Katerina Swanson
The amount of fuel burned by planes is a critical issue in the aviation industry, with fuel costs and carbon emissions significantly impacting airline operations and the environment. The fuel efficiency of jet airliners has improved over the years, with a 70% increase in efficiency between 1967 and 2007. However, the question remains: how much fuel do planes burn during different stages of flight and on various aircraft types? From take-off to landing, the fuel consumption of planes varies, and factors such as aircraft size, weight, and distance travelled play a role in determining the overall fuel burn.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel burn per hour | The ultra-long-range Bombardier Global 7500 burns 528 gallons per hour. The Embraer Phenom 300 light jet burns 183 gallons per hour. Light jets consume between 134 and 222 gallons of jet fuel per hour. |
| Fuel burn per kilometer | The Concorde, a supersonic transport, managed about 17 passenger-miles to the Imperial gallon, or 16.7 L/100 km per passenger. The Airbus A380 has a fuel rate consumption of less than 3 L/100 km per passenger (78 passenger-miles per US gallon). |
| Fuel burn per stage of flight | The OAG model breaks down fuel burn into six flight stages: taxi out, take-off, climb, cruise, approach, and taxi in. The shorter the flight, the more fuel burn as a proportion of the total fuel use. |
| Fuel burn and aircraft design | Wingtip devices on planes like the Airbus A310-300 and Airbus A320 improve the lift-to-drag ratio, offering a 3.5% fuel burn reduction on flights over 2,800 km. The Boeing 737-800 benefits the most from winglets, with a 6.69% increase in efficiency. |
| Fuel burn and altitude | Aircraft should cruise close to the maximum altitude to minimize fuel consumption. As the aircraft's weight decreases due to fuel burn, its optimum cruising altitude increases. |
| Fuel burn and speed | Scandinavian Airlines reduced flight speed from 860 to 780 km/h between 2006 and 2008 to save fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. |
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What You'll Learn
- Fuel burn varies depending on the type of aircraft and the length of the flight
- Take-off is the most intense point of a flight in terms of fuel consumption
- Jet airliners became 70% more fuel-efficient between 1967 and 2007
- Kerosene-based fuels are used for large planes because of their higher flash point
- Fuel burn per kilometre is affected by the size and capacity of an aircraft
Fuel burn varies depending on the type of aircraft and the length of the flight
The amount of fuel burned by an aircraft varies depending on factors such as the type of aircraft, the length of the flight, the number of passengers and baggage, and the flight path. For example, a Boeing 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile or 1 gallon of fuel every second, amounting to 36,000 gallons over a 10-hour flight. However, when considering the number of passengers, the fuel burn per person per mile becomes more efficient, with the plane achieving 100 miles per gallon per person.
The Airbus A380, the current largest jet airliner, is even more fuel-efficient, burning an average of 4,600 gallons of fuel per hour. Newer aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350, and Bombardier CSeries, are also 20% more fuel-efficient per passenger kilometre than previous-generation aircraft.
The length of the flight also plays a role in fuel consumption. While take-off requires the engines to work the hardest, on longer flights, the cruising phase contributes the most to fuel burn. For example, on the longest flight to Hong Kong, cruising accounts for 96% of the total fuel burned. On shorter flights, the non-cruising elements, such as taxiing, can contribute a larger proportion of the overall fuel burn.
Additionally, the flight path and altitude can impact fuel efficiency. Flying at higher altitudes can reduce fuel consumption, but the aircraft must cruise close to the maximum altitude where it can maintain sufficient lift. Aircraft with improved aerodynamics, such as wingtip devices, can also reduce fuel burn by improving the lift-to-drag ratio.
When it comes to private jets, the fuel burn per hour varies significantly depending on the type of aircraft. For instance, the Bombardier Global 7500 burns 528 gallons per hour, while the Embraer Phenom 300 light jet consumes 183 gallons per hour.
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Take-off is the most intense point of a flight in terms of fuel consumption
On shorter flights, a larger proportion of fuel is used during take-off and climb due to the smaller cruising time. Aircraft type also plays a role in fuel efficiency, with modern aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 having more fuel-efficient engines and aerodynamics. Weather conditions can also impact fuel burn, with headwinds or turbulence increasing fuel consumption.
The weight of the aircraft is another critical factor in fuel consumption. A reduction in aircraft weight, such as through the use of lightweight materials, can lead to a decrease in fuel consumption. This is because a lighter aircraft requires less fuel to lift and keep aloft. Strategies such as Continuous Climb Operations (CCO) and Continuous Descent Operations (CDO) are employed to minimise fuel-intensive level-offs and optimise fuel efficiency.
The amount of fuel burned by aircraft has significant implications for the environment, as longer flights produce more carbon emissions. Newer aircraft models are more fuel-efficient, and the average fuel burn of new aircraft fell by 45% from 1968 to 2014. However, ultra-long-haul non-stop flights have been cancelled due to the weight penalty of carrying extra fuel, impacting the fiscal viability of these routes.
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Jet airliners became 70% more fuel-efficient between 1967 and 2007
The fuel economy of jet airliners has been improving continuously. Between 1967 and 2007, jet airliners became 70% more fuel-efficient. This improvement can be attributed to a 40% increase in engine efficiency and a 30% improvement in airframes.
The efficiency gains were more prominent in the earlier years of the jet age, with a 55-67% gain from 1960 to 1980, and a 20-26% gain from 1980 to 2000. The average fuel burn of new aircraft decreased by 45% from 1968 to 2014, with a compounded annual reduction of 1.3% and a variable reduction rate.
