Katerina Swanson
The price of jet fuel varies depending on the region and the type of jet fuel being purchased. For example, the national average price for jet fuel in the US as of August 2025 was $6.30 per gallon, while the price for Jet A-1 fuel, a widely used variety of jet fuel, was $91.82 per barrel in 2025. The cost of jet fuel also depends on the weight of the aircraft and the distance travelled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Jet A-1 |
| Other names | Aviation Kerosine, Kerosene, NATO Code: F-35, Jet A1 |
| Weight | 5.2-6.7 pounds per gallon |
| Price | $2.10-2.50 per gallon |
| National average price (as of Aug 04, 2025) | $6.30 per gallon |
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What You'll Learn
Jet fuel price per pound
The price of jet fuel per pound varies depending on several factors, including the type of aircraft, distance travelled, and the cost of fuel per gallon.
As of August 2025, the national average price for jet fuel in the United States was $6.30 per gallon. However, prices can vary by region, with the FAA Alaska region reporting the highest average price at $8.09 per gallon, while the Central region had the lowest average price at $5.62 per gallon.
To calculate the cost of jet fuel per pound, we need to consider the weight of the fuel itself, which is approximately 6.7 pounds per gallon. Using the national average price of $6.30 per gallon, the cost of jet fuel per pound would be approximately $0.94.
However, when calculating the cost of flying 1,000 miles with jet fuel, other factors come into play, such as the weight of the aircraft, passengers, cargo, and bags. As a rough estimate, it takes about 1.664 ounces of jet fuel to transport 1 pound of weight 1,000 miles. If we consider a jet fuel price of $2.50 per gallon, the cost to carry one pound 1,000 miles would be around 4.16 cents.
Additionally, the efficiency of the aircraft and the distance travelled can impact the overall cost. For example, a Boeing 777 may not be the most efficient choice for shorter distances, but the cost of the extra fuel required can still be lower than on a longer flight.
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Jet fuel price variations
The price of jet fuel is subject to various factors, leading to fluctuations over time and variation across regions. As of August 2025, the national average price for jet fuel in the United States was $6.30 per gallon, with prices varying across different FAA regions. For instance, the FAA Alaska region reported the highest jet fuel price at $8.09, while the Central region had the lowest price at $5.62. These prices reflect the average cost over 3,211 FBOs (Fixed-Base Operators) reporting aircraft fuel prices in the preceding 30 days.
Jet fuel prices can also be influenced by broader economic and market conditions. For example, the Jet Fuel Price Monitor by IATA provides weekly updates on the global average jet fuel price. In one week, the price was reported at $91.82 per barrel, reflecting a 1.2% decrease compared to the previous week. This price is an aggregate of spot prices in relevant regional centers, taking into account factors such as demand.
The cost of jet fuel also comes into play when calculating the overall expense of air travel. The fuel efficiency of the aircraft and the weight of passengers, cargo, and the plane itself are all factors that influence fuel consumption and, consequently, the cost per passenger. Calculations provided by FlyerTalk Forums users indicate that it takes approximately 1.664 ounces of jet fuel to transport 1 pound of weight 1,000 miles on a 777 aircraft. Using a jet fuel price of $2.50 per gallon, this equates to a cost of 4.16 cents per pound per 1,000 miles.
Additionally, jet fuel prices can be compared against alternative fuel types, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). As of August 2025, the national average price for SAF in the United States was $8.74 per gallon, significantly higher than the price of Jet A fuel. This price discrepancy underscores the ongoing discussions around the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels and the associated costs.
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Jet fuel weight per gallon
Jet fuel, or aviation turbine fuel (ATF), is a type of fuel specifically designed for aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines. It is typically straw-colored or colorless. The specific weight of jet fuel per gallon can vary, but it is generally accepted to be around 6.7 pounds per gallon. This weight can, however, fluctuate depending on the exact composition of the fuel, which can differ based on the petroleum source.
Jet fuel is primarily composed of a mixture of various hydrocarbons, with kerosene-based fuels being the most common variety. The number of carbon atoms per molecule, or carbon number distribution, in kerosene-type jet fuel typically ranges from 8 to 16. This type of jet fuel includes Jet A, Jet A-1, JP-5, and JP-8. Wide-cut or naphtha-type jet fuel, on the other hand, including Jet B and JP-4, has a carbon number distribution between 5 and 15.
