Katerina Swanson
The aviation industry's reliance on fossil fuels has been a significant contributor to global warming, with jet fuel powering modern commercial airliners and smaller planes using aviation gasoline. In 2019, aviation accounted for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, and its impact on climate change is even higher when considering other emitted gases and pollutants. The amount of fossil fuel burned by planes varies depending on the aircraft and route, with a Boeing 747 burning approximately 36,000 gallons of fuel during a 10-hour flight. While sustainable aviation fuel alternatives are available, they face political, technological, and economic barriers to widespread adoption. As global demand for air travel increases, the industry's transition to low-carbon fuels becomes more urgent to curb the rising emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fuel | Kerosene-based fuel, Aviation gasoline (avgas), Jet A, Jet A-1, Sustainable aviation fuel, Compressed natural gas (CNG), Liquified natural gas (LNG), Hydrogen fuel |
| Fuel consumption | Commercial airlines consumed 95 billion gallons of fuel in 2019, 52 billion gallons in 2020, 92 billion gallons in 2023, and 99 billion gallons in 2024 |
| Fuel efficiency | Boeing 747 uses 1 gallon of fuel per second, 36,000 gallons of fuel for a 10-hour flight, and 5 gallons of fuel per mile |
| Environmental impact | Aviation accounted for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions in 2019, contributing to a 4% increase in global warming |
| Alternatives | Sustainable aviation fuel, Aviation biofuel, Synthetic fuel ("e-jet"), Hydrogen fuel |
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What You'll Learn
Kerosene-based fuels are used for large planes
Kerosene-based fuels are the most common type of aviation fuel, used in gas turbine-powered aircraft, including large commercial airliners. Jet-A, a mix of extremely refined kerosene, powers modern commercial airliners and burns at temperatures at or above 49 °C (120 °F).
Kerosene has several advantages over other types of fuel. Firstly, it has a lower freezing point than gasoline, making it less likely to freeze at high altitudes. Kerosene also has a lower viscosity rating, meaning it is more watery and less thick or "gummy" than gasoline. This prevents highly viscous fuels from clogging up internal channels in an airplane's engine. Additionally, kerosene has a higher flash point than gasoline, meaning it requires a significantly higher temperature to ignite. This makes it safer to handle and store.
Kerosene is also a cost-effective option for the aviation industry. It is significantly cheaper than gasoline, sometimes costing less than half the price. As kerosene makes up a large fraction of crude oil, it is readily available and can be transported and stored in common structural metals.
While kerosene-based fuels are widely used in large planes, there are some variations and alternatives. For example, piston-engined aircraft typically use leaded gasoline, while those equipped with diesel engines may use jet fuel (kerosene). Additionally, sustainable aviation fuel and blends of fossil and sustainably-sourced alternative fuels yield lower emissions of particles and greenhouse gases. However, these alternatives face political, technological, and economic barriers and are not yet widely used.
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Fossil fuels and their alternatives
Fossil fuels are currently the dominant source of energy for planes, with kerosene-based jet fuel being the most common type. In 2019, aviation accounted for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, a proportion that has been increasing since 2010. The total fuel consumption of commercial airlines worldwide reached an all-time high of 95 billion gallons in 2019, and is expected to continue rising in the coming years.
The high and growing consumption of fossil fuels by the aviation industry has significant environmental implications. Aircraft emissions contain various gases and particulates, with CO2 being the largest component, accounting for approximately 70% of the exhaust. In addition to CO2, aircraft emissions also affect the concentration of other atmospheric gases and pollutants, such as ozone, methane, water vapor, soot, sulfur aerosols, and water contrails. These emissions have a warming effect on the planet, contributing to climate change.
To mitigate the environmental impact of the aviation industry, there is a growing focus on exploring alternative fuels and technologies. Sustainable aviation fuel, which includes blends of fossil and sustainably-sourced alternative fuels, offers the advantage of reduced emissions of particles and greenhouse gases. However, the adoption of these fuels has been limited due to political, technological, and economic barriers, particularly their higher cost compared to conventional aviation fuels.
Other potential alternatives to fossil fuels in aviation include compressed natural gas (CNG), liquified natural gas (LNG), hydrogen fuel cells, aviation biofuels, and synthetically created fuels ("e-jet"). While these options have the potential to reduce emissions and improve environmental sustainability, they also come with their own sets of challenges and limitations. For example, hydrogen fuel has a volumetric disadvantage compared to hydrocarbon fuels, and the timeline for its adoption in the aviation industry is lengthy.
In conclusion, the aviation industry's reliance on fossil fuels has led to significant environmental concerns. While alternatives such as sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen fuel cells show promise in reducing emissions, they face barriers to widespread adoption. To effectively address the environmental impact of aviation, a combination of improved energy efficiency, the adoption of low-carbon fuels, and the exploration of new technologies may be necessary.
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Fuel consumption by commercial airlines
Commercial airlines' fuel consumption has been on an upward trajectory since 2009, reaching a peak of 95 billion gallons in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in 2020, with consumption falling to 52 billion gallons. However, as air travel resumed, consumption rose again, with forecasts estimating 92 billion gallons in 2023 and 99 billion gallons in 2024.
