Regan Brown
The fuel capacity of an aircraft is a critical factor in its efficiency and performance. The Boeing 737, for example, is a popular aircraft choice for many airlines, with variants such as the 737-800 burning 850 US gallons (3,200 L) of jet fuel per hour. With rising fuel prices and environmental concerns, airlines are increasingly focused on improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. This has led to innovations such as blending biofuel and traditional jet fuel, as well as exploring more efficient aircraft designs. The fuel economy of an aircraft is influenced by various factors, including aerodynamics, weight, engine efficiency, and propulsive efficiency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel burn per hour | 850 US gallons (3,200 L) |
| Airline with lowest emissions intensity | Ryanair |
| Ryanair CO2 emissions in 2015 | 8.64 Bn t of CO2 |
| Number of sectors flown by Ryanair in 2015 | 545,034 |
| Average CO2 emissions per sector | 15.85 t per 776 miles (674 nmi; 1,249 km) |
| Average fuel usage per sector | 5.04 t of fuel |
| Average fuel usage per 100 km | 4.04 kg/km |
| Average fuel usage per passenger | 95 kg per passenger |
| Average fuel usage per 100 km per passenger | 30.4 kg of fuel: 3.04 L/100 km or 76 g CO2/km |
| Aircraft with better fuel efficiency than Boeing 737 NG | Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero) ECO-150 |
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What You'll Learn
- The 737-800 burns 850 gallons of jet fuel per hour
- Fuel efficiency is increased through better aerodynamics and weight reduction
- Jet fuel costs and emissions reduction have led to a renewed interest in the propfan concept
- In 2015, Ryanair emitted 5.04 tonnes of fuel for 545,034 sectors flown
- The longest commercial flights were cancelled around 2013 due to the weight penalty of extra fuel
The 737-800 burns 850 gallons of jet fuel per hour
The 737-800 is the most common variant of the 737NG (Next Generation) family. This aircraft burns 850 US gallons (3,200 litres) of jet fuel every hour. To put that into perspective, the average fuel burn of new aircraft fell 45% from 1968 to 2014, a compounded annual reduction of 1.3%.
In 2014, MSCI ranked Ryanair as the lowest-emissions-intensity airline in its ACWI index. Ryanair achieved this using high-density 189-seat Boeing 737-800s. In 2015, Ryanair emitted 8.64 billion tonnes of CO2 for 545,034 sectors flown: an average of 15.85 tonnes per 776 miles (674 nautical miles; 1,249 km). This equates to 5.04 tonnes of fuel, or 4.04 kg/km, per sector.
There are several ways in which airlines can save fuel. For example, in 2012, Scandinavian Airlines started flying more slowly, reducing their speed from 860 to 780 km/h, to save on fuel costs and curb emissions. Continuous Descent Approaches can also reduce emissions, as can taxiing on APU power alone, with the main engines shut down.
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Fuel efficiency is increased through better aerodynamics and weight reduction
The Boeing 737 is a popular aircraft that has been in service for many years and has seen several variants, including the 737-800, 737 MAX 8, and 737 NG. While the exact fuel capacity may vary between these models, the focus on fuel efficiency remains a key aspect of their design. Fuel efficiency is of utmost importance in aviation, as it directly impacts operational costs and environmental sustainability.
One of the primary methods to enhance fuel efficiency is to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Aerodynamics is a subfield of fluid dynamics that studies the physics of a body moving through the air. By optimizing the aircraft's shape and surface area, engineers can reduce drag, which is the resistance that air exerts on a moving object. The Boeing blended wing body (BWB) design, for instance, features a wide fuselage mated to high-aspect-ratio wings, contributing to better aerodynamics and less drag.
Another crucial strategy to increase fuel efficiency is weight reduction. Aircraft weight decreases throughout the flight due to fuel burn, and minimizing weight can be achieved through the airframe's configuration, materials, and construction methods. Lighter materials such as titanium, carbon fiber, and composite plastics play a significant role in weight reduction. By reducing the weight of the airframe, smaller and lighter engines can be utilized, further decreasing fuel consumption. This relationship between weight reduction and fuel efficiency is so significant that a rule of thumb suggests a 0.75% reduction in fuel consumption for every 1% reduction in weight.
Additionally, the 737 MAX 8 variant of the Boeing 737 showcases remarkable fuel efficiency. According to Boeing, the 737 MAX 8 reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 14% compared to the newest 737NG. It also requires 8% less fuel per seat than the A320neo. This translates into significant cost savings for airlines and contributes to a more sustainable aviation industry.
In conclusion, fuel efficiency in aircraft, including the Boeing 737 variants, is enhanced through a combination of improved aerodynamics and weight reduction. These strategies not only reduce fuel consumption but also lower operating costs and environmental impact, making them essential considerations in aircraft design and operation.
