Rajan Wilcox
The Boeing 747 is a popular aircraft for long-haul flights due to its large fuel capacity and range. The amount of fuel a 747 can hold depends on the model and configuration, with the debut version, the 747-100, capable of carrying 48,400 gallons of fuel. Subsequent models, such as the 747-200 and 300, increased the fuel capacity to 52,410 gallons, while the 747-400 further improved fuel efficiency and capacity, with a capacity of 57,285 gallons. The final 747 model, the 747-8, has a capacity of 63,034 gallons and can fly over 8,000 miles on a full tank. The 747's fuel efficiency is also notable, with a fuel burn rate of around 10-11 tons or 22,000-24,000 pounds of jet fuel per hour during cruise.
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What You'll Learn
The Boeing 747-100 holds 48,400 gallons of jet fuel
The Boeing 747 is a large strategic transport aircraft that was first launched in 1969. The Boeing 747-100 was the original variant of the aircraft, which was manufactured in 1968 and first flew on February 9, 1969. This aircraft holds 48,400 gallons of jet fuel.
The Boeing 747-100 was developed in response to the United States Air Force's (USAF) need for a large aircraft that could carry cargo that would not fit in existing aircraft. The aircraft's design included a full-length double-deck fuselage with eight-across seating and two aisles on the lower deck and seven-across seating and two aisles on the upper deck. The high-winged design allowed for the loading of cargo from the front, with the cockpit positioned above the cargo area.
The Boeing 747-100 has a range of 4,620 nautical miles (8,556 km) and was key to the success of Pan Am in the 1970s and 1980s. The aircraft's ability to carry a large number of passengers and cargo at a reduced cost per seat revolutionized airline transport and made long-haul international travel more accessible to the masses.
Following the 747-100, Boeing developed the -100B, which had a higher maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and increased fuel capacity. The -200 model, launched in 1971, featured more powerful engines and an even higher MTOW. The 747 line continued to evolve, with the introduction of the 747-300, 747-400, and 747-8 variants, each offering improved fuel capacity and performance.
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The 747-200 and 300 hold 52,410 gallons
The Boeing 747 has had several versions, each with different fuel capacities. The 747-200 and 747-300, which were launched in 1971 and 1983, respectively, have a fuel capacity of 52,410 gallons. This was an improvement over the previous 747-100 model, which could hold 48,400 gallons of jet fuel.
The 747-200 was the first 747 to offer a choice of powerplants from the three major engine manufacturers. It had a maximum range of 6,560 nautical miles, and a maximum takeoff weight of 833,000 pounds. The -200B was the basic passenger version, with increased fuel capacity and more powerful engines. It had a range of over 5,000 nautical miles with a full passenger load, increasing to 6,000 nautical miles with later engines. The freighter model, the 747-200F, had a capacity of 105 tons and a maximum takeoff weight of up to 833,000 pounds. The convertible version, the 747-200C, could be converted between a passenger and freighter configuration.
The 747-300 featured a stretched upper deck, providing room for up to 400 seats in three classes. It introduced a new straight stairway to the upper deck, creating more space above and below. The 747-300 also had minor aerodynamic changes, allowing it to reach a cruise speed of Mach 0.85, slightly higher than the previous models.
The 747-400, which followed the 747-300, became the most popular member of the 747 family. It offered further improvements in range, capacity, and fuel efficiency. It had wingtip extensions and winglets, improving fuel efficiency by four percent compared to previous versions. The 747-400 is also available in freighter, combi, domestic, and extended-range configurations.
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The 747-400 holds 57,285 gallons
The Boeing 747 is one of the most recognisable aircraft in the world. Its long range and high passenger capacity have allowed airlines to open up new and previously unserved direct routes worldwide. The 747-400, in particular, has become a popular choice among airlines thanks to its 9% increased fuel capacity compared to its predecessors.
The 747-400 can carry 57,285 gallons of fuel (216,840 litres or 165,000 to 174,093 kilograms). This is a significant increase from the debut version of the 747, the 747-100, which could carry 48,400 gallons of fuel. The 747-200 and 300 models featured a fuel capacity of 52,410 gallons. The latest version, the 747-8, achieves an even more impressive capacity of 63,034 gallons for passenger models (747-8i) and 59,734 gallons for cargo models (747-8f).
