The octane ratings of AVGAS, a gasoline-based fuel, are usually either 91 or 100 (lean mixture) and 96 or 130 (rich mixture). The octane rating of jet fuel is much lower, around 15 – this is much more like automotive diesel and thus much more resistant to detonating due to sparks or compression.

In contrast to traditional petroleum-based fuels, these new alternative fuels can reduce air quality emissions and are renewable. Synthesized Iso-parafins (SIP) which convert sugars into jet fuel. Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (HEFA-SPK), which use fats, oils and greases.

Jet fuel (there’s variants, but a very common one is known as Jet A) is really close to regular old diesel fuel. The big point here is that you can’t run Jet A in your gas-powered car, because it’s basically like putting diesel in your gas car.

Profit per passenger at the seven largest U.S. airlines averaged $19.65 over the past four years—record-setting profitable years for airlines. In 2017, it stood at $17.75, based on airline earnings reports. But now, profit margins—about 9% in 2017—are healthy.

A: In round numbers, a 737 will burn 5,000 pounds (750 gallons) an hour.

Based on 450 annual owner-operated hours and $4.25-per-gallon fuel cost, the BOEING 737-700 has total variable costs of $2,389,747.50, total fixed costs of $357,370.00, and an annual budget of $2,747,117.50. This breaks down to $6,104.71 per hour.

Regional flights

With airlines, it’s how far one seat (occupied or not) can travel on one gallon of jet fuel. And U.S. major airlines average about 64 mpg, according to calculations using Department of Transportation data for 2009. For each gallon of jet fuel, airlines could, on average, fly one seat 64 miles.

The longest that a commercial airplane has flown without refueling is a little over 23 hours. This was achieved by a Boeing 777-200 LR that flew between Hong Kong and London, covering a distance of almost 20,000 km.