The aviation industry's impact on climate change has been a growing concern, with jet aircraft emissions contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Jet-A, a highly refined kerosene-based fuel, powers modern commercial airliners, and its combustion emits various gases and particulates, including CO2, which accounts for about 70% of the exhaust. The "hyper-mobility" of air travel has made it increasingly accessible, with 4.56 billion passengers in 2019, up from 100 million in 1960.
To address emissions, the industry has explored sustainable aviation fuel, which can reduce particle and greenhouse gas emissions without requiring significant aircraft modifications. However, these fuels face barriers to widespread adoption due to their higher costs compared to conventional fuels. Additionally, aircraft manufacturers have focused on improving engine and airframe efficiency, with Airbus patenting designs with twin rear-mounted counter-rotating propfans, and NASA researching advanced turboprops for quieter and faster flights.
Fuel efficiency in aircraft is crucial, and it can be improved by enhancing aerodynamics, reducing weight, and optimizing engine performance. Modern jet aircraft are twice as fuel-efficient as their earliest counterparts, and the average fuel burn of new aircraft decreased by 45% from 1968 to 2014. In 2018, CO2 emissions from passenger transport totalled 747 million tonnes, representing an average of 88 grams of CO2 emitted per revenue passenger kilometre.
While ultra-long-haul routes were initially discontinued due to fuel cost concerns, the introduction of more fuel-efficient aircraft has led to their reinstatement. The efficiency of an aircraft is measured by the amount of energy imparted to the plane per unit of energy in the fuel, with jet engines' efficiency determined by airspeed and thrust-specific fuel consumption.
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Per capita jet fuel consumption
Jet fuel demand was at 8 million barrels per day (Mbpd) in 2019, the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused a drop in jet fuel consumption to 52 billion gallons in 2020. However, as of 2021, commercial airlines increased their fuel consumption, which is forecast to rise to 92 billion gallons in 2023 and 99 billion gallons in 2024. By 2050, jet fuel demand is expected to reach 18 Mbpd as the global population rises by 25%, jet fuel use per capita doubles, and fuel economy per aviation mile rises by 20%.
The United States is the world leader in per capita jet fuel consumption. According to data from the International Council on Clean Transportation, US per capita fuel consumption for domestic and international flights was six times the world average and 37.5 times that of India.
While jet fuel consumption per capita is challenging to calculate due to the global nature of travel, it is clear that the US dominates in per capita jet fuel use. As air travel becomes more accessible to people worldwide, the impact of jet fuel consumption on the environment will become an increasingly important issue.
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Fuel efficiency and carbon emissions
The type of fuel used by aircraft varies. Small aircraft, light helicopters, and vintage piston-engined aircraft use aviation gasoline, often referred to as avgas or 100-LL (low-lead). It is a highly refined form of gasoline with an emphasis on purity and anti-knock characteristics. Modern commercial airliners, on the other hand, are powered by Jet-A, a mix of extremely refined kerosene with a high flash point.
The global fuel consumption by commercial airlines has been increasing over the years, reaching a peak of 95 billion gallons in 2019. The pandemic caused a drop to 52 billion gallons in 2020, but the consumption rose again in 2021 and was projected to reach 99 billion gallons by 2024.
Aviation's contribution to global CO2 emissions has been a growing concern. In 2019, aviation accounted for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, a share that has been as low as 2% and as high as 2.5% since the mid-1990s. However, its overall contribution to global warming is estimated to be around 4%. While CO2 emissions from burning fuel are a significant factor, aircraft emissions also affect the concentration of other atmospheric gases and pollutants. They cause a short-term increase and long-term decrease in ozone and methane, and increased emissions of water vapor, soot, sulfur aerosols, and water contrails.
To reduce emissions, the aviation industry has been exploring alternative fuels and technologies. Sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, and blends of fossil and sustainably-sourced alternative fuels yield lower emissions of particles and greenhouse gases (GHGs). However, these fuels face political, technological, and economic barriers, particularly due to their higher cost. Hydrogen fuel cells offer a promising alternative as they do not produce CO2 emissions, but there are challenges with the weight and volume of the tanks required to store hydrogen.
The efficiency of aircraft has improved over time due to advancements in design and technology, as well as the use of larger planes with higher 'passenger load factors'. The carbon efficiency of traveling one kilometer has more than doubled since 1990, resulting in a significant reduction in carbon emissions per passenger. Additionally, longer flights are more efficient than shorter ones due to the high fuel consumption during takeoff, and the weight of the fuel carried affects the efficiency of flights longer than 4,500 miles.
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Frequently asked questions
A plane like the Boeing 747 uses approximately 1 gallon (4 litres) of fuel every second. Over a 10-hour flight, it might burn 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres).
Kerosene-based fuels are used for large planes because the flash point of kerosene is higher than gasoline. Jet fuel is generally kerosene-based.
A typical car gets about 25 miles per gallon. Flying from New York City to Los Angeles, which is 2,797 miles, would take 112 gallons of gas. The flight would use 5,325 gallons of jet fuel, but with 200 people on the flight, that's 27 gallons of fuel per person.
Airplanes burn disproportionately large amounts of fuel during takeoff, making flights that cover longer distances more efficient. However, distances greater than 4,500 miles decrease a plane's efficiency because of the weight of the fuel it must carry.
Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. However, its overall contribution to global warming is higher, at around 4%. The carbon intensity of jet fuel has not changed, and biofuels and other alternatives are a tiny fraction of global demand.
