Regan Brown
The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is located onboard an aircraft to provide electrical power on the ground, typically when the main engines are off. The APU burn rate depends on the aircraft type and conditions. For example, the Boeing 737-800 burns 850 US gallons (3,200 liters) of jet fuel per hour, while the APU burn rate for the B737 is estimated to be 200 lbs or 102 kg per hour. The A320, a similar aircraft to the B737, has an APU fuel burn rate of 126 kg/hour. To reduce fuel consumption and costs, airlines can monitor APU usage and utilize alternative power sources such as Ground Power Units (GPU), which use less than 20 kg of fuel per hour.
Boeing 737 APU Fuel Consumption Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| APU burn rate | 225 lbs (102 kg) per hour |
| APU fuel consumption | 110 kg/hour |
| Gate fuel | 200 lbs per hour |
| Quick turn gate fuel | 100 lbs |
| Ground Power Units (GPU) fuel consumption | 20 kg of fuel per hour |
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What You'll Learn
The Boeing 737-800 burns 850 US gallons of fuel per hour
The Boeing 737-800 is a popular aircraft, with over 5,000 ordered as of May 2025. It is a twin-engine narrow-body aircraft and part of the 737 Next Generation (737NG) family, an upgrade of the 737 Classic series. The 737-800 is a stretched version of the 737-700 and replaced the 737-400.
The 737-800 burns 850 US gallons (3,200 litres) of jet fuel per hour. This figure can vary depending on certain factors. For example, a weight reduction of 700 pounds (320 kilograms) on a 737-800 results in a 0.5% reduction in fuel burn.
The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) burn rate for the 737-800 is approximately 225 pounds (102 kilograms) per hour. This is based on an observation of fuel burn from Tank Number 1 on a 737-800 during winter operations. The APU burn rate can be used to estimate how much additional fuel is required for ground operations, such as deicing, which can take up to 15 minutes. Typically, an extra 100-200 pounds of fuel is added per hour of ground time.
It is important for pilots and ground crew to be aware of the APU burn rate to ensure accurate fuel loading for the aircraft. Reducing unnecessary fuel burn has a positive environmental impact and reduces operational costs.
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A 737 APU burns 110 kg of fuel per hour
The Boeing 737 APU burns fuel at a rate of 110 kg per hour. This rate of fuel burn is important to know for both pilots and ground staff. Pilots need to be aware of the APU burn rate to ensure they have enough fuel for their planned flight. Flight dispatchers and aircraft fuellers also need to be aware of the rate to ensure the plane is fuelled correctly.
The APU, or Auxiliary Power Unit, is used to provide electrical power on the ground to ensure turnaround operations when the main engines cannot be used. It can also be used in flight or during taxi in specific situations, such as engine failure. When on the ground, the APU can be used alongside Ground Power Units (GPUs) and Air Conditioning Units (ACUs), but using these systems together results in significantly increased fuel consumption and maintenance costs.
To avoid this, airlines are increasingly interested in tracking APU usage on the ground. By monitoring APU usage, airlines can limit its use in conjunction with GPUs and ACUs, reducing fuel consumption, maintenance costs, CO2 emissions, and noise levels.
Estimates of APU burn rates are used to calculate how much fuel to add on top of the requested gate fuel. For example, if an aircraft is going to be sitting at the gate with the APU running for 45 minutes to an hour, an additional 200 lbs of fuel will be added. If the aircraft will be sitting at the gate for less than 30 minutes, only an additional 100 lbs of fuel will be needed.
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A320 APU burn is 126 kg/hour
An Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is located onboard an aircraft to provide electrical power on the ground to ensure turnaround operations when the main engines cannot be used. The APU can also be used in flight or during taxi in some specific situations, such as engine failure or single-engine taxi, to complement the energy supplied by the engines or batteries. Once the APU is running, it provides power to start the aircraft's main engines, which are usually turned off as soon as they are switched on.
Tracking APU fuel consumption on the ground is important for improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Traditionally, airlines have poorly tracked APU usage on the ground, and utilisation tends to be much higher than reported, even when alternatives like GPU, ACU, and 400 Hz power exist. By monitoring APU usage, airlines can identify opportunities to use alternative power sources and reduce fuel consumption.
