Rajan Wilcox
The amount of fuel a plane burns through depends on a multitude of factors, including the aircraft type, empty weight, payload, engine efficiency, flight path, and weather conditions. For example, a Boeing 747 burns approximately 1 gallon of fuel per second, or 36,000 gallons over a 10-hour flight. However, when considering the number of passengers on board, the fuel efficiency per person increases significantly. With new planes achieving over 100 miles per gallon per person on full flights, aviation is responsible for only 12% of CO2 emissions from the transport sector, compared to 74% from road transport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel consumption rate | Depends on the aircraft type and flight duration |
| Fuel consumption factors | Aircraft's empty weight, carried payload, efficiency of the engines, flight path, and weather conditions |
| Boeing 747 fuel consumption | 1 gallon (4 liters) every second, 36,000 gallons (150,000 liters) for a 10-hour flight |
| Boeing 747 fuel consumption per mile | 5 gallons of fuel per mile (12 liters of fuel per kilometer) |
| Boeing 747 fuel efficiency per person | 100 miles per gallon (42 kilometers per liter) per person |
| Airbus A380 fuel consumption | 4,600 gallons (11,400 liters) of fuel per hour |
| Airbus A380 fuel efficiency per person | 20% increase in per-passenger fuel efficiency over the Boeing 747 |
| Fuel efficiency of a brand-new car | 35 miles per gallon |
| Airbus A350 fuel consumption | 17,000 gallons of fuel for a 3,000 nautical mile flight, 2,400 gallons per hour |
| Boeing 787-9 fuel consumption | 2,700 gallons per hour |
| Percentage of airline operating expenses spent on jet fuel | 25-40% |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel efficiency of planes
The fuel efficiency of an aircraft is the measure of the transport energy efficiency of the aircraft. The rate at which energy is imparted to the plane equals thrust multiplied by airspeed. The efficiency of an aircraft engine can be defined as the amount of energy imparted to the plane per unit of energy in the fuel.
The fuel efficiency of planes depends on several factors, including the aircraft type, engine type, flight duration, aerodynamics, weight, and velocity. For instance, a Boeing 747 uses approximately 1 gallon (about 4 liters) of fuel every second, burning around 36,000 gallons (150,000 liters) over a 10-hour flight. However, when considering the number of passengers, the fuel efficiency per person increases significantly.
The fuel efficiency of aircraft has improved over time. Between 1968 and 2014, the average fuel burn of new aircraft fell by 45%, with a compounded annual reduction of 1.3%. Newer aircraft, such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 737 MAX, consume less than three litres per 100 passenger kilometers, comparable to the fuel efficiency of compact cars.
To improve fuel efficiency, engineers focus on enhancing aerodynamics, reducing weight, and improving engine brake-specific fuel consumption and propulsive efficiency or thrust-specific fuel consumption. Additionally, new technologies, such as geared turbofans, open rotors, hybrid electric or fully electric propulsion, and advanced aerodynamics, can significantly reduce engine fuel consumption.
While aviation is working towards improving fuel efficiency, it is important to note that, currently, aviation will be one of the last sectors to decarbonize due to the challenges of displacing jet fuel.
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Fuel consumption of a Boeing 747
The Boeing 747, also known as the "Queen of the Skies", is a popular choice for long-haul flights due to its large capacity and long range. The fuel consumption of a Boeing 747 depends on several factors, including the model, configuration, and flight duration.
On average, a Boeing 747 can carry between 48,400 to 63,034 gallons of fuel, which equates to approximately 183,214 to 238,610 litres. The original 747-100 model, introduced in 1969, had a fuel capacity of 48,400 gallons. Subsequent models, such as the 747-200 and 747-300, improved upon this with a capacity of 52,410 gallons. The latest passenger version, the B747-8, offers an even higher capacity of 57,285 gallons, a 9% increase over its predecessors.
During cruise flight, a Boeing 747 burns approximately 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour, which translates to roughly one gallon (or four litres) of fuel every second. On a 10-hour flight, the plane might burn approximately 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel. When considering the number of passengers on board, the fuel efficiency of the 747 becomes more apparent. For example, on a flight with 500 passengers, the plane achieves 100 miles per gallon per person, or 42 kilometres per litre.
The Boeing 747 typically uses Jet A, Jet A-1, and Jet B fuels, which are refined kerosene-based products. These fuels are chosen due to their higher flash point compared to gasoline, making them safer and more efficient for large aircraft. The cost of refuelling a 747 can range from $140,000 to $170,000, depending on various factors such as fuel market price, route, model, fuel type, and taxes.
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Airbus A380 fuel usage
The Airbus A380, also known as the Superjumbo, is the world's largest jet airliner. It is offered with either the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or the Engine Alliance GP7000 turbofan engines. The A380 burns an average of 4,600 gallons (11,400 litres) of fuel per hour, or around 11-12 tons per hour per engine. This equates to a cost of approximately $45,000 USD worth of fuel for an 8-hour flight.
The A380 is more fuel-efficient than the older Boeing 747. It can carry over 800 passengers at maximum capacity, resulting in a 20% increase in per-passenger fuel efficiency compared to the 747. The A380's improved fuel efficiency is due in part to its modern engines and aerodynamic improvements, which allow it to carry 160 more passengers than the 747 while producing half the noise.
