Regan Brown
The amount of fuel used by commercial airplanes is a topic of interest, especially in the context of energy consumption and environmental concerns. Commercial aviation's fuel economy is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including aircraft size, velocity, range, passenger count, and technological advancements. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted commercial jet fuel consumption, with a notable decrease in 2020 due to travel restrictions. As the industry recovers, fuel efficiency improvements and cost considerations play a role in shaping fuel consumption patterns. Understanding the fuel usage of commercial airplanes is essential for evaluating the sector's environmental impact and exploring sustainable alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy of planes | A passenger jet that takes off with 25% of its weight in jet fuel can travel 8,000km at 900kmph, with a fuel economy of 80 passenger-mpge |
| Fuel economy of planes | Taking off with a larger weight of fuel (35-45% of the total take-off mass) extends the range to 12,000-14,000km |
| Fuel economy of planes | Each 100kmph increase in velocity degrades fuel economy by around 4 passenger mpg-e |
| Fuel economy of planes | Larger planes tend to be more efficient per passenger |
| Fuel economy improvement | Commercial jets have become more efficient at a pace of 1% per year |
| Fuel economy improvement | Airbus and Boeing stand out as having made the most efficient aircraft |
| Jet fuel consumption in 2023 | 8% less fuel consumed by commercial carriers compared to 2019 |
| Jet fuel consumption in 2020 | Less jet fuel consumed than in any year since 1985 due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Jet fuel consumption recovery | Slow recovery due to labour supply constraints and high fuel prices |
| Jet fuel consumption recovery | In 2023, jet fuel consumption increased slowly and remained below pre-pandemic levels due to less activity by foreign-based commercial carriers, declining freight activity, and improving fuel efficiency in the commercial fleet |
| Jet fuel consumption | Commercial aviation typically accounts for around 85% of jet fuel consumed in the United States |
| Jet fuel consumption | General aviation accounts for around 8% of jet fuel consumption |
| Global fuel consumption by commercial airlines | Reached an all-time high of 95 billion gallons in 2019 |
| Global fuel consumption by commercial airlines | Dropped to 52 billion gallons in 2020 due to the pandemic |
| Global fuel consumption by commercial airlines | Forecasted to rise to 92 and 99 billion gallons in 2023 and 2024, respectively |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel economy of planes
The fuel economy of planes is a complex issue that involves various factors such as aircraft size, velocity, range, passenger count, and fuel mass.
As a general rule, larger planes tend to be more fuel-efficient per passenger, but they also tend to travel farther. For instance, a passenger jet taking off with 25% of its weight in jet fuel can travel 8,000 km at 900 km/h, with a fuel economy of 80 passenger-mpge. Increasing the fuel load to 35-45% of the total takeoff mass extends the range to 12,000-14,000 km.
Additionally, velocity has a significant impact on fuel economy. Each 100 km/h increase in velocity degrades fuel economy by approximately 4 passenger mpg-e. This is because the thrust required to overcome air resistance increases as a cube function of velocity. As an example, the Concorde's top speed of 2,179 km/h reduced its fuel economy by 70%.
Over the past 40 years, commercial jets have become more fuel-efficient at a rate of about 1% per year, with Airbus and Boeing leading the way in efficient aircraft design. However, aviation is still one of the least decarbonized sectors, and jet fuel consumption remains a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted jet fuel consumption, with a 42% decrease from 2019 to 2020 due to reduced air travel. While fuel consumption has increased since then, it has not returned to pre-pandemic levels due to factors such as declining freight activity and improving fuel efficiency in newer aircraft.
When considering the fuel economy of planes, it's essential to balance fuel consumption and emissions with the convenience and capacity of air travel. While flying a fully loaded plane may be more fuel-efficient than multiple people driving individually, the environmental impact of aviation remains a critical area of focus for the industry.
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Factors affecting fuel consumption
Several factors influence the fuel consumption of commercial airplanes.
Firstly, the number of passengers and cabin crew affects fuel consumption through the aircraft's payload. A higher number of passengers and crew increases the total weight of the aircraft, leading to higher fuel consumption. This is particularly significant for long-haul flights, where additional fuel is required, resulting in a higher fuel burn per seat.
Secondly, the total weight of the aircraft without fuel, passengers, cargo, and additional services (known as DOW) also plays a role. Underestimating the zero fuel weight (ZFW) leads to higher fuel consumption. Moreover, the immediate influence of changing atmospheric pressure during cruising can impact fuel usage and operational costs.
Thirdly, the cruising phase of a flight typically records the highest fuel consumption, followed by the climb phase. Therefore, maintaining an optimum altitude, usually higher, improves fuel economy. Additionally, the optimum airspeed for endurance and range can help maximize fuel efficiency.
Furthermore, the design and operation of the aircraft are crucial. Better aerodynamics, reduced weight, and improved engine brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and propulsive efficiency or thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC) contribute to higher fuel efficiency.
Lastly, velocity has a significant impact on fuel economy. An increase in velocity degrades fuel efficiency due to the increased thrust needed to overcome air resistance. On the other hand, at low velocities, more energy is expended to keep the plane airborne for longer, reducing fuel economy.
