What type of fuel do aeroplanes use?

Commercial jet aircraft use Jet A-1, a kerosene-based aviation turbine fuel produced from crude oil refining. Jet A-1 is the global standard commercial jet fuel, specified under DEF STAN 91-091 (UK) and ASTM D1655 (USA). It has a high flash point (above 38°C), low freeze point (below –47°C), and high energy density (~34.7 MJ/litre). Piston-engined light aircraft typically use AVGAS (aviation gasoline), which is different from jet fuel. Military aircraft may use JP-8 (essentially Jet A-1 with additives). All large commercial aircraft — Airbus, Boeing — use Jet A-1 or Jet A (the US domestic variant with slightly higher freeze point).

What is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)?

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is aviation fuel produced from non-fossil feedstocks — including used cooking oil (UCO), agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, and in the future, green hydrogen and direct air capture CO2. SAF is certified under ASTM D7566 and must be blended with conventional Jet A-1 (typically up to 50% SAF blend). SAF offers up to 80% lifecycle CO2 reduction versus conventional jet fuel (feedstock-dependent). In 2026, EU ReFuelEU Aviation mandate requires 2% SAF blend at EU airports; UK SAF mandate requires 10% by 2030. SAF price premium: approximately 3–6x conventional jet fuel in 2026, gradually declining as production scales.

How much of an airline's costs is jet fuel?

Jet fuel typically represents 20–30% of an airline's total operating costs. At recent jet fuel prices of approximately $900–1,100/tonne (~$0.72–0.88/litre), a narrowbody aircraft (Airbus A320) flying 3,500 hours/year burns approximately 2,500 tonnes of fuel — costing approximately $2.25–2.75 million per aircraft per year. A widebody (Boeing 777) burns approximately 7,000–8,000 tonnes/year — approximately $6.3–8.8 million. Fuel hedging (through jet fuel crack swap derivatives and Brent futures) is used by most major airlines to reduce short-term price exposure. A $100/tonne increase in jet fuel reduces a typical airline's operating margin by approximately 1.5–2.5 percentage points.

Aviation Fuel Guide: Jet Fuel Prices, SAF, Kerosene & Airline Fuel Costs

Published 1 October 2026 · Updated 19 October 2026

Aviation fuel — primarily Jet A-1 kerosene — is both more expensive per litre than road diesel and exempt from the excise duties applied to road fuel in most countries. This unusual tax status has made aviation one of the most contentious areas in transport decarbonisation policy. As SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) mandates come into force across the EU and UK from 2025 onwards, the cost of flying is set to increase — and the economics of jet fuel vs SAF will become increasingly visible to passengers through fuel surcharges.

For live fuel prices across sectors, use the fuel price explorer. For kerosene as a fuel product, see our kerosene glossary entry. For the 2026 jet fuel price context, see our jet fuel prices 2026. For fuel hedging concepts, see our hedging glossary entry.

Jet fuel types and specifications

Fuel type	Use	Specification	Flash point	Freeze point
Jet A-1	Global commercial aviation	DEF STAN 91-091 / ASTM D1655	Min 38°C	Max –47°C
Jet A	US domestic commercial	ASTM D1655	Min 38°C	Max –40°C
JP-8	Military aviation	MIL-DTL-83133	Min 38°C	Max –47°C
AVGAS 100LL	Piston-engined light aircraft	ASTM D910	Min –20°C	High octane; leaded fuel
SAF (HEFA blend)	Commercial aviation (blended)	ASTM D7566 Annex A	Similar to Jet A-1	Similar to Jet A-1

Jet fuel pricing: how it's set

Jet A-1 is priced as a differential to Brent crude, assessed via the Platts (OPIS) jet fuel / kerosene benchmark:

The jet fuel crack spread (jet fuel price minus Brent crude price) typically trades at $15–25/barrel in normal markets, reflecting refinery conversion cost
The jet crack closely tracks the gasoil crack (diesel), as jet fuel and gasoil are both middle distillates produced from similar crude fractions
Airlines purchase jet fuel at "into-plane" prices — the Platts benchmark plus airport-specific infrastructure charges, throughput fees, and local taxes
US domestic jet fuel (Platts USGC jet fuel) and European jet fuel (Platts ARA jet) are the primary benchmark assessments

For crude and product pricing context, see our crude oil benchmarks guide and our refinery margin glossary entry.