The APU fuel burn rate varies depending on the aircraft type. For a Boeing B737-800, the APU burn rate is approximately 225 lbs (102 kg) per hour. This value was calculated based on a 45-minute observation of fuel burn from Tank Number 1 during winter operations.
For an A320 aircraft, the APU fuel burn rate is higher, at 126 kg/hour. This burn rate is likely similar to that of the A319 since these aircraft have similar sizes. During ground operations, the APU fuel consumption for the A320 can be even higher, at approximately 130 kg/hour, when the packs are on and 90 kVA is drawn from the APU generator.
It is important to note that APU maintenance costs can vary depending on the lease or purchase agreement, and accurate tracking of APU usage is crucial for calculating operating costs. Additionally, factors such as weather conditions and de-icing operations can impact the overall fuel consumption and should be considered when planning fuel requirements.
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200 lbs of fuel is added per hour for aircraft sitting at the gate
The fuel consumption of an aircraft while it is on the ground is an important consideration for airlines. An Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is located onboard the aircraft to provide electrical power on the ground to ensure turnaround operations, when the main engines cannot be used. The APU can also be used in some specific situations during taxi or in flight.
The Boeing 737 APU fuel consumption is 110 kg/hour. However, this does not account for the entire fuel consumption of the aircraft while on the ground. The APU burn rate can be used to estimate the amount of fuel to add to the original gate fuel. This is done to avoid having to refuel the aircraft due to the APU being left running during a crew change or aircraft swap.
A Multi-Engine Commercial Pilot, Ashley Wincer, states that they use 200 lbs per hour to estimate the additional fuel required if the aircraft is sitting at the gate with the APU running for 45 minutes to an hour. If the aircraft is only at the gate for less than 30 minutes, 100 lbs of additional fuel is added. This estimation is based on Wincer's experience working as a Flight Dispatcher and an Aircraft Fueler.
Based on a 45-minute observation of Tank Number 1 on a Boeing B737-800 in winter, Wincer calculated an hourly burn rate of 225 lbs (102 kg) per hour. This is higher than the estimated burn rate of 110 kg/hour. Wincer also mentions that an additional 100 lbs of taxi fuel may be required for flights that are expecting to be waiting in line for deicing.
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APU burn rate is important for flight dispatchers and aircraft refuellers
The APU, or Auxiliary Power Unit, is located onboard an aircraft to provide electrical power on the ground to ensure turnaround operations, and in some cases, it can be used in-flight or during taxi. It is important for flight dispatchers and aircraft refuellers to be aware of the APU burn rate to ensure the efficient use of fuel and avoid the inconvenience and cost of having to refuel an aircraft that has already been fuelled.
During winter deicing operations, aircraft may have to wait to be deiced after being pushed back from the gate, and the APU will be running during this time, burning fuel. Flight dispatchers can manually add additional taxi fuel when the flight plan is generated to account for this, and knowing the APU burn rate will help them to calculate the correct amount of extra fuel required.
Aircraft refuellers also need to be aware of the APU burn rate to ensure they are adding enough extra fuel to the original gate fuel to cover the time the aircraft is waiting with the APU running. This helps to avoid being called back to add more fuel, which is inconvenient and costly, especially in cold and windy weather.
By monitoring APU usage and fuel consumption, airlines can also identify opportunities to save fuel by using alternative power sources such as Ground Power Units (GPUs) or Air Conditioning Units (ACUs) instead of the APU. This can result in significant fuel savings and reduced maintenance costs, as well as a positive environmental impact by reducing CO2 emissions and noise levels.
Overall, understanding the APU burn rate is crucial for flight dispatchers and aircraft refuellers to ensure accurate fuel calculations, avoid costly and inconvenient refuelling, and optimize fuel efficiency by exploring alternative power sources.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel consumption of a 737 APU is 110 kg/hour or 225 lbs per hour.
Divide the amount of fuel burned by the total time of burning and multiply that number by 60.
The 737-800 burns 850 US gallons (3,200 litres) of jet fuel per hour.
The A319 and A320 likely have a similar fuel burn rate to the 737. The A320 APU fuel burn is 126 kg/hour.
Monitoring APU usage can help reduce fuel costs and maintenance costs. It also has a positive environmental impact by reducing CO2 emissions and noise levels.
