Ameer Randolph
The amount of fuel a Boeing aircraft can carry depends on several factors, including the aircraft's model, empty weight, payload, engine efficiency, flight path, and weather conditions. For instance, a Boeing 747 can hold approximately 48,400 to 57,285 gallons of jet fuel, depending on the model variant. During a 10-hour flight, such as from Los Angeles to London, a Boeing 747 will burn 36,000 gallons of fuel. On the other hand, a Boeing 787-9 burns approximately 2,700 gallons of fuel per hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boeing 747 fuel capacity | 48,400–57,285 gallons (183,214–216,847 litres) |
| Boeing 747 fuel consumption | 1 gallon/second; 10–11 tonnes/hour |
| 18,000 gallons/5-hour flight; 36,000 gallons/10-hour flight | |
| 5,000 gallons for takeoff and climb to cruising altitude | |
| 1,000–1,500 kg for taxiing | |
| Fuel cost for Boeing 747 | $69,212–$82,690 (jet fuel price in 2020: $1.43/gallon) |
| Fuel efficiency | 5 gallons/mile; 0.01 gallons/person/mile |
| Fuel usage comparison | 27 gallons/person for a 6-hour flight from New York City to Los Angeles |
| 4.18 litres/km for a 2-hour flight from Delhi to Mumbai | |
| Fuel usage for other aircraft | 4,600 gallons/hour for Airbus A380; 2,700 gallons/hour for Boeing 787-9 |
| 14,500 lb/hour for Boeing 777; 38 lb/nautical mile for Airbus A350 | |
| Maximum fuel capacity | 98,000 gallons (375,000 litres) for Antanov AN-225 |
| 665 gallons (2,520 litres) for Beechcraft 1900D |
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What You'll Learn
Boeing 747 fuel capacity: 48,400–57,285 gallons
The fuel capacity of a Boeing 747 varies depending on the model of the aircraft (model series 100–400). On average, a Boeing 747 can hold between 48,400 and 57,285 gallons of jet fuel, which is the equivalent of 183,214 to 216,847 litres or about 180 to 213 tonnes.
The Boeing 747 is one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the sky. On a 10-hour flight from Los Angeles to London, a Boeing 747 will burn 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel. This works out to 5 gallons of fuel per mile flown, or 0.01 gallons per person per mile. In comparison, a car gets about 25 miles per gallon.
The amount of fuel burned also depends on the aircraft's empty weight, carried payload, engine efficiency, flight path, and weather conditions. A typical Boeing 747 passenger jet burns approximately 5,000 gallons (about 19,000 litres) of fuel during takeoff and as it climbs to cruising altitude. During a 5-hour flight, a Boeing 747 will burn 18,000 gallons of fuel, which is the equivalent of 1 gallon of fuel every second.
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Boeing 747 fuel burn rate: 10–11 tonnes/hour
The Boeing 747 is one of the largest and fastest commercial jets. It relies on four turbofan engines that burn approximately 3,500 to 3,800 gallons of fuel per hour at cruising speed. This equates to a fuel burn rate of about 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour or roughly 1 gallon (approximately 3.8 to 4 litres) of fuel per second. The exact rate depends on the passenger capacity and the specific make and model of the engines.
The fuel capacity of the Boeing 747 is approximately 48,400 to 57,285 gallons, or 183,214 to 216,847 litres, depending on the model. This is equivalent to about 180 to 213 tonnes of fuel. The 747-8i Intercontinental variant has an even larger fuel capacity of 63,034 gallons, enabling it to fly longer routes that require more fuel.
The high fuel consumption of the Boeing 747 is necessary to facilitate its long-haul international routes. During a 10-hour flight, such as from Los Angeles to London, the plane burns approximately 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel. This includes the fuel burned during takeoff and climb to cruising altitude, which is approximately 5,000 gallons (19,000 litres).
Despite the seemingly high fuel consumption, when compared to other modes of transportation, the Boeing 747 is relatively efficient on a per-passenger basis. For example, on a flight with 500 passengers, the plane burns only 0.01 gallons of fuel per person per mile, resulting in a per-person fuel efficiency of 100 miles per gallon.
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Fuel cost: $69,212–$82,690 for a full tank
The cost of filling up a Boeing jet aircraft varies depending on the variant and the current fuel price. Using the price of jet fuel in 2020 ($1.43 per gallon) as a reference, it would cost between $69,212 and $82,690 to fill up a Boeing 747, depending on the aircraft variant. This price range reflects the different fuel capacities of the various 747 models, which can hold approximately 48,400 to 57,285 gallons of jet fuel.
