Rajan Wilcox
The Boeing 747 is one of the most iconic airplanes in the world, with its high passenger capacity and long range allowing airlines to open new routes worldwide. The amount of fuel a Boeing 747 consumes depends on the aircraft model. The debut version, the 747-100, could carry 48,400 gallons of fuel, while the 747-8i Intercontinental carries 63,034 gallons. The four engines of the Boeing 747 burn approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel every second, or 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour when cruising. This equates to roughly 5 gallons of fuel per mile.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel consumption per second | 1 gallon (approximately 4 litres) |
| Fuel consumption per hour | 3,500 gallons (approximately 10-11 tonnes) |
| Fuel consumption for a 10-hour flight | 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) |
| Fuel consumption per mile | 5 gallons (approximately 12 litres) |
| Fuel capacity of 747-100 | 48,400 gallons (approximately 183,214 litres) |
| Fuel capacity of 747-200 and 300 | 52,410 gallons (199,158 litres) |
| Fuel capacity of 747-400 | 57,285 gallons (216,840 litres) |
| Fuel capacity of 747-8i Intercontinental | 63,034 gallons (238,610 litres) |
| Fuel capacity of 747-8f freighter | 59,734 gallons (226,095 litres) |
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What You'll Learn
A Boeing 747 burns 1 gallon of fuel per second
A Boeing 747 is a large, four-engine jet airliner that has been in service since 1969. It is one of the most recognisable aircraft in the world due to its distinctive hump-shaped upper deck. The 747 burns approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of jet fuel per second, or 3,600 gallons per hour. This works out to around 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel an hour when cruising at altitude.
The amount of fuel burned by a 747 can vary depending on several factors, including the aircraft model, the number of passengers on board, and the length of the flight. For example, the debut version of the 747, the 747-100, could carry 48,400 gallons of fuel, while the 747-200 and 300 models had a slightly increased fuel capacity of 52,410 gallons. The 747-400, the most popular member of the 747 family, could hold up to 57,285 gallons of fuel. The final 747 model, the 747-8, had a fuel capacity of 63,034 gallons for the passenger version and 59,734 gallons for the freighter version.
On a typical 10-hour flight, a 747 might burn 36,000 gallons of fuel. This works out to about 5 gallons of fuel per mile or 0.01 gallons per person per mile. While this may seem like a lot of fuel, it's important to consider the number of people on board. A 747 can carry up to 568 passengers, and when you calculate the fuel efficiency per person, it works out to 100 miles per gallon per person. This is much more efficient than a typical car, which gets about 25 miles per gallon.
The majority of the fuel on a 747 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. Takeoff is the most fuel-intensive part of a flight, with the aircraft burning up to 5,000 gallons of fuel during the process.
The fuel used by a 747 is typically Jet A or Jet A-1, which is a kerosene-based fuel that is easily combustible and has a high flash point. This type of fuel is used in most large planes due to its efficiency and power compared to gasoline.
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The 747's fuel capacity varies by model
The Boeing 747 is one of the world's most iconic aircraft, with an impressive range and high passenger capacity. The amount of fuel a 747 burns depends on the model and its configuration.
The debut version, the 747-100, could carry 48,400 gallons of fuel (approximately 183,214 litres). The next iterations, the 747-200 and 300, had a slightly increased fuel capacity of 52,410 gallons (199,158 litres). The 747-400, the most popular variant, could hold 57,285 gallons (216,840 litres), a more than 9% increase over its predecessor.
The final 747 model, the 747-8, was produced in two versions. The 747-8i Intercontinental could carry 63,034 gallons (238,610 litres), while the 747-8f freighter had a capacity of 59,734 gallons (226,095 litres).
The fuel efficiency of the 747 is impressive when considered in terms of passenger numbers. While the plane burns approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel per second, or 5 gallons per mile, this equates to 100 miles per gallon per passenger when the plane is carrying 500 people.
