Sylvie Willis
The Boeing 747 is one of the most iconic aircraft in the world. Its high passenger capacity and long range have enabled airlines to open new routes worldwide. The 747's fuel capacity is not set in stone and varies depending on the model and configuration. On average, it can carry between 48,400 and 63,636 gallons of jet fuel, which is equivalent to 183,214–240,890 litres or about 180–213 tonnes. The debut version, the 747-100, launched in 1969, holds 48,400 gallons of jet fuel. The latest version, the 747-8i, can carry 63,034 gallons of fuel, while the cargo version, the 747-8f, has a capacity of 59,734 gallons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel capacity of a Boeing 747 | 48,400 to 63,636 gallons |
| Fuel capacity of the debut version, the 747-100 | 48,400 gallons |
| Fuel capacity of the 747-200 and 300 | 52,410 gallons |
| Fuel capacity of the 747-400 | 57,285 gallons |
| Fuel capacity of the 747-8i | 63,034 gallons |
| Fuel capacity of the 747-8f | 59,734 gallons |
| Fuel capacity of the Dreamlifters | 49,526 gallons |
| Fuel capacity in litres | 183,214 to 240,890 litres |
| Fuel capacity in tonnes | 180 to 213 tonnes |
| Fuel burned per second | 1 gallon (4 litres) |
| Fuel burned per minute | 60 gallons |
| Fuel burned per hour | 3,600 gallons |
| Fuel burned during takeoff | 5,000 gallons |
| Fuel burned per mile | 5 gallons |
| Fuel burned per passenger per mile | 0.01 gallons |
| Fuel efficiency per passenger | 100 miles to the gallon |
| Cost of refuelling | $50,000 to $200,000 |
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What You'll Learn
The Boeing 747-8i holds 63,034 gallons
The Boeing 747 is one of the most recognizable airplanes in the world. It has a long range and a high passenger capacity, allowing airlines to open up new and previously unserved direct routes worldwide. The 747 continues to fly some of the longest routes globally, carrying thousands of gallons of fuel. The amount of fuel depends on the aircraft model, and Boeing has produced several versions with varying fuel capacities.
The debut version, the 747-100, which first flew in 1969, could carry 48,400 gallons of fuel. The next two versions, the 747-200 and 300, offered a fuel capacity of 52,410 gallons. The 747-400 model, with a 9% increase in fuel capacity compared to its predecessors, could hold 57,285 gallons.
The final series of the 747 family, the 747-8, includes the 747-8i Intercontinental, which can carry 63,034 gallons of fuel. This is a significant increase in fuel capacity compared to earlier models, thanks to its deeper and thicker wing design. The 747-8i can fly 8,000 miles or more on a full tank, showcasing its impressive range and fuel efficiency.
The 747-8i's cargo counterpart, the 747-8f freighter, has a fuel capacity of 59,734 gallons. These figures demonstrate the remarkable fuel capacities and efficiencies that Boeing has achieved with its 747 family of aircraft, particularly with the latest 747-8 series.
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The 747-8f freighter holds 59,734 gallons
The 747 is one of the most recognisable airplanes in the world. Its long range and high passenger capacity have allowed airlines to open up new routes. The amount of fuel it can carry depends on the aircraft model.
The 747-8F freighter is a variant of the 747. It has a shorter upper deck than the Intercontinental version and can carry 308,000 pounds (140 t) over 4,120 nautical miles. The 747-8F has a fuel capacity of 59,734 gallons (226,095 litres). This is slightly less than the 747-8i Intercontinental, which can carry 63,034 gallons (238,610 litres).
The 747-8F's first engine runs were completed in December 2009, and its maiden flight was on February 8, 2010. The freighter version was delivered in October 2011, and the final aircraft was delivered to Atlas Air on January 31, 2023.
Other 747 models have different fuel capacities. For example, the 747-100, the debut version, could carry 48,400 gallons of fuel, while the 747-200 and 300 models could carry 52,410 gallons. The 747-400 increased this capacity to 57,285 gallons.
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The 747-400 holds 57,285 gallons
The Boeing 747, also known as the "Queen of the Skies", is a popular choice for airlines operating long-haul routes due to its large fuel capacity. The specific fuel capacity of a 747 varies across different models and configurations. For instance, the debut version, the 747-100, which first flew in 1969, could carry 48,400 gallons of jet fuel.
