
The Boeing 747 is a large commercial jet that is ideal for long routes due to its large capacity and long range. The 747's fuel capacity varies among models, ranging from 48,400 to 63,034 gallons. On a 10-hour flight, a 747 might burn through 36,000 gallons of fuel, or approximately one gallon every second. The exact fuel burn rate depends on factors such as passenger capacity, aircraft weight, speed, and engine type. The 747's fuel efficiency has been a topic of debate, with some experts arguing that it is not fuel-efficient compared to other aircraft, while others highlight its ability to carry a large number of passengers, resulting in a more favourable per-person fuel consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average fuel capacity | 48,400 to 63,034 gallons |
| Equivalent litres | 183,214 to 238,610 litres |
| Fuel burn rate | 3,500 to 3,800 gallons of fuel per hour |
| Fuel burn rate per second | 1 gallon |
| Fuel burn rate per mile | 5 gallons of fuel per mile |
| Fuel cost per litre | 31 pence |
| Fuel cost for a flight from London to New York | £18,500 |
| Fuel cost per person for a flight from London to New York | £41 per person |
| Range | 7,790 nautical miles |
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What You'll Learn
- A Boeing 747 can carry 48,400 to 63,000 gallons of fuel
- The fuel capacity varies across models and configurations
- The 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile
- The 747 is not considered fuel-efficient, but it carries hundreds of passengers
- The fuel burn rate depends on the passenger capacity and engine type

A Boeing 747 can carry 48,400 to 63,000 gallons of fuel
The Boeing 747 is a large aircraft that is ideal for long routes due to its high capacity and long range. The fuel capacity of a 747 is not fixed and can vary among models and configurations. On average, a 747 can carry between 48,400 and 63,000 gallons of fuel, which is equivalent to 183,214–238,610 litres.
The first model of the 747, the 747-100, released in 1969, could hold 48,400 gallons of jet fuel. The 747-200 and 300 models improved upon this with a capacity of 52,410 gallons. The 747-400, the most popular variant, increased fuel capacity by 9% to 57,285 gallons. The final model, the 747-8, has two versions: the 747-8i Intercontinental, which can carry 63,034 gallons, and the 747-8f freighter, which can carry 59,734 gallons.
The Boeing 747 burns approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel per second, or 3,500 gallons per hour when cruising at altitude. Takeoff is the most fuel-intensive part of a flight, using up to 5,000 gallons of fuel. A 10-hour flight might burn 36,000 gallons of fuel. The 747 is not considered highly fuel-efficient when compared to other aircraft, but when the number of passengers is taken into account, it becomes more efficient per person than a car.
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The fuel capacity varies across models and configurations
The Boeing 747 is a large aircraft that is ideal for long routes due to its large capacity and long range. While the exact fuel capacity varies across models and configurations, on average, a 747 can carry between 48,400 and 63,034 gallons of jet fuel, or between 183,214 and 238,610 litres.
The first plane in the 747 series, the 747-100, launched in 1969, with a fuel capacity of 48,400 gallons. The next two versions, the 747-200 and 300, offered a significant improvement in fuel capacity, at 52,410 gallons.
The 747-400 is a popular choice among airlines due to its 9% increased fuel capacity compared to its predecessors, at 57,285 gallons. The latest version, the 747-8, has an even more impressive capacity, with passenger models (747-8i) capable of holding 63,034 gallons, and cargo models (747-8f) capable of holding 59,734 gallons.
The 747's fuel efficiency has been proven, with a full tank capable of flying a Boeing 747-8i over 8,000 miles. However, the distance that can be covered depends on various factors, including speed, aircraft weight, and fuel efficiency.
The 747 stores its fuel in its 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 of the jumbo jet can also seal part of the horizontal stabilizer and use it as an auxiliary fuel tank to increase total capacity.
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The 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile
The Boeing 747 is a large aircraft with a long range, which means it has a large fuel capacity. The 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile, or 12 litres of fuel per kilometre. This works out to be about 1 gallon of fuel burned every second, or 60 gallons of fuel burned every minute. Over a 10-hour flight, this amounts to 36,000 gallons of fuel burned.
The amount of fuel burned per mile varies depending on the model of 747. For example, the 747-400F burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile, while the 747-8i can fly 8,000 miles or more on a full tank. The fuel capacity of 747s also varies by model, ranging from 48,400 to 63,034 gallons.