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Jet fuel costs and emissions reduction have led to a renewed interest in the propfan concept
The Boeing 737 is a popular aircraft, with airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet using it for their flights. However, the fuel economy of aircraft has been a significant area of focus in recent times. Fuel efficiency in aircraft is measured by transport energy efficiency, and it can be increased through better aerodynamics, weight reduction, and improved engine brake-specific fuel consumption.
In the past, rising jet fuel prices and the financial crisis of 2008 led to the cancellation of many ultra-long-haul non-stop flights. For instance, Singapore Airlines' New York to Singapore route was cancelled as it could only carry 100 passengers due to the weight penalty of the extra fuel required.
Today, the focus is on reducing the carbon footprint of the aviation industry. Jet fuel costs and emissions reduction have led to a renewed interest in the propfan concept. Propfans are similar to turbofans, but their fans are exposed, allowing for increased bypass ratios and greater propulsive efficiency without the weight and drag penalties of larger cases. CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, has announced the development of a super-efficient "propfan" engine, promising a 20% fuel saving over conventional turbojet engines.
However, one of the major problems with propfans is noise. While propfan research in the 1980s found ways to reduce noise, it came at the cost of reduced fuel efficiency. Nevertheless, CFM assures that its "Rise" engine is being thoroughly tested to meet rigorous noise emission standards.
The aviation industry has committed to slashing emissions by 2050, and engine makers are under pressure to develop more efficient engines. Propfans are expected to bring significant efficiency gains to the next generation of commercial airliners, but fuel prices will play a significant role in their adoption.
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In 2015, Ryanair emitted 5.04 tonnes of fuel for 545,034 sectors flown
The Boeing 737 is a popular aircraft used by airlines for its fuel efficiency. The fuel economy of an aircraft is measured by its transport energy efficiency. Fuel efficiency can be improved by optimising aerodynamics, reducing weight, and improving engine brake-specific fuel consumption and propulsive efficiency or thrust-specific fuel consumption.
Ryanair's fuel efficiency is further demonstrated by comparing it to other airlines. For example, during the same period, Easyjet had an emission intensity of 82 g CO2-e/revenue passenger kilometre, the average was 123 g, and Lufthansa was at 132 g. Ryanair's use of high-density 189-seat Boeing 737-800s contributed to its low emission intensity.
To provide a more recent context, in 2024, a Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Dublin had a total fuel requirement of 6,500 kilograms or 6.5 tonnes. This fuel calculation included trip fuel, taxi fuel, and additional fuel for potential crosswinds during landing in Dublin.
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The longest commercial flights were cancelled around 2013 due to the weight penalty of extra fuel
The weight of an aircraft and its fuel efficiency are closely linked. The weight penalty of extra fuel required for very long non-stop flights means that the number of available seats is limited to compensate for the weight. The critical factor for these flights is the quantity of fuel burnt per seat-nautical mile.
Around 2013, some of the world's longest commercial flights were cancelled due to the weight penalty of extra fuel. For example, Singapore Airlines' former New York to Singapore route, which could carry only 100 passengers (all business class) over 10,300 miles (16,600 km), was cancelled in 2013. An industry analyst described the flight as "pretty much a fuel tanker in the air".
The cancellation of these long-haul flights was also influenced by rising fuel prices, the 2008 financial crisis, and the Great Recession. Airlines were facing economic challenges that made operating these fuel-intensive flights unviable.
However, advancements in aircraft technology and fuel efficiency have since allowed for the revival of some of these routes. For instance, Singapore Airlines Flights 21 and 22 were relaunched in 2018 with more seats using an A350-900ULR aircraft.
The Airbus A350 series and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner are examples of aircraft designed for improved fuel efficiency on long-haul flights. The A350-900, for instance, has a range of 9,700 nautical miles (17,964 kilometres) and can carry 161 passengers in a premium economy and business class configuration.
Additionally, wingtip devices such as winglets, wingtip fences, and sharklets can improve fuel efficiency. On average, Boeing 737-800s benefit the most from winglets, with an average efficiency increase of 6.69%. These improvements in aircraft technology and fuel efficiency continue to drive competition among airlines to operate the longest flights, providing greater convenience and building brand image.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of fuel a 737 aircraft can hold depends on the variant. For example, the 737-800 burns 850 US gallons (3,200 L) of jet fuel per hour.
The fuel capacity of a 737 aircraft can vary depending on the specific variant, but it is generally comparable to other commercial aircraft in terms of fuel capacity and efficiency. For example, in 2014, Ryanair's 737-800 aircraft were ranked as the lowest-emissions-intensity airline in the MSCI ACWI index.
Several factors can affect the fuel efficiency of a 737 aircraft, including aerodynamics, weight, engine efficiency, and airspeed. Additionally, operational procedures such as maintenance and routing can also impact fuel efficiency.