Jet fuel as an airline cost

Aircraft type	Annual fuel burn (tonnes)	Annual fuel cost (at $1,000/t)	Approx. fuel % of op costs
Airbus A320-200 (narrowbody)	~2,400–2,600	$2.4–2.6m	22–28%
Boeing 737 MAX 8	~2,200–2,400	$2.2–2.4m	22–28%
Airbus A330-300 (widebody)	~5,500–6,000	$5.5–6.0m	25–32%
Boeing 777-300ER	~7,500–8,500	$7.5–8.5m	25–32%
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner	~4,800–5,200	$4.8–5.2m	23–30%

Airline fuel hedging

Airlines use fuel hedging to reduce short-term jet fuel cost volatility:

Instruments used: Jet fuel crack swaps, Brent crude futures/options, gasoil futures (ICE LSGO) as a proxy
Typical hedge ratio: 30–80% of forward fuel consumption, hedged 3–18 months ahead
Ryanair: Known for aggressive hedging; typically 70–90% hedged 12+ months forward
Low-cost carriers: Some (EasyJet) hedge less aggressively, taking more exposure to market prices
Hedge gains/losses: 2022's rapid crude price spike generated large mark-to-market losses for carriers with long-dated hedges at lower prices

For more on airline fuel hedging, see our fuel hedging airlines analysis.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF): mandates and costs

SAF mandates are coming into force across the EU and UK:

EU ReFuelEU Aviation: 2% SAF blend at EU airports from 2025; 6% by 2030; 70% by 2050
UK SAF mandate: 2% by 2025; 10% by 2030; 22% by 2040
SAF price vs Jet A-1 (2026): HEFA-SAF (waste fat/UCO feedstock) approximately $2,500–4,000/tonne vs ~$900–1,100/tonne for Jet A-1 — a 3–4x premium
Cost to passengers (2% mandate): Approximately €1–4 per short-haul flight; €5–15 per long-haul flight at 2026 SAF prices
By 2030 at 10% blend: Estimated €10–25/short-haul flight additional SAF cost, depending on whether SAF prices decline as production scales

Jet fuel types, pricing and consumption in detail

What is jet fuel? Jet fuel is a kerosene-based aviation turbine fuel refined from crude oil, designed to burn cleanly at high altitudes and extreme temperatures. The global standard, Jet A-1, has a flash point above 38°C for safety and a freeze point below -47°C to remain liquid in the cold upper atmosphere. The comparison of jet fuel vs kerosene is largely one of specification: Jet A-1 is a highly refined grade of kerosene that meets stringent aviation quality standards (DEF STAN 91-091 and ASTM D1655), while heating kerosene and lamp oil are less refined products from the same distillation range. Jet A vs Jet A-1 is a regional distinction: Jet A (used primarily in the US) has a higher maximum freeze point (-40°C vs -47°C for Jet A-1), making it slightly cheaper to produce but less suitable for extreme cold-weather routes. The IEA's oil market analysis tracks global aviation fuel demand, which represents approximately 6–8% of total refined oil product consumption worldwide.

