Sylvie Willis
Fuel is a major expense for airlines, accounting for 20-40% of their total expenditure. The cost of aviation fuel is influenced by various factors, including the type of aircraft, sector length, cargo weight, and direction of travel. For instance, a Boeing 747 can burn around 36,000 gallons of fuel during a 10-hour flight, while the Airbus A380, the largest jet airliner, burns approximately 4,600 gallons per hour. Fuel prices also fluctuate over time, with Jet A1 fuel costing approximately $816 per metric tonne in January 2022, a significant increase from the previous year. These factors collectively impact the overall fuel consumption and costs for airlines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel as a percentage of airline expenditure | 20-40% |
| Factors affecting fuel use | Sector length, taxi time, cargo weight, weather, jet stream direction |
| Type of fuel used | Jet A, Jet A-1, Aviation gasoline (AVGAS) |
| Boeing 747 fuel efficiency | 5 gallons of fuel per mile (12 liters of fuel per kilometer) |
| Boeing 747 fuel efficiency per person | 0.01 gallons per person per mile (100 miles per gallon) |
| Airbus A380 fuel efficiency | 4,600 gallons of fuel per hour (11,400 liters) |
| Average fuel price for a flight between JFK and LHR | $27,270 |
| Average fuel price for a flight between JFK and LAX | $10,757 |
| Average fuel price for a flight between ORD and MIA | $4,747 |
| US airline fuel cost per gallon in September 2023 | $3.14 |
| US airline fuel cost per gallon in August 2023 | $2.82 |
| US airline fuel cost per gallon in September 2019 | $1.95 |
| Jet A1 fuel price in January 2022 | $816 per metric tonne |
| Jet A1 fuel price in January 2021 | $430 per metric tonne |
| Jet A1 fuel price in May 2020 | $200 per metric tonne |
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What You'll Learn
A Boeing 747 uses 1 gallon of fuel per second
The Boeing 747 is a fuel-guzzling aircraft, burning approximately 1 gallon of jet fuel per second. That's around 4 litres per second, or 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) for a 10-hour flight. To put that into perspective, it burns about 5 gallons of fuel per mile (or 12 litres per kilometre).
However, the 747 is a large plane and can carry up to 568 people. If we assume 500 passengers, that's 0.01 gallons per person per mile, or 100 miles per gallon per person. This makes the 747 nearly twice as fuel-efficient as a car with one person driving.
The fuel efficiency of aircraft has improved over time. Jet airliners became 70% more fuel-efficient between 1967 and 2007, with a 45% reduction in average fuel burn per aircraft from 1968 to 2014. Newer aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, are 20% more fuel-efficient per passenger kilometre than previous generations.
The cost of jet fuel is an important consideration for airlines, constituting nearly 25-40% of their operating expenses. The price of jet fuel has been rising, with the global average jet fuel price rising 0.8% in one week in 2025 to $93.21/bbl. Fuel hedging can protect airlines from extreme price fluctuations.
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Fuel prices fluctuate constantly
The cost of fuel can also vary depending on the region and airport. For instance, fuel may be cheaper at a plane's home airport than at its destination, which can influence how much fuel is taken on board for the return trip. The direction of travel can also impact fuel costs, as aircraft flying eastward can take advantage of the jet stream, reducing fuel costs. This is particularly noticeable in the North Atlantic, where jet stream assistance is significant.
The type of plane also influences fuel costs, as different planes burn varying amounts of fuel. A Boeing 747, for example, uses around 1 gallon (4 liters) of fuel per second, or 36,000 gallons (150,000 liters) over a 10-hour flight. On the other hand, the Airbus A380 is more fuel-efficient, burning around 4,600 gallons (11,400 liters) of fuel per hour.
Fluctuations in fuel prices can be seen in the month-to-month changes. For instance, in the US, the cost per gallon of fuel in September 2023 was $3.14, up 11.4% from August 2023 and 60.6% from September 2019. These price changes can significantly impact airlines' total fuel expenditure, which was 1.1% higher in September 2023 than in August 2023 and 65.1% higher than in September 2019.
Fuel prices are a critical factor in the aviation industry, and their constant fluctuation presents a challenge for airlines in managing their costs and maintaining profitability.
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Fuel costs are affected by direction of travel
Fuel costs for airlines are highly variable, accounting for 20-40% of expenditure, and they have little control over these costs. The amount of fuel used depends on the size and efficiency of the aircraft, as well as factors such as sector length, cargo weight, weather, and jet stream direction.