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Takeoff is the most fuel-intensive part of a flight
The Boeing 747 is one of the most iconic aircraft in the world, with a high passenger capacity and long range. The amount of fuel consumed by a Boeing 747 depends on the model and variant. The debut version, the 747-100, could carry 48,400 gallons of fuel, while the 747-200 and 300 variants had a capacity of 52,410 gallons. The 747-400, the most popular member of the 747 family, could hold 57,285 gallons. The final 747 model, the 747-8, had a capacity of 63,034 gallons.
On average, a Boeing 747 burns approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel every second, or 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour when cruising. This equates to about 5 gallons of fuel per mile. As a result, a 10-hour flight might burn 36,000 gallons of fuel.
Despite the high fuel consumption, the efficiency of the 747 is evident when considering its passenger capacity. On a flight with 500 passengers, the plane achieves 100 miles per gallon per person. This is significantly more efficient than the average car, which gets about 25 miles per gallon.
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Jet fuel is kerosene-based
A Boeing 747 can carry approximately 63,000 gallons of fuel, which is roughly equivalent to 400,000 pounds. This is nearly as much as the weight of the empty plane. During a 10-hour flight, a Boeing 747 might burn through 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of jet fuel, consuming about 1 gallon (4 litres) every second.
Jet fuel is primarily kerosene-based, and it is used in turbine engine airplanes. Kerosene is chosen over gasoline because it has a higher flash point, making it less flammable and safer to handle and transport. Additionally, kerosene burns more slowly and at a relatively cooler temperature, reducing the risk of pre-ignition issues and enhancing safety. The higher energy density of kerosene compared to gasoline also results in greater power output.
The specific type of kerosene-based jet fuel can vary, with options such as Jet A, Jet A-1, JP-5, and JP-8. These different types of jet fuel have distinct carbon number distributions, typically ranging from 8 to 16 carbon atoms per molecule. The choice of jet fuel depends on factors like the freezing point or smoke point requirements for a particular application.
While kerosene-based jet fuel is the most common, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable alternatives. Synthetic fuels, such as Fischer–Tropsch (FT) Synthesized Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK), are being certified for use in blends with conventional jet fuel. These synthetic jet fuels have the potential to reduce pollutants and improve air quality around airports. Additionally, natural gas-derived synthetic kerosene and biofuels are also being explored as alternatives to conventional fossil-based jet fuels.
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The 747's wings store most of its fuel
The Boeing 747 is a large aircraft with a high fuel capacity. The amount of fuel it can carry depends on the model, but the plane can store up to 63,034 gallons of fuel (238,610 litres) in the case of the 747-8i Intercontinental. The 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile, or 1 gallon (about 4 litres) every second. This equates to around 10 to 11 tonnes (3,500 gallons) of fuel burned every hour when cruising.
The 747's high fuel capacity enables it to fly long routes, carrying thousands of gallons of fuel to remain aloft. The debut version, the 747-100, had a fuel capacity of 48,400 gallons (approximately 183,214 litres). Subsequent models, such as the 747-200 and 300, incrementally increased the fuel capacity to 52,410 gallons (199,158 litres). The 747-400, the most popular variant, could hold 57,285 gallons (216,840 litres), a more than 9% increase over its predecessor.
Takeoff is the most fuel-intensive phase of a flight for the 747, consuming up to 5,000 gallons (about 19,000 litres) of fuel. During a 10-hour flight, a 747 might burn through 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel. Despite these large fuel consumption numbers, when considered in terms of fuel efficiency per passenger, the 747 performs well. On a flight with 500 passengers, the plane achieves 100 miles per gallon per person.
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Frequently asked questions
A Boeing 747 burns approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel every second.
The four engines of the Boeing 747 burn around 10 to 11 tonnes (3,500 gallons) of fuel an hour when cruising at altitude.
On a 10-hour flight, a Boeing 747 might burn 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel.
Takeoff is the most fuel-intensive aspect of each flight, with the aircraft burning up to 5,000 gallons (about 19,000 litres) during the process.