Aviation fuel price fluctuations directly impact airline profitability and, ultimately, ticket prices. The jet fuel price per litre in 2026 ranges from approximately $0.65–0.85/litre ($2.50–3.20/US gallon) depending on the benchmark location — or roughly $900–1,100 per tonne at major hubs. Jet fuel price history shows extreme volatility: prices peaked above $1,400/tonne during the 2022 energy crisis before moderating. A jet fuel price forecast depends on crude oil fundamentals, refinery capacity, and seasonal demand — aviation fuel consumption typically peaks in Q3 (Northern Hemisphere summer travel season). For understanding how much fuel does a plane use, the numbers are substantial: a Boeing 737-800 burns approximately 2,500–2,700 litres per hour in cruise; an Airbus A380 burns approximately 11,000–12,000 litres per hour. Aircraft fuel consumption on a per-passenger basis is the more meaningful metric — a modern narrowbody achieves approximately 2.5–3.5 litres per 100 passenger-kilometres, comparable to a fuel-efficient car with a single occupant. The OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report provides upstream supply data that influences jet fuel crack spreads and thus airplane fuel cost for airlines.

What is avgas? AVGAS (aviation gasoline) is a specialised high-octane leaded fuel used exclusively in piston-engined light aircraft, helicopters, and some vintage aircraft. Avgas vs jet fuel is a fundamental distinction: avgas is a gasoline (petrol-type) fuel with very high octane (aviation gasoline octane of 100 or 100LL — "low lead"), while jet fuel is a kerosene (diesel-type) fuel with no octane rating. Avgas is one of the last remaining leaded fuels in commercial use; the aviation industry is transitioning to unleaded alternatives (UL94, UL100). Sustainable aviation fuel cost remains the key barrier to decarbonising aviation: at 3–6x the price of conventional Jet A-1, SAF mandates (2% at EU airports in 2025, rising to 70% by 2050) will progressively increase the fuel component of airline operating costs. Aviation fuel types are evolving rapidly as the industry pursues net-zero targets — from conventional Jet A-1 and avgas to HEFA-SAF, alcohol-to-jet SAF, Fischer-Tropsch synthetic kerosene, and eventually power-to-liquid e-kerosene. The BP Energy Outlook and the EU ReFuelEU Aviation regulation provide the policy and market context for this transition.

