What makes a plane fuel-efficient?

Efficiency is increased with better aerodynamics and by reducing weight, and with improved engine BSFC and propulsive efficiency or TSFC. An airline efficiency depends on its fleet fuel burn, seating density, air cargo and passenger load factor, while operational procedures like maintenance and routing can save fuel.

How can you make an airplane more fuel-efficient?

The aviation industry has three main levers by which to improve fuel efficiency: (1) replacing older aircraft with newer, more fuel-efficient designs; (2) improving operations to carry more payload (passengers and freight) per flight and to fly more directly to destinations; and (3) finding optimal flight paths and …

Are airplanes fuel-efficient?

Aircraft efficiency differs, as do the conditions on different routes—a domestic airliner can get anywhere from 45.5 to 77.6 miles per gallon per passenger, with an industry average of about 51 miles per gallon of fuel per passenger. Every additional 100 pounds of weight only reduces fuel economy by about 1 percent.

What is the most fuel-efficient jet engine?

The GE9X engine is the most fuel-efficient commercial engine ever built and is a key contributor to what makes the 777X the largest and most efficient twin-engine jet in the world according to Boeing.

What is the efficiency of jet engines?

The combustion efficiency of most aircraft gas turbine engines at sea level takeoff conditions is almost 100%. It decreases nonlinearly to 98% at altitude cruise conditions. Air-fuel ratio ranges from 50:1 to 130:1.

Why is 787 so fuel-efficient?

New, lightweight composite materials make up half of the 787’s primary structure, including the fuselage and wing. The aircraft’s wing design and construction enable speed and fuel efficiency. The 787 is powered by new, more fuel efficient models of jet engines produced by General Electric and Rolls-Royce.

How efficient are plane engines?

The overall efficiency of commercial aircraft engines has been improving at a rate of about 7 percent per decade since 1970 (see Figures 3.3 and 3.4). Today, the overall efficiency of commercial aircraft propulsion is approaching 40 percent.

Are jet engines fuel-efficient?

Jet engines are already pretty efficient, but Ihme and team believe they have found a way to more precisely control the ratio of air to fuel inside the combustion chamber — the critical variable that governs emissions, efficiency and safety. (Preheating the air makes it easier to burn.)