The Boeing 747 has long been one of the most recognizable airliners in history, with its iconic double-decker widebody quadjet bursting onto the scene in the 1970s. The 'jumbo jet' was designed to provide increased capacity, resulting in lower per-seat operating costs and making air travel more affordable for the masses.
This advantage came at a cost, however, as the larger size of the aircraft meant it required more fuel to operate. Despite its size, the Boeing 747-8 is not the most efficient vehicle in terms of fuel consumption.
Calculating an aircraft's fuel efficiency can be complicated due to various mitigating factors, but comparing the Boeing 747-8 to other aircraft can provide a relatively clear idea of where it stands.
The passenger version of the Boeing 747-8 has a fuel capacity of 63,034 gallons and a range of 8,900 miles. Dividing these two numbers gives a figure of just 0.142 miles per gallon.
This is significantly lower than other commercial airliners, making it less desirable for airlines looking to reduce their fuel costs.
The Boeing Business Jets version of the 747-8 has a slightly more favorable range of 10,213 miles with an assumed capacity of 100 VIP passengers, resulting in a figure of 0.162 miles per gallon.
In contrast, the 747-8F cargo variant has a range of 4,908 miles and fuel capacity of 59,734 gallons, giving it a figure of 0.082 miles per gallon.
These low figures may seem shocking at face value, but they are actually comparable to those of earlier generations of the Boeing 747.
The original model, the 747-100, had a range of up to 5,320 miles and a maximum fuel capacity of 60,000 gallons, resulting in an even lower fuel economy than the 747-8.
The low fuel efficiency of the Boeing 747-8 is a significant concern for airlines and passengers alike.