Frequently asked questions

What type of fuel do aeroplanes use? Commercial jet aircraft use Jet A-1 — a kerosene-based aviation turbine fuel with high flash point (min 38°C) and low freeze point (max –47°C). It is globally standardised under DEF STAN 91-091 (UK) and ASTM D1655 (US). Piston-engined light aircraft use AVGAS 100LL (aviation gasoline). SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is blended with Jet A-1 at up to 50% under ASTM D7566 certification.: Commercial jet aircraft use Jet A-1 — a kerosene-based aviation turbine fuel with high flash point (min 38°C) and low freeze point (max –47°C). It is globally standardised under DEF STAN 91-091 (UK) and ASTM D1655 (US). Piston-engined light aircraft use AVGAS 100LL (aviation gasoline). SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is blended with Jet A-1 at up to 50% under ASTM D7566 certification.
What is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)? SAF is aviation fuel from non-fossil feedstocks — primarily used cooking oil, agricultural residues, or municipal waste — offering up to 80% lifecycle CO2 saving. Certified under ASTM D7566, blended up to 50% with Jet A-1. EU ReFuelEU mandates 2% SAF at EU airports from 2025, rising to 70% by 2050. SAF prices in 2026 are 3–4x conventional Jet A-1, though expected to decline as production scales.: SAF is aviation fuel from non-fossil feedstocks — primarily used cooking oil, agricultural residues, or municipal waste — offering up to 80% lifecycle CO2 saving. Certified under ASTM D7566, blended up to 50% with Jet A-1. EU ReFuelEU mandates 2% SAF at EU airports from 2025, rising to 70% by 2050. SAF prices in 2026 are 3–4x conventional Jet A-1, though expected to decline as production scales.
How much of an airline's costs is jet fuel? Jet fuel is 20–30% of airline operating costs. A narrowbody A320 flying 3,500 hours/year burns ~2,500 tonnes of fuel (~$2.25–2.75m at $900–1,100/tonne). A widebody 777 burns ~7,500–8,500 tonnes (~$6.75–9.35m). Airlines hedge 30–80% of forward fuel exposure using Brent futures and jet crack swaps. A $100/tonne jet fuel rise reduces airline operating margins by approximately 1.5–2.5 percentage points.: Jet fuel is 20–30% of airline operating costs. A narrowbody A320 flying 3,500 hours/year burns ~2,500 tonnes of fuel (~$2.25–2.75m at $900–1,100/tonne). A widebody 777 burns ~7,500–8,500 tonnes (~$6.75–9.35m). Airlines hedge 30–80% of forward fuel exposure using Brent futures and jet crack swaps. A $100/tonne jet fuel rise reduces airline operating margins by approximately 1.5–2.5 percentage points.
How much fuel does a plane use per flight? Fuel consumption varies enormously by aircraft type and route. A short-haul narrowbody (A320/737) burns approximately 2,500–2,700 litres/hour — a London to Paris flight (~1 hour) uses roughly 3,000 litres. A long-haul widebody (777/A350) flying London to New York (~7.5 hours) burns approximately 50,000–65,000 litres. Per passenger, modern aircraft achieve 2.5–3.5 litres per 100 passenger-kilometres — roughly equivalent to a car with 1–2 occupants. Newer aircraft (787, A321neo) are 15–25% more fuel-efficient than the models they replace.: Fuel consumption varies enormously by aircraft type and route. A short-haul narrowbody (A320/737) burns approximately 2,500–2,700 litres/hour — a London to Paris flight (~1 hour) uses roughly 3,000 litres. A long-haul widebody (777/A350) flying London to New York (~7.5 hours) burns approximately 50,000–65,000 litres. Per passenger, modern aircraft achieve 2.5–3.5 litres per 100 passenger-kilometres — roughly equivalent to a car with 1–2 occupants. Newer aircraft (787, A321neo) are 15–25% more fuel-efficient than the models they replace.
What is the difference between avgas and jet fuel? Avgas (aviation gasoline, typically 100LL) is a high-octane leaded petrol used in piston-engined propeller aircraft. Jet fuel (Jet A-1) is a kerosene-based fuel used in turbine (jet) engines on all commercial airliners. They are completely different fuels and not interchangeable — putting avgas in a jet engine or jet fuel in a piston engine will cause severe damage or engine failure. Avgas is significantly more expensive per litre than Jet A-1 and is one of the last leaded fuels still in use.: Avgas (aviation gasoline, typically 100LL) is a high-octane leaded petrol used in piston-engined propeller aircraft. Jet fuel (Jet A-1) is a kerosene-based fuel used in turbine (jet) engines on all commercial airliners. They are completely different fuels and not interchangeable — putting avgas in a jet engine or jet fuel in a piston engine will cause severe damage or engine failure. Avgas is significantly more expensive per litre than Jet A-1 and is one of the last leaded fuels still in use.
What is the current price of jet fuel per litre? In 2026, Jet A-1 prices at major bunkering hubs range from approximately $0.65–0.85 per litre ($900–1,100 per metric tonne), depending on location and the prevailing crude oil price. Jet fuel prices are set by reference to the Platts (OPIS) jet kerosene benchmark, plus airport-specific handling and infrastructure charges. Airlines typically pay "into-plane" prices that include throughput fees. Jet fuel is exempt from excise duty in most countries under international aviation agreements (Chicago Convention), unlike road fuels which carry substantial taxes.: In 2026, Jet A-1 prices at major bunkering hubs range from approximately $0.65–0.85 per litre ($900–1,100 per metric tonne), depending on location and the prevailing crude oil price. Jet fuel prices are set by reference to the Platts (OPIS) jet kerosene benchmark, plus airport-specific handling and infrastructure charges. Airlines typically pay "into-plane" prices that include throughput fees. Jet fuel is exempt from excise duty in most countries under international aviation agreements (Chicago Convention), unlike road fuels which carry substantial taxes.