The 747-400's fuel capacity allows it to fly approximately 8,000 miles or more on a full tank, depending on speed, aircraft weight, and other factors. The four engines of the 747 burn approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel every second, or about 10 to 11 tonnes (3,500 gallons) of fuel per hour when cruising. This fuel efficiency is even more remarkable when considering the number of passengers it can carry; a full flight of 500 passengers would equate to 100 miles to the gallon for every passenger.
The Boeing 747 stores fuel in its wings, with two main fuel tanks in each wing and reserve fuel tanks in the outer wing sections. The majority of the fuel is stored in the wings to maintain symmetry throughout the fuel delivery to the engine and to keep the plane balanced.
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The 747-8i Intercontinental holds 63,034 gallons
The Boeing 747 is a large, long-range wide-body airliner that has been in operation since the 1970s. The 747-8 is the latest and largest model in the 747 family, and it was officially launched in 2005. The 747-8 includes the 747-8 Intercontinental (also known as the 747-8I) in passenger and VIP variants, as well as the 747-8 freighter aircraft. The 747-8I passenger variant has a maximum fuel capacity of 63,034 gallons (238,610 litres or 243,120 litres, according to another source) and can carry up to 467 passengers in a typical three-class configuration.
The 747-8I is more fuel-efficient than previous 747 models. For example, the 747-100 has a maximum fuel capacity of 48,445 gallons (183,380 litres) and achieves 0.11 miles per gallon, while the 747-8I achieves 0.142 miles per gallon (based on a load of 410 passengers). The 747-8's improved fuel efficiency is due in part to its use of technologies developed for the 787 Dreamliner, including the engines, interior configuration, flight deck technologies, instrumentation, and wing configuration. These improvements result in a 15% increase in fuel efficiency compared to the 747-400.
Despite these improvements, the 747-8 is not considered a fuel-efficient vehicle when compared to other aircraft. For example, a car travelling from New York to Los Angeles consumes 56 gallons of fuel per person, while a Boeing 747 on the same route consumes approximately 27 gallons of fuel per person. However, when considering the maximum load per flight of around 568 people, the 747 becomes more fuel-efficient per person than a car.
The high fuel capacity of the 747-8I is necessary for its long-range capabilities. A full tank of fuel can get a 747-8I to fly 8,000 miles or more, depending on factors such as speed and aircraft weight. The 747-8I has a maximum range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 kilometres or 9,200 miles) when carrying a typical load of 467 passengers.
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The 747-8F freighter holds 59,734 gallons
The fuel capacity of a 747 depends on the model. The 747-8F freighter model, which uses 787 Dreamliner technology, can hold 59,734 gallons of jet fuel. This is an impressive capacity, but it is not the largest in the 747 family. The 747-8 Intercontinental (747-8i) passenger model, for example, has a capacity of 63,034 gallons.
The 747 is not considered a fuel-efficient aircraft compared to other modern planes. Its four turbofan engines burn 3,500 to 3,800 gallons of fuel per hour at cruising speed, or about 1 gallon per second. This equates to a fuel economy of 0.18 miles per gallon. However, when the number of passengers is taken into account, the fuel efficiency improves significantly. On a flight carrying 500 people, for instance, the fuel economy becomes 100 miles per gallon for every passenger.
The 747 stores its fuel in the wings, which frees up space in the body for cargo and passengers. This design also helps maintain the plane's centre of gravity and improves stability. The wing tanks are filled first, and then any remaining fuel needed for the specific flight is added to the central wing tank. Select models of the 747 can also use the horizontal stabilizer at the tail as an auxiliary fuel tank to increase total capacity.
Refuelling a 747 typically costs between $140,000 and $170,000, depending on factors such as fuel market price, route, model, fuel type, and taxes.
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Frequently asked questions
The 747-100 holds 48,400 gallons of jet fuel, or approximately 183,214 liters.
A Boeing 747 burns around 10-11 tons (22,000-24,000 pounds) of jet fuel per hour. A transatlantic flight from New York to London, approximately 3,451 nautical miles, would require around 36,000 gallons (136,275 liters) of fuel.
It costs around $140,000 to $170,000 to refuel a Boeing 747, but the price depends on factors like the fuel market price, the route, the model, fuel type, and taxes.
Takeoff is the most fuel-intensive part of a flight for a 747. The aircraft burns up to 5,000 gallons (about 19,000 liters) during the process.
![Historic Framed Print, [Aerial view of a Boeing B-47 Stratojet taking on a load of jet fuel from a Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter tanker-transport], 17-7/8" x 21-7/8"](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41oiyZFaisL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