In February 2008, the A380 became the first airliner to fly using synthetic liquid fuel, marking a significant step towards evaluating the suitability of sustainable aviation fuels. The fuel, known as GTL fuel, is processed from gas to liquid form.
Despite its impressive fuel efficiency, the A380 faced challenges in the mid-2010s due to a transition in the airline industry to a point-to-point system, which gets customers to their destinations in fewer flights. The A380's massive scale was initially designed to serve the hub-and-spoke paradigm, which was less efficient than the point-to-point system. As a result, orders for the A380 slowed, and Airbus completed the assembly of the final A380 fuselage in September 2020.
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Fuel usage and emissions of planes vs. cars
When comparing the fuel usage and emissions of planes and cars, several factors must be considered, including the number of passengers, distance travelled, and fuel consumption per mile.
Let's begin by looking at fuel usage. A Boeing 747, one of the most common planes, consumes approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel every second, amounting to 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) during 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 usage per person becomes more efficient. For instance, with a capacity of 568 people, the 747's fuel consumption translates to 0.01 gallons per person per mile, resulting in 100 miles per gallon per person.
In comparison, a typical car achieves around 25 miles per gallon. Taking a long-distance trip, such as from New York City to Los Angeles, a car with two passengers would consume 112 gallons of fuel, or 56 gallons per person. This is significantly higher than the per-person fuel consumption on a plane for the same journey.
Now, let's discuss emissions. Planes have often been criticised for their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. However, recent data suggests that planes might not be the biggest culprits when compared to cars. When considering emissions per passenger per mile, a typical passenger car emits 232 grams of CO2 per mile per passenger. In contrast, a domestic flight emits 207 grams of CO2 per mile per passenger, while a long-haul flight emits 159 grams. Additionally, factors such as traffic jams and air conditioning can increase a car's emissions, making it comparable or even higher than flying over equivalent distances.
Furthermore, when examining the overall contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation sector as a whole, including cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes, accounts for a significant portion. In the United States, transportation is the number one contributor, with passenger cars responsible for 33.7% of total GHG emissions. When all road vehicles are considered, this figure rises to 75.3%. On the other hand, aviation, including general, military, and commercial planes, accounts for only 6.8% of greenhouse gas emissions, a much smaller proportion than that of passenger cars.
In summary, while planes may consume more fuel per mile than cars, they become more fuel-efficient when considering the number of passengers they can carry. Additionally, recent data suggests that planes might not be the largest contributors to emissions, especially when compared to the overall number of cars on the road. However, it is important to note that both planes and cars have a significant impact on fuel usage and emissions, and efforts should be made to optimise fuel efficiency and reduce environmental footprint.
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Factors affecting fuel consumption
Several factors influence the amount of fuel consumed by aircraft. Here are the key factors affecting fuel consumption:
Air Distance and Ground Distance:
Long-range flights or routes with multiple hub airports result in higher fuel consumption. The increased air and ground distance leads to more fuel burning. Airlines have started operating direct air routes to reduce fuel consumption associated with longer distances.
Flight Time:
The duration of a flight is directly related to fuel usage. Longer flight times require more fuel, and summer months tend to exhibit higher evening traffic, leading to increased fuel consumption rates.
Take-off Weight (TOW):
The weight of an aircraft significantly impacts fuel efficiency. Heavier aircraft require more fuel to generate lift and maintain flight. This includes the weight of the aircraft itself, cargo, passengers, and fuel.
Alternate Fuel and Average ISA:
The use of alternative fuels can impact overall fuel consumption, although the correlation may be weak. Additionally, atmospheric conditions, such as air pressure and temperature, can influence fuel efficiency, with flights at optimum altitudes generally being more fuel-efficient.
Aircraft Type and Engine Model:
Different aircraft models have varying fuel consumption rates. For example, the Boeing 747-400 burns approximately 10-11 tons of fuel per hour, while the Airbus A380 uses around 11-12 tons of fuel per hour. The engine model also plays a role in fuel efficiency, with advancements in engine technology leading to improved fuel burn rates.
These factors collectively contribute to the complex equation of fuel consumption in aircraft, and optimizing these variables can lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly aviation practices.
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on a multitude of factors, including the aircraft type, empty weight, carried payload, engine efficiency, flight path, and weather conditions. For example, a Boeing 747 burns approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel every second, whereas the Airbus A380 consumes 4,600 gallons of fuel per hour.
A brand-new car has an average consumption level of approximately 35 miles to the gallon. This means that to burn 23,000 gallons of fuel, a car would need to travel over three-quarters of a million miles. A plane, on the other hand, can burn the same amount of fuel in just a few hours.
The more people there are on a plane, the more fuel-efficient it becomes per person. For example, a Boeing 747 carrying 500 people is burning 0.01 gallons per person per mile, resulting in 100 miles per gallon per person.
Aviation is responsible for only 12% of all CO2 emissions from the transport sector, while road transport accounts for 74%. This suggests that planes are more fuel-efficient overall, despite their higher fuel consumption rates.
This depends on the aircraft type and flight duration. For example, a Boeing 747-400 burns around 10-11 tons of jet fuel per hour, while a Boeing 737-800 uses about 2.5-3 tons per hour. A typical transatlantic flight from New York to London, approximately 3,451 nautical miles, might require around 36,000 gallons of fuel for a Boeing 747-400.
