it cost a year prior.
The A380 can hold approximately 315,000 litres of fuel, so it would cost approximately £205,000 to fill it up.
A Boeing 747-400 Jumbo Jet burns approximately 70,000 kilograms of fuel when flying from London to New York. This equates to about £53,500, or £118 per person if the plane has 450 passengers.
