The weight of an aircraft depends on the specific type and size of the aircraft. Commercial airliners can weigh hundreds of thousands of pounds, while smaller planes, like private jets or regional jets, can weigh less. It is also important to consider that the weight of an airplane can vary depending on factors such as the number of passengers and the amount of fuel it carries. To obtain a more accurate estimate of the weight of a specific aircraft, it would be necessary to consult specific information about that particular aircraft.
How much does an airplane weigh?
The weight of an aircraft is one of its most important performance characteristics. It affects an aircraft's takeoff and landing distances, speed, rate of climb, and fuel consumption. The weight of an airplane also determines the amount of cargo it can carry.
The total mass of an aircraft without passengers or cargo is known as the "empty weight," which incorporates the mass of the aircraft's fuselage, engine, engines, fuel, oil, hydraulics, and other systems. The empty weight of a typical large commercial aircraft is around 85,000 pounds (38,555 kg).
The maximum takeoff weight of an aircraft (MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft is approved to take off. The MTOW includes the empty weight of the aircraft, the weight of the payload, and the weight of the fuel. The MTOW of a typical large commercial aircraft is around 550,000 pounds (249,476 kg).
An aircraft's maximum landing weight (MLW) is the maximum weight the aircraft is approved to land with. The MLW is usually less than the MTOW because the plane burns fuel in flight and the weight of the cargo is also usually reduced. The MLW for a typical large commercial aircraft is around 510,000 pounds (231,164 kg).
The weight of an aircraft has a huge impact on its performance. Heavier aircraft require more power to take off and climb in altitude. They also land at higher speeds and may require longer runway lengths. Lighter aircraft are more fuel efficient and perform better at high altitudes.
How much does a commercial plane weigh?
The average commercial plane weighs around 155,000 pounds or around 70 tons. This with all passengers, crew, baggage and fuel on board. An empty commercial plane weighs much less, about 80,000 pounds, or about 36 tons. It's still a lot, but it's a significant difference.
The weight of a plane has a big impact on how well it flies. The heavier a plane is, the more power it needs to get off the ground and stay in the air. That's why big cargo planes like the Antonov An-225 have such big engines. They need to be able to lift very heavy loads. Same thing about the Airbus A380.
The weight of the aircraft also affects the amount of fuel it burns. The heavier a plane is, the more fuel it needs to fly. That's why airlines are always looking for ways to save weight. They want to save money on fuel and they want to be more environmentally friendly.
So how do commercial jets manage to weigh so much? The answer is that they are made of several different materials, including aluminum, steel, and composites. All these materials are resistant and light, which is why they are used in airplanes.
Aluminum is the most common material used in commercial aircraft. It is strong, light and does not rust. That's why it's used in so many different industries, from food packaging to construction.
Steel is another common material used in commercial aircraft. It is heavier than aluminum, but it is also stronger. That is why it is often used in the frame of an aircraft.
Composites are a new type of material that is increasingly used in commercial aircraft. They are made from a combination of different materials, including carbon fiber and Kevlar. Composites are strong and lightweight, making them ideal for use on aircraft.
So there you have it! That's what commercial planes weigh.
How much do private jets weigh?
When it comes to private jets, many different factors come into play. One of the main factors is the weight of the jet. Depending on the size and model of the jet, the weight can vary significantly. For example, the Gulfstream G650ER private jet weighs about 100,000 pounds, while the much smaller Cessna Citation Mustang only weighs about 5,000 pounds.
So how does the weight of a private jet affect its performance? Well, the heavier the plane, the more fuel it will need to get off the ground and stay airborne. This means that longer trips will require more fuel and therefore more money. On the other hand, lighter private jets can take off on less fuel, which means they are more fuel efficient and can save you money in the long run.
Ultimately, the weight of a private jet is just one of many factors you need to consider when choosing the right jet for your needs. If you want to save money on fuel costs, a lighter aircraft may be your best option. However, if you need a plane capable of flying longer distances, a heavier plane might be a better choice. Ultimately, it all comes down to your specific needs and preferences.
How much does a fighter plane weigh?
Fighter jets are some of the most advanced and powerful machines ever created. They are also some of the heaviest machines in the sky, with some models weighing over 30,000 pounds. So how much does a fighter jet weigh?
The weight of a fighter jet depends on the specific model and how it is configured. For example, the F-15 Eagle has a base weight of 18,000 pounds, but when fully loaded with fuel and weapons, it can weigh more than 30,000 pounds. The F-22 Raptor is even heavier, with a base weight of 43,000 pounds and a top weight of more than 60,000 pounds.
The weight of a fighter jet is important because it affects the performance of the plane. Heavier jets require more fuel to fly and take off and have more inertia, making them more difficult to maneuver. However, the extra weight also gives them more firepower and protection.