While the 747 is not considered a fuel-efficient vehicle compared to other aircraft, when the number of passengers it can carry is taken into account, the fuel efficiency per person is much better. A 747 can carry up to 568 people, and when this number is considered, the plane achieves 100 miles to the gallon for every passenger. This is nearly twice as fuel-efficient as a car carrying one person.
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The 747 is not considered fuel-efficient, but it carries hundreds of passengers
The Boeing 747 is a large aircraft with a large fuel capacity to cover long distances. It is not considered a fuel-efficient vehicle compared to other aircraft, but it can carry hundreds of passengers, which improves its efficiency per passenger.
A 747 uses approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel every second, burning approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile (12 litres of fuel per kilometre). Over a 10-hour flight, it might burn 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel. However, a 747 can carry up to 568 passengers, and even if only 500 seats are sold, the plane is still burning only 0.01 gallons per person per mile. That means the plane is getting 100 miles per gallon per person, which is very efficient when compared to other forms of transport.
For example, a car travelling from New York to Los Angeles would cover 2,797 miles and consume 112 gallons of fuel, or 56 gallons per person with two passengers. Flying the same route in a 747 would use 5,325 gallons of fuel, but with 200 passengers, that works out to 27 gallons of fuel per person—less than half the amount used by car.
The fuel efficiency of an aircraft depends on several factors, including the engine model, seating configuration, passenger load, aerodynamics, and air cargo. The 747's large capacity and long range make it ideal for long routes, and its fuel efficiency has been proven. However, with sustainability and climate change becoming increasingly important, there is a growing focus on reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
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The fuel burn rate depends on the passenger capacity and engine type
The Boeing 747 is a large aircraft with a long range, which means it has a large fuel capacity. The exact fuel capacity varies by model, but on average, a 747 can carry between 48,400 and 63,034 gallons of jet fuel. The earliest models, the 747-100, could carry 48,400 gallons, while the latest models, the 747-8i Intercontinental, can carry 63,034 gallons.
The fuel burn rate of a 747 depends on several factors, including passenger capacity and engine type. The number of passengers a 747 can carry depends on its configuration, but it can fit up to 660 passengers in a dense layout of exclusively economy seats. The 747 typically has four engines, and the amount of fuel burned depends on the type of engine and its performance. The 747 burns approximately one gallon of fuel per second, or 3,500 to 3,800 gallons per hour at cruising speed. This equates to a fuel economy of 0.18 miles per gallon.
The fuel efficiency of an aircraft is influenced by the engine model and the seating configuration. A full passenger load can help amortize the high fuel expenditure of the 747. For example, a 747 flight from New York to Los Angeles with 200 passengers burned 5,325 gallons of fuel, which equates to approximately 27 gallons per person. In comparison, a car travelling the same route with two passengers would consume 56 gallons per person.
The 747's fuel efficiency can also be influenced by other factors such as speed, aircraft weight, and route. The optimum cruising altitude for a 747 increases as the aircraft's weight decreases due to fuel burn. Additionally, aviation authorities have relaxed rules prohibiting jets with two engines from operating long overwater flights, which can impact the fuel efficiency of four-engine aircraft like the 747.
Overall, the fuel burn rate of a 747 is dependent on a combination of factors, including passenger capacity, engine type, aircraft weight, speed, and route. These factors collectively influence the fuel efficiency of the aircraft.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel used depends on the distance travelled, the speed, the weight of the aircraft, and the number of passengers. A 747 flight from London to New York, for example, burns approximately 70,000 kilograms of fuel.
A 747 can carry approximately 48,400 to 63,034 gallons of fuel, weighing around 400,000 pounds.
The 747 is not considered highly fuel-efficient when compared to other aircraft. However, when the number of passengers is taken into account, the fuel efficiency per person can be much higher than other modes of transport.
747s use jet fuels, including Jet A, Jet A-1, and Jet B, which are refined kerosene fuels.
Refuelling a 747 can cost between $140,000 and $170,000, depending on factors such as fuel market price, route, model, fuel type, and taxes.











































