Regan Brown
The Boeing 747 is a long-range, wide-body airliner that has been in production since 1967. Anchorage International Airport, located on the south-central coast of Alaska, serves as a pit stop for global cargo carriers, with 80% of all air cargo traffic between Asia and North America passing through. The airport's unique market position allows carriers to increase their revenue by carrying more cargo and making a fuel stop in Anchorage. The Boeing 747 has a high fuel capacity, with different variants carrying between 48,400 and 63,034 gallons of fuel. The aircraft's range and maximum takeoff weight have been incrementally upgraded over time, with the 747-400 becoming the most popular member of the 747 family. The 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile, or 4,600 gallons per hour, and can carry up to 568 passengers.
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What You'll Learn
- A Boeing 747 can carry up to 63,000 gallons of fuel
- Anchorage International Airport is a pit stop for global cargo carriers
- Anchorage's unique market position facilitates other cargo hubs
- Anchorage's underground pipe system enables faster refuelling
- Anchorage's fuel mostly comes from Alaska or is shipped from the West Coast
A Boeing 747 can carry up to 63,000 gallons of fuel
The Boeing 747 is a four-engined jet aircraft that was designed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the United States between 1968 and 2023. It is one of the most recognisable airplanes in the world, with its distinctive raised cockpit and hump. The 747 was the first plane to be called a "Jumbo Jet" due to its size and capacity.
The 747 has a high fuel capacity to support its long-range capabilities. The exact fuel capacity depends on the variant of the 747 in question. The debut version, the 747-100, could carry 48,400 gallons of fuel. The 747-200 and 300 had a slightly increased capacity of 52,410 gallons. The 747-400 increased capacity further to 57,285 gallons. The 747-8i Intercontinental has the highest fuel capacity at 63,034 gallons, while the 747-8f freighter can hold 59,734 gallons.
The 747's fuel is primarily stored in the aircraft's wings, with two main fuel tanks in each wing, reserve fuel tanks in the outer wing sections, and a central wing tank in the middle. Select models can also use the horizontal stabilizer at the tail as an auxiliary fuel tank.
The high fuel capacity of the 747 is necessary for its long-haul international routes. The aircraft burns a significant amount of fuel, with an average fuel burn rate of 3,500 to 3,800 gallons per hour at cruising speed. The exact burn rate depends on passenger capacity and the type of engines installed. The 747 burns approximately 1 gallon of fuel every second, or about 5 gallons of fuel per mile.
Anchorage International Airport (ANC) in Alaska is a popular pit stop for 747 cargo jets due to its unique location. About 80% of all air cargo traffic between Asia and North America passes through ANC. The airport has a fast refuelling system that uses underground pipes to pump fuel into aircraft, which is more efficient than using fuel trucks.
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Anchorage International Airport is a pit stop for global cargo carriers
Anchorage International Airport, or ANC, is a significant hub for global cargo carriers, nestled on the south-central coast of Alaska. Its location is a key advantage, as it is roughly equidistant from major cities like Tokyo and New York City, making it accessible within a 9.5-hour flight from 90% of the industrialized world. This strategic position means that a large portion of air cargo traffic between Asia and North America passes through ANC.
The airport handles around 500 wide-body cargo plane landings per week, with the majority being Boeing 747s. These planes are known for their high fuel consumption, carrying approximately 48,000 to 63,000 gallons of fuel, depending on the variant. The Boeing 747 burns through a staggering 3,500 to 4,600 gallons of fuel per hour at cruising speed, with some estimates reaching 5,000 gallons during takeoff, the most fuel-intensive aspect of the flight.
To accommodate the high fuel demands of these cargo jets, ANC has a unique fuel delivery system. Unlike most airports, ANC does not rely on fuel trucks but instead uses an underground pipe system for faster refueling. This system enables efficient refueling of large aircraft like the 747, which a typical fuel truck cannot fill in a single trip.
The pit stop at Anchorage International Airport offers a strategic advantage to cargo carriers. Carriers can increase their revenue by carrying an extra 100,000 pounds of cargo by stopping in Anchorage, which is often only 100 miles off the direct route. This additional cargo capacity far outweighs the expenses incurred during the stop, making it a lucrative choice for carriers serving trade routes between Asia and North America.
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Anchorage's unique market position facilitates other cargo hubs
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is uniquely positioned to facilitate other cargo hubs. Firstly, its location plays a crucial role. Anchorage is situated near equidistantly between Europe, Asia, and North America, making it an ideal trans-Pacific pit stop for cargo flights. The airport is within 9.5 hours of 90-95% of the industrial world, making it a convenient technical stop for cargo carriers.
Secondly, ANC has been granted unique cargo transfer rights by the US Department of Transportation. These rights allow for flexible cargo transfers between different carriers and aircraft, including "on-line", "inter-line", "co-mingling", and "change-of-gauge" transfers. This flexibility enables efficient cargo handling and facilitates the business of other cargo hubs by optimizing the air cargo supply chain.