So how much does a fighter jet weigh? It depends on the model and how it's set up, but the heaviest jets can weigh over 60,000 pounds.
What is the heaviest passenger plane?
There are a few different ways to determine the heaviest airliner. The most common way is by maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). This is the weight of the plane when fully loaded with passengers, baggage, and fuel. The MTOW of the heaviest commercial airliner is 1,255,000 pounds or 569,600 kilograms.
Other ways to determine the heaviest commercial aircraft are by maximum landing weight (MLW) or maximum zero fuel weight (MZFW). The MLW is the weight of the aircraft when it is fully loaded with passengers and baggage, but without fuel. The MZFW is the weight of the aircraft when there is no fuel or passengers. MLW's heaviest airliner is the Airbus A380-800, which has an MLW of 1,234,000 pounds or 560,000 kilograms. MZFW's heaviest airliner is the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, which has a MZFW of 975,000 pounds or 443,180 kilograms.
So what is the heaviest passenger plane? It depends on how you measure. If you use MTOW, the heaviest airliner is the Airbus A380-800. If you use MLW or MZFW, the heaviest airliner is the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental.
FAQs
How much does an average plane weigh? ›
This includes the weight of the plane, which is about 41,000 kg (90,000 lbs), and the weight of the fuel which is about 18,000 kg (40,000 lbs). This leaves about 20,000 kg (45,000 lbs) for passengers, cargo, and crew.
How much does a Boeing 737 weigh? › How much does a Boeing 737 weigh in tons? ›| Type | MTOW [kg] | MLW [tonnes] |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-900 | 85,000 | 66.36 |
| Boeing 737-900ER | 85,000 | 71.35 |
| Boeing 727-200 Advanced | 84,000 | 70.1 |
| Airbus A321-100 | 83,000 | 77.8 |
Every object on Earth has weight, a product of both gravity and mass. A Boeing 747-8 passenger airliner, for instance, has a maximum takeoff weight of 487.5 tons (442 metric tons), the force with which the weighty plane is drawn toward the Earth.
How heavy is a Boeing 747? › How heavy is the heaviest plane? ›With a maximum takeoff weight of 640 tonnes (705 short tons), the An-225 held several records, including heaviest aircraft ever built and largest wingspan of any aircraft in operational service.
How much does a fully loaded 747 weigh? ›The 747- 400ER and 747- 400ER Freighter both have a maximum takeoff weight of 910,000 lb (412,770 kg), which is 35,000 lb (15,785 kg) greater than that of the standard 747-400.
How fast does a 737 fly in mph? ›The Boeing 737-700 can fly with a maximum speed of 876 km/h (544 mph) and a cruising speed of 828 km/h (514 mph).
How much does a fully loaded A380 weigh? ›With the Airbus A380 weighing in fully loaded at 1,265,000 pounds, you might think stopping it within a reasonable distance after landing would require a Phalanx of Heavy-duty thrust reversers.
How much does a fully loaded 737 weigh? ›Weights: Operating empty 41,145kg (90,710lb), max takeoff 70,535kg (155,500lb), high gross weight max takeoff 79,015kg (174,200lb).
How much does a 747 weigh in Ton? ›
To sum it up, depending on the variant, a Boeing 747 aircraft weighs anywhere between 337,100 pounds (152.9 tons) and 485,300 pounds (220.1 tons) in terms of its empty operating weight. And, its maximum take-off weight is between 700,000 pounds (320.0 tons) and 987,000 pounds (447.7 tons).
How many gallons of gas does a 747 hold? ›Let's start with a look at the most famous of jets, the Boeing 747. The Boeing website states that this model, with a gas tank capacity of 63,500 gallons, may burn five gallons of jet fuel per mile of flight. A 4,000-mile flight, then, requires 20,000 gallons of fuel.
How much does a 787 weigh? ›| Variant | Boeing 787 8 | Boeing 787 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Zero Fuel Weight | 161,000 kg (355,000 lb) | 181,000 kg (400,000 lb) |
| Operating Empty Weight | 119,950 kg (264,500 lb) | 128,850 kg (284,000 lb) |
| Fuel Capacity Litres | 126,206 Litres (33,340 US gal) | 126,372 Litres (36,384 US gal) |
| Speeds |
Intermediates: These helicopters weigh from 3,500 to 7,000 lb / 1,590 kg to 3,180 kg MGW. Mediums: A little above the mid-range, these are helicopters weighing from 7,000 to 12,500 lb / 3,1880 kg to 5,670 kg MGW. Heavies: Here we find the heaviest helicopters weighing over 12,500 lb / 5,670 kg MGW.
