Ameer Randolph
The Boeing 747 is one of the most recognisable airplanes in the world. Its debut version, the 747-100, launched in 1969, could carry 48,400 gallons of jet fuel. Since then, Boeing has produced several versions of its legendary Queen of the Skies, each with a slightly different fuel capacity. The exact capacity varies between models, with several even containing additional fuel tanks in the tail. On average, it can carry from 48,400 to 63,034 gallons, equivalent to 183,214–238,610 litres, or 400,000 lbs. The majority of the fuel is stored in the aircraft's wings, with two main fuel tanks in each wing, reserve fuel tanks in the outer wing sections, and a central wing tank in the middle.
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What You'll Learn
A 747 can carry 63,000 gallons of fuel, weighing 400,000 lbs
The Boeing 747 is one of the most recognisable aircraft in the world. Its high passenger capacity and long range have allowed airlines to open up new direct routes worldwide. The 747 has been in production since 1967, and over 100 customers have purchased over 1,500 examples.
The 747's fuel capacity varies between models and configurations. The debut version, the 747-100, which launched in 1969, holds 48,400 gallons of jet fuel. The next two versions, the 747-200 and 300, offered a significant improvement, with a fuel capacity of 52,410 gallons. The 747-400 is a popular choice among airlines, with a 9% increased fuel capacity compared to its predecessors (57,285 gallons). The latest version, the 747-8, has a capacity of 63,034 gallons for passenger models (747-8i) and 59,734 gallons for cargo versions (747-8f). This equates to 238,610 litres and 226,095 litres, respectively.
The 747 can carry up to 63,000 gallons of fuel, weighing around 400,000 lbs. This is nearly as much as the empty plane itself. The majority of the fuel is stored in the aircraft's wings, with two main fuel tanks in each wing, reserve fuel tanks in the outer wing sections, and a central wing tank in the middle. This design helps to maintain symmetry in fuel delivery to the engines and increases storage capacity in the fuselage for cargo.
The four engines of the 747 burn approximately 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour when cruising, or around 1 gallon (4 litres) per second. This equates to a fuel cost of around £41 (€52) per passenger on a flight carrying 450 passengers.
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The debut 747-100 model could carry 48,400 gallons
The debut 747-100 model, which first flew in 1969, could carry 48,400 gallons of jet fuel. This was equivalent to approximately 183,214 litres and weighed around 365,000 kg. The exact capacity varies between models, with several even containing additional fuel tanks in the tail. The majority of the fuel is stored in the aircraft's wings, with two main fuel tanks in each wing, reserve fuel tanks in the outer wing sections, and a central wing tank in the middle. This design frees up space in the body for cargo and passengers and allows the plane to remain balanced as the fuel funnels down into the engines symmetrically.
The next two versions of the 747, the 747-200 and 300, offered a significant improvement in fuel capacity, with a total of 52,410 gallons. The 747-400 is a popular choice among airlines due to its 9% increased fuel capacity compared to its predecessors, allowing for 57,285 gallons. The latest version, the 747-8, has an even more impressive capacity, with 63,034 gallons for passenger models (747-8i) and 59,734 gallons for cargo ones (747-8f).
The four engines of the 747 burn approximately 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour when cruising, which equates to roughly one gallon, or four litres, per second. This fuel efficiency allows for around 100 miles to the gallon for each of the 500 passengers on a full flight.
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The 747-400 model increased capacity by 9%
The fuel capacity of a 747 varies depending on the model and configuration. The debut version, the 747-100, which launched in 1969, holds 48,400 gallons of jet fuel. The 747-200 and 300 models debuted with a fuel capacity of 52,410 gallons. The 747-400 model has a 9% increased fuel capacity compared to its predecessors, allowing it to hold 57,285 gallons of fuel. This increase in capacity has made the 747-400 a popular choice among airlines.