Additionally, ANC's infrastructure and procedures contribute to its unique position. The airport has three runways exceeding 10,600 feet, special ramp facilities, and an efficient underground fuel pipeline system, enabling faster refueling of aircraft like the 747. The airport's focus on ramp operations and quick turnaround services further enhance its role in facilitating other cargo hubs.
Moreover, ANC's role as a cargo hub has evolved over time. Initially, it served as a technical stop for passenger airlines, but with the decline in passenger traffic, cargo traffic increased significantly. Today, ANC handles a large volume of cargo, with over 8,000 cargo flights recorded in May 2023, connecting 103 different locations. The airport's efficiency and strategic location enable carriers to optimize their cargo loads and refueling, benefiting their overall operations and those of other cargo hubs.
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Anchorage's underground pipe system enables faster refuelling
Anchorage International Airport, or ANC, is a pit stop for global cargo carriers. It is nestled on the south-central coast of Alaska and is roughly equidistant from Tokyo and New York City. This unique location puts it within a 9.5-hour flight from 90% of the industrialized world. As a result, about 80% of all air cargo traffic between Asia and North America passes through Anchorage International Airport.
The airport handles around 500 wide-body cargo plane landings per week, mostly 747s. The Boeing 747 is a long-range, wide-body airliner that was manufactured in the United States between 1968 and 2023. It is one of the largest and fastest commercial jets in the world, with a cruising speed of 580 MPH. To facilitate its high fuel consumption on long-haul international routes, the 747 carries approximately 48,000 to 63,000 gallons of fuel, depending on the variant.
Unlike many airports, where trucks carry fuel to airplanes, Anchorage International Airport relies on an underground pipe system for refueling. This system enables faster refueling, as a typical fuel truck cannot fill up a 747 in one trip. With the underground pipe system, fuel can be pumped from both sides of an aircraft simultaneously for maximum efficiency. This unique refueling system, along with its strategic location, contributes to Anchorage International Airport's role as a crucial pit stop for global cargo carriers.
The airport's ability to facilitate efficient refueling and its proximity to major trade routes between Asia and North America make it a lucrative stop for carriers. By stopping in Anchorage, carriers can take on additional cargo, increasing their revenue significantly. The expenses incurred during these stops are estimated to be less than 10% of the additional revenue earned, making Anchorage International Airport an attractive option for cargo carriers.
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Anchorage's fuel mostly comes from Alaska or is shipped from the West Coast
A 747 cargo jet burns approximately 3,500 to 3,800 gallons of fuel per hour at cruising speed. This amounts to about 36,000 gallons of fuel over the course of a 10-hour flight. To facilitate such high fuel consumption, a 747 cargo jet carries approximately 48,400 gallons of fuel, with longer routes requiring more fuel capacity.
Anchorage International Airport, nestled on the south-central coast of Alaska, is a pit stop for global cargo carriers. About 80% of all air cargo traffic between Asia and North America passes through the airport. Carriers can carry an extra 100,000 pounds of cargo by making a fuel stop in Anchorage, which is only about 100 miles off the direct route. This results in significant cost savings for carriers, making Anchorage a crucial hub for cargo traffic.
The majority of the airport's fuel comes from Alaska or is shipped via barges from the West Coast to Anchorage's port facilities. Approximately 20% is transported from Asia via tanker ships. Alaska has five operating refineries, with a combined processing capacity of about 166,000 barrels of crude oil per calendar day. The Kenai refinery, southwest of Anchorage, produces most of the state's motor gasoline as well as some distillate fuel oil. This refinery is configured to process Alaska crude and specific foreign or Lower 48 crude types, maximizing jet fuel production for Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
The unique geography of Anchorage, equidistant from Tokyo and New York City, contributes to its strategic position in global cargo transportation. Unlike other cargo hubs, Anchorage does not have vast complexes of cargo warehouses or special transport roads. Instead, most of its business is conducted on the ramps, with cargo planes spending about two hours on the ramp during a stopover. Anchorage's efficient refueling system, utilizing an underground pipe network, further enhances its appeal as a cargo pit stop.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of fuel needed depends on the duration of the flight, but a 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile or 1 gallon of fuel every second. For a 10-hour flight, it might burn 36,000 gallons.
It takes over an hour to fuel a 747 to max capacity. The typical flow rate for common airliners is 3-5000 L/min.
The fuel capacity of a 747 cargo jet depends on the model. The 747-8i Intercontinental has a capacity of 63,034 gallons, while the 747-8f freighter can hold 59,734 gallons. The 747-200 and 300 have a capacity of 52,410 gallons, and the 747-400 can hold 57,285 gallons. The debut version, the 747-100, could carry 48,400 gallons of fuel.
Unlike many airports, Anchorage International Airport (ANC) uses an underground pipe system for refueling. One hose runs from an in-ground connection to a "connecting truck", and another hose connects the truck to the aircraft's gas tank. This system allows for faster refueling compared to using fuel trucks.
Anchorage is roughly equidistant from Tokyo and New York City, and 90% of the industrialized world is within a 9.5-hour flight. By stopping at Anchorage, cargo planes can carry an extra 100,000 pounds of cargo and increase revenue.