The efficiency of a jet engine is defined as the amount of energy imparted to the plane per unit of energy in the fuel. The rate at which energy is imparted is calculated by multiplying thrust by airspeed. Jet engine efficiency is determined by dividing airspeed by thrust-specific fuel consumption and the specific energy of the fuel.
There are several ways to improve the fuel efficiency of jet airliners. One method is to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft by reducing weight and improving engine efficiency. Another strategy is to operate the aircraft at optimum altitudes, usually higher, to maximize endurance and range. Additionally, wingtip devices can be employed to increase the effective wing aspect ratio, thereby improving the lift-to-drag ratio.
The Airbus A380, for example, consumes less than 3 L/100 km per passenger, or 78 passenger-miles per US gallon. Newer aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350, and Bombardier CSeries, are even more impressive, boasting a 20% improvement in fuel efficiency per passenger kilometre compared to previous generations.
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Kerosene-based fuels are used for large planes because of their higher flash point
The amount of fuel burnt by planes depends on several factors, including the length of the flight, the aircraft's size and capacity, and the number of seats. For instance, a Boeing 747 can burn approximately 1 gallon of fuel per second, amounting to 36,000 gallons over a 10-hour flight.
Kerosene-based fuels are commonly used for large planes due to their higher flash point compared to gasoline. The flash point refers to the lowest temperature required for a volatile material to evaporate and form a combustible concentration of gas. Kerosene, with a flash point of 100°F, offers a higher auto-ignition temperature than gasoline, which has a flash point of -45°F. This difference in flash points is critical when considering the distinct engine requirements of planes and cars. Jet engines, which power large planes, demand a different type of fuel than piston engines used in cars.
The use of kerosene-based fuels in large planes is advantageous due to their higher energy content and efficiency. Kerosene-based jet fuels, such as Jet A and Jet A-1, have a carbon number distribution between 8 and 16 carbon atoms per molecule. This range of molecular mass contributes to the fuel's performance and handling characteristics. Additionally, kerosene-based fuels have undergone adjustments to meet specific performance requirements, such as minimum freezing points, further enhancing their suitability for large planes.
The higher flash point of kerosene-based fuels also enhances safety during transportation and handling. These fuels are less flammable, reducing the risk of accidental ignition. This characteristic is particularly important for aircraft carriers, where higher flash point products are mandated for safety reasons, despite their higher production costs.
Furthermore, kerosene-based fuels have played a significant role in aviation since World War II. Both British and American standards for jet fuels were established during this period, with subsequent adjustments made to balance performance and fuel availability. The use of kerosene-based fuels has continued to evolve, with initiatives like the U.S. Air Force's certification of aircraft to operate on a 50-50 blend of kerosene and synthetic fuel, helping to stabilize fuel costs and explore alternative fuel sources.
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Fuel burn per kilometre is affected by the size and capacity of an aircraft
The fuel burn per kilometre of an aircraft is influenced by its size and capacity. While longer flights tend to burn more fuel overall, the cruising phase of shorter flights consumes a smaller percentage of total fuel. For instance, while a flight to Hong Kong burns the most fuel overall, 96% of the total fuel burned is attributed to cruising. In contrast, a flight to Paris, which is a shorter distance, burns less fuel overall, but 62% of the total fuel burned is attributed to cruising.
Aircraft size and capacity influence fuel efficiency, with larger planes like the Airbus A380 burning more fuel per hour than smaller planes. The number of seats and the weight of the aircraft are factors that impact fuel burn per kilometre. For instance, very long non-stop flights may need to limit the number of seats to compensate for the weight penalty of carrying extra fuel. Additionally, the weight of the aircraft decreases throughout the flight as fuel is burned, and the optimum cruising altitude increases.
The design features of an aircraft also play a role in fuel efficiency. For example, wingtip devices on Airbus planes since the A310-300 in 1985 have offered a 3.5% fuel burn reduction on flights over 2,800 km. Similarly, the "double-bubble" D8 aircraft, conceived by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for NASA, features a wide-lifting fuselage and a twin-aisle cabin, resulting in a 49% fuel burn reduction compared to the B737NG.
The efficiency of aircraft engines has improved significantly over time, contributing to reduced fuel burn per kilometre. Between 1967 and 2007, jet airliners became 70% more fuel-efficient, with a 40% improvement in engine efficiency and a 30% improvement in airframes. Newer aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350, and Bombardier CSeries are 20% more fuel-efficient per passenger kilometre than previous-generation aircraft.
The number of passengers and baggage weight can also impact fuel burn per kilometre. Private jet operators consider factors such as the number of passengers, baggage weight, length of flight, and other variables when estimating hourly fuel consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of fuel burned depends on the type of plane, the length of the flight, and the number of passengers and baggage. For example, a Boeing 747 burns approximately 36,000 gallons of fuel over a 10-hour flight.
Take-off is the most intense point of a flight in terms of fuel consumption, but it only accounts for a small fraction of the total fuel used. On longer flights, cruising burns the most fuel.
To minimize fuel consumption, an aircraft should cruise at the highest possible altitude where it can still generate sufficient lift. As the plane gets lighter throughout the flight due to fuel burn, it can increase its cruising altitude.
Private jets burn a variable amount of fuel depending on the type of aircraft. For example, the Bombardier Global 7500 burns 528 gallons per hour, while the Embraer Phenom 300 light jet consumes 183 gallons per hour.
