Mercedes Mullins
The amount of fuel a plane uses depends on a variety of factors, including the type and size of the aircraft, flight duration, aircraft capacity, age, and engine type. For example, a Boeing 747 burns approximately one gallon of fuel per second, amounting to 36,000 gallons over a 10-hour flight. On the other hand, the Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft, consumes slightly more fuel due to its higher capacity. Fuel efficiency in aircraft has improved over time, with jet airliners becoming 70% more fuel-efficient between 1967 and 2007, and newer aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 being 20% more fuel-efficient per passenger kilometre than previous generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fuel | Kerosene-based fuel, Jet fuel |
| Fuel consumption factors | Aircraft's empty weight, carried payload, efficiency of the engines, flight path, weather conditions |
| Fuel consumption rate | Aircraft type and flight duration |
| Example fuel consumption rates | Boeing 747-400: 10-11 tons of fuel per hour, Boeing 737-800: 2.5-3 tons of fuel per hour, Airbus A320: 2.5 tons of fuel per hour, Boeing 777: 7-8 tons of fuel per hour, Airbus A380: 11-12 tons of fuel per hour |
| Fuel efficiency | Propeller planes are more efficient than jets, Jet airliners became 70% more fuel efficient between 1967 and 2007, Average fuel burn of new aircraft fell 45% from 1968 to 2014 |
| Fuel consumption during flight | Take-off is the most intense point of a flight in terms of fuel consumption, Cruising uses up 96% of the total fuel burned for the longest flights |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel efficiency improvements over time
The fuel efficiency of aircraft has improved significantly over time. The type of aircraft and the duration of the flight are the two most important factors in determining fuel consumption.
A Boeing 747, for example, uses approximately one gallon of fuel per second, or five gallons per mile. Over a ten-hour flight, this equates to around 36,000 gallons of fuel. However, when considering the number of passengers on board, the fuel efficiency per person improves considerably. A 747 can carry up to 568 passengers, and when calculated per person per mile, the fuel consumption is significantly reduced.
Newer aircraft models have boasted impressive improvements in fuel efficiency. The A330neo, for instance, claims to be 14% more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, while the A220 is advertised as 25% more efficient than previous-generation aircraft. The 777X, touted as the "world's most fuel-efficient twin-engine jet," is said to be 12% more efficient than its competitors.
The choice of fuel also plays a role in improving fuel efficiency. Kerosene-based fuels are commonly used for large planes due to their higher flash point compared to gasoline, resulting in increased power and efficiency.
While investing in newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft can be costly for airlines, the potential for significant fuel savings exists. Fuel prices can greatly impact an airline's expenses, and when fuel costs rise, ticket prices often follow suit to offset the increased expenditure.
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Jet fuel vs diesel
Jet fuel and diesel are both specific types of fuel with distinct properties and applications. Jet fuel, or aviation turbine fuel (ATF or avtur), is primarily used for powering aircraft engines, while diesel fuel is designed for engines built to run on diesel, typically found in cars and trucks. Despite their differences, jet fuel and diesel share similarities in their historical development, extraction, production, and composition.
One key distinction between jet fuel and diesel lies in their composition. Jet fuel, particularly Jet-A, is considered a high-sulfur fuel with dry lubricity, making it suitable for gas-turbine engines. In contrast, diesel fuel has higher lubricity and is designed for diesel engines, requiring lubricity additives for long-term performance.
In terms of application, jet fuel is specifically formulated for the operating conditions and performance demands of aviation turbine engines. It has a higher flash point than diesel, making it safer to handle in large quantities, which is advantageous for commercial and military operations. On the other hand, diesel fuel is designed for diesel engines, which can include aviation diesel engines in piston engine aircraft.
Despite their intended purposes, there are instances where jet fuel is used in diesel engines and vice versa. In certain regions, such as remote Australia, helicopters and diesel engines may use diesel fuel or Jet A-1 with modified pumps. Additionally, jet fuel is used in ground support fleets at airports, powering both aircraft fuel systems and diesel engines, providing economic benefits by eliminating the need for separate fueling infrastructure.
While jet fuel and diesel have distinct characteristics and intended applications, they share a common base as fractional distillates of petroleum fuel oil. This similarity allows for the occasional interchangeability of the fuels, although it may not be ideal due to the lack of specific additives required by each engine type.
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Fuel consumption during take-off
The amount of fuel a plane uses during takeoff depends on several factors, including the aircraft type, flight duration, weight and load, weather conditions, and more. For instance, a Boeing 747-400 burns around 10-11 tons of jet fuel per hour, while a shorter flight using a Boeing 737-800 uses about 2.5-3 tons per hour.