The latest version, the 747-8, has an even greater fuel capacity. The 747-8i Intercontinental can carry 63,034 gallons (238,610 liters), while the 747-8f freighter has a capacity of 59,734 gallons (226,095 liters). These models utilize technology developed for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner program, resulting in a significant increase in payload capacity.
The fuel capacity of a 747 can also vary depending on the additional fuel tanks installed. Some models can seal part of the horizontal stabilizer and use it as an auxiliary fuel tank, further increasing the total capacity. The amount of fuel a 747 carries depends on the specific route and can be measured in gallons, liters, or kilograms.
The majority of the fuel on a 747 is stored in the aircraft's wings, with two main fuel tanks and a reserve fuel tank in each wing. The wing tanks are filled first, followed by the central wing tank, which holds any remaining fuel needed for the flight. This design ensures symmetry in fuel delivery to the engines and helps maintain balance during flight.
The high fuel capacity of the 747 allows it to serve long-distance flights and open up new direct routes worldwide. However, the plane is not considered highly fuel-efficient compared to other aircraft. The four engines of the 747 burn approximately 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour when cruising, translating to about 3,600 gallons of fuel per hour.
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The 747-8 model has a capacity of 63,034 gallons
The fuel capacity of a 747 varies depending on the model and configuration. The debut version, the 747-100, which launched in 1969, holds 48,400 gallons of jet fuel. The next two versions, the 747-200 and 300, had a fuel capacity of 52,410 gallons. The 747-400 is a popular choice among airlines due to its 9% increased fuel capacity compared to its predecessors (57,285 gallons).
The latest version, the 747-8, has a capacity of 63,034 gallons (238,610 liters) for passenger models (747-8i) and 59,734 gallons (226,095 liters) for cargo models (747-8f). This is an increase of 16% in payload capacity compared to previous models. The 747-8 can fly 8,000 miles or more on a full tank, although this depends on various factors such as speed and weight.
The majority of the fuel is stored in the aircraft's wings, with two main fuel tanks in each wing, reserve fuel tanks in the outer wing sections, and a central wing tank in the middle. This design helps to maintain symmetry in fuel delivery to the engines and increases storage capacity in the fuselage for cargo.
The four engines of the 747 burn approximately 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour when cruising, which equates to roughly 1 gallon (approximately 4 liters) of fuel every second. This fuel capacity allows the 747 to serve long-distance flights and open up new direct routes worldwide.
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Fuel is stored in the wings to maintain balance
The amount of fuel a 747 can carry depends on the model and configuration. The debut version, the 747-100, could carry 48,400 gallons of fuel. The 747-200 and 300 models increased this capacity to 52,410 gallons, and the 747-400 improved on this further with a capacity of 57,285 gallons. The latest version, the 747-8, has a capacity of 63,034 gallons for passenger models (747-8i) and 59,734 gallons for cargo models (747-8f). This latest model can also be fitted with optional body tanks, increasing its capacity to 240,196 litres (204,333 litres without the extra tank).
The majority of the fuel is stored in the aircraft's wings, with two main fuel tanks in each wing, reserve tanks in the outer wing sections, and a central wing tank in the middle. This design helps to maintain balance as the fuel funnels down into the engines symmetrically, increasing storage capacity in the fuselage for cargo. It also minimises the bending moment on the wings, as the lift is generated where the fuel is stored.
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Frequently asked questions
The 747's fuel capacity varies among models and configurations. The debut version, the 747-100, holds 48,400 gallons of jet fuel. The latest version, the 747-8, can carry 63,034 gallons. On average, a 747 can carry between 48,400 and 63,034 gallons.
In litres, the 747-100 can carry 183,214 litres. The 747-8 can carry 238,610 litres. On average, a 747 can carry between 183,214 and 238,610 litres.
A 747 carrying 63,000 gallons of fuel weighs around 400,000 lbs, which is nearly as much as the empty plane itself.
The four engines of the 747 burn approximately 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour when cruising, which is about 3,600 gallons per hour.