The direction of travel is a critical factor in fuel costs. Aircraft flying eastward can take advantage of the jet stream, which can push planes to nearly the speed of sound in the North Atlantic. This significantly reduces fuel costs compared to flying in the reverse direction. For example, the cost of fuelling a New York-London flight would be starkly different depending on the direction of travel.
The efficiency of an aircraft is also a key consideration. A heavier aircraft will burn more fuel, decreasing efficiency and increasing costs. Better aerodynamics, reduced weight, and improved engine efficiency can all contribute to better fuel economy. Additionally, cruising at an optimal altitude and speed can save fuel.
Delays and holding patterns at lower altitudes can also significantly impact fuel consumption and costs. When aircraft are held in the air due to delays, directing them to higher altitudes can yield substantial fuel savings.
Overall, the direction of travel, aircraft efficiency, and operational factors such as delays and holding patterns can all significantly affect fuel costs for airlines.
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Jet fuel is kerosene-based
The cost of fuelling a plane varies depending on the type of aircraft, the length of the sector, taxi time, cargo weight, weather, jet stream direction, and more. For example, a flight from New York JFK Airport to London Heathrow costs around $27,270 in fuel, whereas a flight from JFK to Los Angeles International Airport costs $10,757.
Jet fuel is primarily kerosene-based, with Jet A and Jet A-1 being the most common types. Kerosene-based fuels are used for large planes because kerosene has a higher flash point than gasoline, making it safer and more efficient. Kerosene also has a higher energy density than gasoline, avoiding pre-ignition problems and some safety hazards. The use of kerosene-based jet fuels has been standard since the end of World War II.
Jet fuel is defined as a performance specification rather than a chemical compound due to its varying composition based on the petroleum source. It is a mixture of hydrocarbons, with the range of molecular mass defined by the requirements for the product, such as freezing or smoke point. For example, kerosene-type jet fuel has a carbon number distribution between 8 and 16 carbon atoms per molecule.
There has been a push towards sustainable aviation fuel, with some airlines already operating flights using blends of synthetic gas-to-liquid jet fuel and conventional jet fuel. Fischer-Tropsch Synthesized Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK) synthetic fuels are certified for use in aviation fleets at up to 50% blend with conventional jet fuel, and they have shown a reduction in pollutants. Additionally, hydrogen power and electric batteries are being explored as potential future alternatives to fossil fuels in aviation.
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Fuel is a large cost for airlines
Fuel is a significant expense for airlines, often accounting for 20-40% of their total expenditure. This large cost is influenced by various factors, including the type of aircraft, sector length, cargo weight, weather conditions, and jet stream direction. For example, a Boeing 747 can burn approximately 36,000 gallons of fuel during a 10-hour flight, while the Airbus A380, the world's largest jet airliner, burns about 4,600 gallons of fuel per hour.
The volatile nature of the fuel market poses challenges for airlines, as they have limited control over fuel prices. Global politics, market fluctuations, and regional variations can cause prices to change constantly. Additionally, the direction of travel can significantly impact fuel costs, with eastward flights benefiting from the jet stream, resulting in lower fuel expenses.
To manage fuel costs, airlines employ different strategies. Some opt for enough fuel for a round trip, while others refuel only on the return journey, taking advantage of cheaper fuel prices at specific airports. Fuel surcharges are also common, with airlines like Austrian Airlines and Air France passing on these charges to passengers, especially for business class and round-trip flights.
The high cost of fuel has led to a focus on improving fuel efficiency in the aviation industry. Airlines are exploring sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and advanced AI solutions to reduce fuel consumption and increase profitability while lowering carbon emissions. By optimizing flight routes and utilizing data analytics, airlines can make significant cost savings and contribute to sustainability goals.
In summary, fuel is a major expense for airlines, and its cost is influenced by numerous factors beyond their control. To mitigate these costs, airlines adopt various strategies and explore more efficient and sustainable practices, aiming to strike a balance between operational expenses and environmental responsibilities.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of fuel a plane uses depends on a variety of factors, including the aircraft's empty weight, payload weight, engine efficiency, flight path, and weather conditions. For example, a Boeing 747 uses approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel every second, burning 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) over a 10-hour flight.
Plane fuel efficiency is generally higher than that of cars when calculated per seat. While a modern car typically achieves 35 miles to the gallon, a full flight on a new plane can achieve over 100 mpg per person. However, when a plane is not at full capacity, this calculation changes.
Fuel costs for airlines can be staggering, with global jet fuel prices rising in recent years due to factors such as the Ukraine war. For example, a transatlantic flight from New York to London operated by an Airbus A350 XWB would cost nearly $110,000 in fuel, considering the average price of $6.46 per gallon.
