You enter the flight distance, pick an aircraft type (or enter custom specs), set the jet fuel price, and choose a load factor. The tool divides distance by cruise speed to get flight hours, multiplies by the hourly fuel burn rate to get total gallons, then multiplies by price to get total cost. It divides cost by total seats and by occupied seats separately. It does not account for taxi, takeoff, climb, descent, or holding fuel — so real consumption is typically 10–20% higher.
This calculator uses cruise-phase burn rates only. Real flights burn significantly more fuel during taxi, takeoff, and climb — often adding 10–20% to total consumption. Weather, ATC routing, headwinds, and aircraft weight also increase burn.
Jet-A fuel in the U.S. has ranged from roughly $4.00 to $7.00 per gallon in recent years. Airlines typically hedge fuel costs months in advance, so their effective price may differ from the spot price on any given day.
Load factor is the percentage of available seats that are actually occupied by passengers. U.S. domestic airlines averaged about 83–87% in recent years. A higher load factor spreads fuel cost across more passengers, reducing per-seat cost.
Use a great-circle distance calculator (we have one on this site) with the airport codes or city coordinates. Great-circle distance gives the shortest path over the Earth's surface — actual flight paths are typically 5–15% longer due to air traffic routing.
Estimate only. Results reflect your inputs and standard formulas — they are not financial, tax, legal, health, or investment advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.