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Impact of COVID-19 on jet fuel consumption
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted jet fuel consumption, with demand collapsing alongside global commercial passenger flight volumes. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that average daily flights dropped from 70,000 in January and February to less than 25,000 in April, with average fuel volumes plummeting from 4.3 million barrels per day to just 1 million barrels per day. The consumption of jet fuel by commercial passenger flights remained at 69% less than the same period the previous year.
The impact of COVID-19 on jet fuel demand was significant and uneven, with the largest decline occurring during March and April 2020, coinciding with intensified efforts to control the pandemic. Globally, jet fuel consumption by commercial passenger flights decreased by 2.4 million barrels per day between March and April. While consumption began to recover, with a 0.1 million barrel per day increase in May and 0.3 million barrels per day in June, it remained below pre-pandemic levels.
The recovery in jet fuel consumption varied across regions. In June 2020, consumption in China, including Macau and Hong Kong, was down 43% compared to the previous year, while the decline in the United States was more significant at 75%. Domestic flights, which typically involve shorter distances and are used more for business or non-recreational travel, recovered faster than international flights. This trend is reflected in the relative resurgence of jet fuel consumption by domestic flights.
The impact of the pandemic on jet fuel consumption in the EU was also notable. Forecasts indicate that approximately 31,495 thousand tons of kerosene-type jet fuel would have been supplied to EU countries in 2020-2021 if not for the pandemic. Additionally, the pandemic led to a decrease in oil consumption in the short term, with a more prolonged reduction in capital expenditure and R&D investments in the oil and gas market, impacting the demand for oil extraction.
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Jet fuel alternatives
Aviation biofuel, also known as bio-jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), or bio-aviation fuel (BAF), is a key element in reducing the environmental impact of aviation. SAF is made from non-petroleum feedstocks, such as woody biomass, agricultural and municipal waste, and can be blended with conventional jet fuel at different levels, with limits between 10% and 50%. ASTM International has approved the use of biofuels, with the first test flight using blended biofuel taking place in 2008, and in 2011, blends with 50% biofuels were allowed on commercial flights.
The use of SAF presents several benefits, including engine and infrastructure compatibility, fewer emissions, and more flexibility. SAF can be used in existing aircraft and infrastructure, and when blended with Jet A, can be distributed through the existing supply chain. Compared to conventional jet fuel, 100% SAF has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 94%, depending on feedstock and technology pathway.
Other jet fuel alternatives include hydrogen (H2), which has three times the energy content per weight of traditional jet kerosene and does not produce CO2 from combustion. However, it is flammable and has a short ignition time. Ammonia (NH3) is also perceived as a potential fuel for gas turbines, as it has a high H2 content but no carbon atoms.
Electrofuels are another alternative, produced from electricity via electrolysis of water with captured carbon or nitrogen. Fischer-Tropsch kerosene, methane, methanol, hydrogen, ammonia, and n-octane are some examples of electrofuels. LNG is also a viable option, although it is not currently used in normal service and operations, and there are challenges in operating LCH4 aircraft, such as the design and construction of storage tanks and supply chain infrastructure.
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Fuel efficiency improvements
Fuel efficiency in aircraft is a measure of the transport energy efficiency of an aircraft. It is calculated by the number of miles an airplane can travel on one gallon of fuel. Over the years, the aviation industry has been working on improving fuel efficiency to reduce CO2 emissions.
One of the most effective ways to improve fuel efficiency is to reduce the overall weight of the aircraft. This can be achieved by using lighter composite materials for the airframe and improving the aerodynamics of the plane. For example, wingtip devices, such as winglets, increase the effective wing aspect ratio, lowering lift-induced drag and improving the lift-to-drag ratio. Airbus has been using wingtip fences on its planes since the A310-300 in 1985, and their Sharklet blended-winglets for the A320 offer a 3.5% fuel burn reduction on long-haul flights.
Another way to improve fuel efficiency is to improve engine efficiency. This can be done by using more fuel-efficient engines, such as those found in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which is 20% more fuel-efficient per passenger kilometre than previous-generation aircraft. Additionally, placing the engines on top of the plane body near the tail, as in the "double-bubble" D8 design concept by NASA, can reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.
Reducing cruise speed can also augment range and reduce environmental impact. Designing aircraft for subsonic instead of transonic speed can save up to 21% of fuel compared to conventional designs.
Finally, improvements in aircraft routing and loading can be achieved through more advanced computer systems, which can further increase fuel efficiency.
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Frequently asked questions
A passenger jet that takes off with 25% of its weight in jet fuel can travel 8,000km at 900kmph. Taking off with a larger weight of fuel (35-45% of the total takeoff mass) extends the range to 12,000-14,000km.
Larger planes tend to be more efficient per passenger. Each 100kmph increase in velocity degrades fuel economy by around 4 passenger mpg-e.
The global fuel consumption by commercial airlines was at an all-time high of 95 billion gallons in 2019. It dropped to 52 billion gallons in 2020 due to the pandemic. As of 2023, commercial carriers consumed 8% less fuel than in 2019.
Flying is better for the environment than driving when there are a large number of passengers on a flight. For example, if a plane is at capacity with 200-300 people, it would be better for fuel consumption and emissions than 40-50 people driving individually to the same destination.