It's important to note that the price of jet fuel in 2020 was unusually low due to the Covid pandemic. Typically, the average cost of jet fuel is 3 to 4 times higher. Therefore, the cost of filling up a Boeing 747 jet today would likely far exceed the figures from 2020.
The fuel efficiency of a Boeing jet also depends on several factors, including the aircraft's empty weight, payload, engine efficiency, flight path, and weather conditions. For example, a Boeing 747 burns approximately 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour, or about one gallon (around four litres) per second. On a 10-hour flight from Los Angeles to London, a Boeing 747 would burn 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel.
When comparing the fuel efficiency of a Boeing jet to other modes of transportation, it's important to consider the number of passengers it can carry. A Boeing 747 can carry up to 568 passengers, and when broken down per person per mile, the jet is quite efficient. For example, a car typically gets about 25 miles per gallon, while a Boeing 747 achieves 100 miles per gallon per person when carrying 500 passengers.
While the exact fuel capacity and efficiency vary across different models of Boeing jets, the fuel costs for operating these aircraft can be substantial. With jet fuel prices being a significant portion of an airline's operating expenses, it's no surprise that airlines are constantly seeking more fuel-efficient aircraft to reduce their overall fuel costs.
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Fuel efficiency: 0.01 gallons/person/mile
The fuel efficiency of a Boeing 747 jet is approximately 0.01 gallons per person per mile. This means that for every mile flown, each person on board is responsible for 0.01 gallons of jet fuel being burned.
To put this into perspective, let's consider a 10-hour flight from Los Angeles to London. During this flight, a Boeing 747 will burn approximately 36,000 gallons (150,000 liters) of jet fuel. If the plane is carrying 500 passengers, that works out to just 0.01 gallons per person per mile.
This fuel efficiency is actually very impressive when compared to other modes of transportation. For example, a typical car gets about 25 miles per gallon, but the 747 achieves 100 miles per gallon per person. So, despite the high fuel consumption of the plane, the efficiency per person is much better than that of a car.
It's worth noting that the amount of fuel burned can vary depending on the model of the Boeing 747, with some variants holding up to 57,285 gallons of jet fuel. Additionally, the price of jet fuel can impact the overall cost of fuelling a Boeing 747, with prices typically 3-4 times higher than the 2020 average during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Fuel type: Jet A, Jet A-1, or AVGAS
The amount of fuel a Boeing aircraft can carry depends on the model. For example, a Boeing 747 can hold approximately 48,400–57,285 gallons of jet fuel, depending on the aircraft variant. Over a 10-hour flight, such as from Los Angeles to London, a Boeing 747 will burn 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel.
Now, when it comes to the type of fuel used by Boeing aircraft, it is typically Jet A, Jet A-1, or AVGAS (aviation gasoline). Jet A and Jet A-1 are kerosene-based fuels used in turbine engine airplanes. They are colourless, easily combustible, and highly refined. Jet A-1, in particular, is a mix of extremely refined kerosene that burns at temperatures at or above 49 °C (120 °F). It has a freezing point of -47 °C, while Jet A has a slightly higher freezing point of -40 °C.
AVGAS, on the other hand, is used in smaller piston-engine airplanes, including traditional propeller aircraft, light helicopters, and vintage piston-engined aircraft. It has a higher octane content than standard automotive gasoline and is a highly refined form of gasoline with an emphasis on purity and anti-knock characteristics. AVGAS has a lower flashpoint than Jet A-1, making it more suitable for spark ignition-based systems.
It is important to distinguish between AVGAS and jet fuel to prevent confusion and potential dangers. Markings, colour differences, and specific nozzle sizes are used to differentiate the two fuel types.
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Frequently asked questions
A Boeing 747 can carry approximately 48,400 to 57,285 gallons of jet fuel, depending on the model of the aircraft.
A Boeing 747 will burn approximately 36,000 gallons of fuel on a 10-hour flight from Los Angeles to London.
A Boeing 747 will burn approximately 187,200 litres or 52,000 gallons of fuel on a 13-hour flight from Tokyo to New York City.
A Boeing 747 burns approximately 10 to 11 tonnes of fuel per hour. On a 7-hour flight from London to New York, it will burn approximately 70 to 77,000 tonnes of fuel.
Taking the price of jet fuel in 2020 as $1.43 per gallon, it would cost between $69,212 to $82,690 to fully fuel a Boeing 747, depending on the aircraft variant.