Takeoff and climb are fuel-intensive stages of a flight. During takeoff, the engines work overtime to generate the thrust needed to overcome gravity and achieve flight. While takeoff might seem like the most fuel-consuming part of a flight, it only accounts for a small fraction of total fuel usage. Estimates suggest that around 10% of total fuel consumption occurs during taxi, takeoff, and climb, with 85% being used during cruise flight.
The shorter the flight, the more significant the non-cruising elements are in terms of fuel usage. For instance, on a short-haul flight to Paris, cruising accounted for 62% of overall fuel burn, while for a longer flight to Dubai, cruising accounted for 95%. However, it's important to note that taxiing, takeoff, climb, approach, and taxi-in can contribute significantly to fuel consumption on short-haul flights.
To minimize fuel consumption during takeoff and climb, airlines and pilots employ strategies such as Continuous Climb Operations (CCO) and Continuous Descent Operations (CDO). These techniques ensure a smoother transition between flight phases, reducing unnecessary thrust adjustments and optimizing fuel efficiency. Additionally, dynamic flight planning systems enable pilots to adjust routes based on wind patterns and air traffic, further enhancing fuel efficiency.
By choosing direct flights, fuel-efficient airlines, and modern aircraft with improved aerodynamics and engines, we can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of air travel and make more sustainable choices.
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Fuel-efficiency of different aircraft types
The fuel efficiency of an aircraft is a measure of the transport energy efficiency of the aircraft. Fuel efficiency is increased by improving aerodynamics, reducing weight, and improving engine brake-specific fuel consumption and propulsive efficiency or thrust-specific fuel consumption. The optimum airspeed and altitude can also improve fuel efficiency.
The type of aircraft engine also plays a significant role in fuel efficiency. Turbine engines, piston engines, and electric motors are the three primary types of aircraft engines. Turbine engines are the most common type, and include turbofan, turbojet, and turboprop engines. Of these, turbofan engines are currently considered the most efficient for commercial aviation due to their advanced design and high bypass ratios. The CFM56, Pratt & Whitney PW1000G, and CFM LEAP engines are known for their fuel efficiency. Turbojet engines, on the other hand, are less fuel-efficient as they were among the first types of turbine engines used.
Turboprop engines, a hybrid between turbine and propeller engines, are highly efficient at lower speeds and altitudes, making them ideal for short-haul flights. Piston engines, commonly found in smaller general aviation aircraft, operate similarly to car engines and are relatively simple and reliable. Diesel engines, a type of piston engine, offer better fuel efficiency and lower fuel burn than petrol engines.
Electric motors represent the future of aircraft engines, offering zero-emission flights. However, they are still in the early stages of development due to challenges with battery weight and energy density.
The size of the aircraft also impacts fuel efficiency. Contrary to what one might assume, larger planes are not necessarily more fuel-efficient per passenger. Smaller twin-engine wide-body aircraft like Boeing's 787 and Airbus's A350 are more fuel-efficient than larger planes like the A380. The A380 carries relatively few passengers for its size and has limited freight carriage, impacting its fuel efficiency.
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Fuel-efficiency of flying vs driving
The fuel efficiency of flying versus driving is a complex comparison, as it depends on several factors, including the type of aircraft or vehicle, the number of passengers, and the distance travelled.
Aircraft Fuel Efficiency
A large plane like a Boeing 747 uses approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel every second, burning around 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel over a 10-hour flight. This equates to 5 gallons of fuel per mile (12 litres of fuel per kilometre). However, when considering the number of passengers, the fuel efficiency per person improves significantly. A 747 can carry up to 568 people, and when calculated per person, the plane achieves 100 miles per gallon (42 kilometres per litre) per person.
The Airbus A380, the world's largest jet airliner, is even more fuel-efficient. It burns an average of 4,600 gallons (11,400 litres) of fuel per hour and can carry over 800 passengers, resulting in a 20% increase in per-passenger fuel efficiency compared to the 747.
Vehicle Fuel Efficiency
When comparing fuel efficiency, it's essential to consider the type of vehicle and the number of passengers. The typical car achieves around 25 miles per gallon. For example, driving from New York City to Los Angeles, a distance of approximately 2,797 miles, would require about 112 gallons of gas for a car with two passengers. This equates to 56 gallons per person.
Comparison
When comparing the fuel efficiency of flying versus driving, it's evident that aircraft, especially those carrying a large number of passengers, can be more fuel-efficient per person. However, it's important to note that the type of vehicle or aircraft and the number of occupants can significantly impact the calculations. Additionally, factors such as the distance travelled and the specific models of vehicles or aircraft should be considered for a comprehensive comparison.
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