The 747-400, on the other hand, boasts a 9% increase in fuel capacity compared to its predecessors, holding up to 57,285 gallons of fuel. This amounts to 216,840 litres or 219,000 litres, according to different sources. To put this into perspective, this is enough fuel to power the aircraft for about 8,000 miles, depending on various factors such as speed and weight.
The 747-400's impressive fuel capacity is facilitated by its fuel tank design. It typically has four main fuel tanks located in the wings, a tail plane tank, a centre wing tank, and reserve fuel tanks in the outer wing sections. This distribution of fuel helps maintain symmetry during fuel delivery to the engines, enhancing stability and efficiency.
The 747-400's fuel efficiency is further demonstrated when considering its fuel consumption per passenger. While the aircraft burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile, or 3,600 gallons per hour when cruising, this equates to just 0.01 gallons per passenger per mile when fully loaded with 500 passengers. This translates to an impressive 100 miles per gallon per person.
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The 747-200 and 300 hold 52,410 gallons
The Boeing 747 is one of the most recognisable aircraft in the world. Its high passenger capacity and long range have made it a popular choice for airlines. The 747's fuel capacity varies depending on the specific model and the type of fuel it uses. The debut version, the 747-100, could carry 48,400 gallons of fuel. The next two versions, the 747-200 and 300, came with several upgrades, including a fuel capacity of 52,410 gallons.
The 747-200 and 300 models featured incremental upgrades to increase range and maximum takeoff weight, as well as additional windows on the upper deck. The fuel capacity was also slightly increased, allowing the aircraft to fly longer routes. The 747-200 and 300 can hold 52,410 gallons of fuel, which is equivalent to 199,158 litres.
The Boeing 747 is not considered a fuel-efficient aircraft when compared to other aircraft. However, when you consider the number of passengers it can carry, the fuel efficiency per passenger improves significantly. A typical 747 flight with 500 passengers would consume 0.01 gallons of fuel per passenger per mile, resulting in 100 miles to the gallon for every passenger.
The 747-400 model further improved upon the range, capacity, and fuel efficiency of the previous models. It became the most popular member of the 747 family and offered a 9% increase in fuel capacity, bringing it to 57,285 gallons. The latest version, the 747-8, offers even more impressive fuel capacity, with passenger models holding 63,034 gallons and cargo models holding 59,734 gallons.
The fuel capacity of the Boeing 747 is a crucial factor in determining the aircraft's range, efficiency, and overall operational costs. Filling up a 747 can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000, and fluctuations in fuel prices can significantly impact airline operating costs and ticket prices.
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The 747-100 holds 48,400 gallons
The Boeing 747, also known as the "Queen of the Skies", is an ideal choice for long routes due to its large capacity and long range. The aircraft's fuel capacity varies among models and configurations. The debut version, the 747-100, which launched in 1969, holds 48,400 gallons of jet fuel. This is equivalent to approximately 183,214 litres.
The 747-100 was followed by the 747-100B, a higher maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) variant, and the 747-100SR (Short Range), with higher passenger capacity. The 747-100B has an increased fuel capacity of 48,070 US gallons (182,000 litres), allowing for a 5,000-nautical-mile (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) range with a typical 452-passenger payload.
The next two versions, the 747-200 and 300, featured significant improvements, including a fuel capacity of 52,410 gallons (199,158 litres). The 747-400 has become a popular choice among airlines thanks to its 9% increased fuel capacity compared to its predecessors (57,285 gallons or 216,840 litres).
The 747-400F consumes approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile, or 3,600 gallons of fuel per hour. During takeoff, the aircraft burns up to 5,000 gallons of fuel. The majority of the fuel is 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.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel capacity of a 747 varies depending on the model and type of fuel. The debut version, the 747-100, can carry 48,400 gallons of jet fuel. The latest version, the 747-8, can carry 63,034 gallons for passenger models and 59,734 gallons for cargo models.
The cost of filling up a 747 depends on the fuel market price, the flying route, the aircraft model, fuel type, and taxes. It can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000 to fill up a 747's fuel tanks.
A 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile. This works out to about 0.01 gallons per passenger per mile, or 100 miles to the gallon per passenger.
A 747 burns about 3,600 gallons of fuel per hour, or 60 gallons per minute. This is equivalent to about 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour when cruising at altitude.