The performance specifications of jet fuel are defined by the requirements for the product, such as the freezing point or smoke point. These specifications were first established at the end of World War II, with British standards derived from kerosene use in lamps and American standards originating from aviation gasoline practices. Over time, these specifications have been adjusted to balance performance and fuel availability, with considerations given to factors such as the minimum freezing point.
The weight of jet fuel per gallon is an important factor in calculating the cost of aviation fuel. On average, airlines achieve 49 revenue-passenger-miles per gallon of jet fuel. At a fuel price of $2.10 per gallon, the cost to carry one passenger 1,000 miles is approximately $42. These calculations can vary based on aircraft type and the weight of passengers, cargo, and baggage.
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Jet fuel cost per distance
The cost of jet fuel per distance depends on several factors, including the type of jet, the distance travelled, the weight of the plane and cargo, and the price of jet fuel. Private jet fuel costs can vary significantly, and fuel costs typically account for over half of the jet's operating expenses.
The price of jet fuel can fluctuate, with the cost per gallon ranging from $2.10 to $7.00. As of June 2025, the global average jet fuel price was $91.82 per barrel, a decrease of 1.2% from the previous week.
To calculate the cost of jet fuel per distance, you can use the formula: cost per distance = fuel price per gallon x (distance / miles per gallon). For example, if the fuel price is $3 per gallon and the plane travels 1,000 miles, the cost per distance would be $3 x (1000 / 20) = $150.
Another factor that affects the cost of jet fuel per distance is the weight of the plane and its cargo. Heavier planes and cargo will require more fuel to travel the same distance, increasing the cost. Additionally, the type of jet can also impact fuel efficiency and, consequently, the cost per distance.
By considering the price of jet fuel, distance travelled, plane weight, and type of jet, you can estimate the cost of jet fuel per distance and make informed decisions about fuel usage and travel expenses.
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Jet fuel types
The cost of jet fuel varies depending on location and date of purchase. For example, the global average jet fuel price for one week in June 2025 was $91.82 per barrel. In the same year, jet fuel was calculated to cost $2.50 per gallon, or 4.16 cents to carry one pound of weight 1,000 miles.
Jet fuel, or aviation turbine fuel (ATF), is a mixture of various hydrocarbons and is defined by its performance specifications rather than chemical composition. The most common types of jet fuel are Jet A, Jet A-1, and Jet B. Jet A specification fuel has been used in the United States since the 1950s and is usually only available in the United States and a few Canadian airports. Jet A is a heavier fuel with a higher flash and freezing point than standard kerosene. Jet A-1 is the standard specification fuel used in most of the world, except Russia and CIS members, where TS-1 fuel is the most common. Jet A-1 has a lower freezing point than Jet A, making it suitable for long-haul international flights, particularly those overflying polar routes. It also contains static dissipater additives, which decrease any static charges that can form during the movement of the fuel. Jet B is a naphtha-kerosene fuel with enhanced cold-weather performance due to its very low freezing point of −60 °C (−76 °F). However, its lighter composition makes it more dangerous to handle and it is rarely used outside of very cold climates like northern Canada and Alaska.
Other types of jet fuel include JP-5, JP-8, TS-1, T-1, T-1S, T2, RT, T-1pp, T-8V, and T-6. These fuels are used in various aircraft, including military planes, piston-engine planes, and turboprop and helicopter gas turbine engines. Additionally, AVGAS (aviation gas or aviation gasoline) is used to power traditional propeller aircraft and small piston-engine planes. It has a high volatility and autoignition temperature to prevent preignition in high-compression aircraft engines.
As the aviation industry moves towards carbon neutrality, alternative fuels such as hydrogen power, electric batteries, natural gas, and biofuels are being explored as potential options for the future.
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Frequently asked questions
The price of jet fuel changes daily, but as of January 2022, Jet A1 fuel was approximately $816 per metric ton, which is about $0.82 per kilogram or $0.37 per pound.
A Boeing 747-400 burns approximately 70,000 kilograms of jet fuel when flying from London to New York. This equates to roughly £53,500 or $158 per person (based on 450 passengers).
An A380 can hold approximately 315,000 liters of jet fuel, which costs approximately £205,000.
