It propels us into the sky, takes us across the globe and gently brings us back down to the earth. A Boeing 747 burns a gallon of it every second, and Chrysler once built an experimental hardtop coupe that used it instead of gasoline. It’s been a part of our lives for generations and will continue to bring us forward for years to come.

This mysterious liquid that makes cross-continental business meetings and family vacations near the equator possible is, of course, jet fuel. How much is jet fuel per gallon? It depends on your market. 

In a major market like Teterboro, Jet A costs around $10 per gallon, while the same fuel in Burlington, WI sells for only $4 per gallon. According to Global Air, the national average price for a gallon of Jet A is currently $7.11

Wondering about other common jet fuel questions beyond how much is jet fuel per gallon? Here’s what private fliers want to know about jet fuel.

How much does it cost to fill up a 747?

With room for up to nearly 600 passengers, depending on its configuration, the Boeing 747 is a massive, and expensive, aircraft to keep in the air. Also known as the Queen of the Skies, the 747 boasts a maximum fuel capacity of 63,000 gallons with slight variations between models. With today’s fuel prices, it costs about $450,000 to fill up a Boeing 747, depending on your market.

By contrast, the Gulfstream G280, a popular business aviation aircraft, costs around $8,000 to fill.

Why do jets not use gasoline?

Unlike your car or truck, your private jet charter relies on jet fuel, a highly refined kerosene-based liquid, for power.

There are many benefits jets see from using a kerosene-based fuel over gasoline, but one of the primary reasons is jet fuel’s low freezing point. When a plane reaches altitude, temperatures plummet, and this low freezing point helps keep your jet’s engine running smoothly.

With its higher flash point, jet fuel is also more efficient than gasoline.

Do jets still dump fuel before landing?

Not always. In most cases, fuel dumps happen when an aircraft needs to return to its point of departure shortly after takeoff due to an urgent, yet not critical, issue. Because jets carry so much fuel to transport you from your origin to your destination, fuel dumps are needed to drop weight and reach your private jet’s maximum landing weight.

How far can a jet go on a full tank?

The average range of a private jet is between 2,000 and 3,000 nautical miles. However, the maximum range of your private jet varies greatly depending on its model, size and class.

Small turboprop charters, for example, have maximum ranges between 1,088-3,775 nm, while a very light jet may only reach 1,550 nm. An ultra long-range jet like the Gulfstream G650, meanwhile, has a maximum range of 8,055 nm, and the Boeing Business Jet 777X boasts an impressive 11,645 nm range for your non-stop trips from New York City to Singapore.

Ready to take to the skies and receive a transparent quote from a trusted broker? As an ARGUS-Certified broker, we’re dedicated to providing the best equipment and crew for the mission. Contact our expert private flight advisors at 888-593-9066 to learn more.