How much does a 777 weigh? ›| Variant | 777-200 |
|---|---|
| Empty operating weight | 134,800 kg (297,300 lb) |
| Maximum landing weight | 201,840 kg (445,000 lb) |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight(MTOW) | 247,200 kg (545,000 lb) |
| Typical Cruise Speed | Mach 0.84 (905 km/h, 490 knots) at a cruise altitude of 35,000 ft (11,000 m) |
The salary range for a Boeing 747 Pilot job is from $70,121 to $100,119 per year in Nashville, TN. Click on the filter to check out Boeing 747 Pilot job salaries by hourly, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly, and yearly.
What does a gallon of jet fuel weigh? ›In performance calculations, airliner manufacturers use a density of jet fuel around 6.7 lb/US gal, 8.02 lb/ imp Gal or 0.8 kg/L.
What is the heaviest military plane? ›The C-5M Super Galaxy is a strategic transport aircraft and is the largest aircraft in the Air Force inventory. Its primary mission is to transport cargo and personnel for the Department of Defense. The C-5M is a modernized version of the legacy C-5 designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
Can a plane be too heavy to fly? ›While not as common an occurrence as overbooking, it does happen. Various factors (including air temperature, elevation, runway length and slope, and obstacles near the runway) can limit how much weight an airplane can safely carry.
Do heavier airplanes fly farther? ›Increasing the mass of the paper airplane will DECREASE the distance that the airplane will travel.
Do heavier planes fly lower? ›
The higher the better
This optimum height is linked to the usual weight of a commercial jet – that is, heavier planes would fly lower, and lighter higher.
The Antonov An-225 Mriya currently holds the title of the world's largest cargo aircraft.
What plane has the heaviest payload? ›With a maximum payload of over 250 tons and a cargo hold capacity of 1,100 cubic meters, the world's largest cargo aircraft is the Antonov AN-225 – use the world over for enormous air cargo charter projects.
What is the oldest 747 still flying? ›The oldest active 747 aircraft today
The oldest passenger aircraft in commercial operation is Boeing 747-400 EP-MEE (SN 24383) operated by Mahan Air, a privately owned Iranian airline. IBA Insight Flights shows that this aircraft frequently makes trips between Tehran and Moscow, and last flew on 30th January 2023.
Typical takeoff air speeds for jetliners are in the range of 240–285 km/h (130–154 kn; 149–177 mph). Light aircraft, such as a Cessna 150, take off at around 100 km/h (54 kn; 62 mph).
Why do planes fly at 36000 feet? ›The biggest reason for this altitude lies in fuel efficiency. The thin air creates less drag on the aircraft, which means the plane can use less fuel in order to maintain speed. Less wind resistance, more power, less effort, so to speak. Spending less on fuel is also great for airlines, for obvious reasons.
How far can a 737 fly on one tank of gas? ›The 737-800 has a maximum fuel capacity of 6,875 gallons, which it carries in fuel tanks in its wings, as seen here, and in a fuel tank located underneath the passenger cabin's midsection. Fully loaded, the jet can fly up to 3,159 miles without refueling.
How much does a fully loaded 787 weigh? ›The initial 186-foot-long (57 m) 787-8 typically seats 242 passengers over a range of 7,355 nmi (13,621 km), with a 502,500 lb (227.9 t) MTOW compared to 560,000 lb (250 t) for later variants.
Which is bigger A380 or 747? ›No matter how airlines configure their cabins, the Airbus A380 pushes the 747 right out of the gate with passenger capacity. In a full economy configuration, the A380 can handle 250 more passengers than the 747.
How much does it cost to fill a A380 with fuel? ›In addition to demanding airport modifications for its huge passenger load and million-pound bulk, economics demand that it be flown full to pay its enormous hourly costs. These have been estimated at between $26,000 and $29,000 per hour, using roughly $17,467 of fuel, or approximately $40.19 to $44.82 per mile.
Why do they say heavy in ATC? ›
When a pilot uses the phrase “heavy,” he is reminding ATC that his aircraft is large and requires more separation between it and the aircraft following.
How fast does a 747 go to take off? ›How Fast Does a 747 Go To Take Off? A typical takeoff speed for a Boeing 747 is around 160 knots (184 mph), depending on the jet's wing flap configuration, the number of passengers aboard, and the weight of their luggage, fuel load, current weather conditions, and other factors.
What is the 747 top speed? ›The 747 is one of the largest commercial aircraft ever built, and the 747-8 Intercontinental (747-8i) variant wins the race as the fastest commercial plane in service today. This plane is as tall as a six-story building with a top speed of Mach 0.86. That's equivalent to 659.85 mph.
How many tons can a military plane carry? ›...
Typical Spec.
| Payload: | 1 to 10 tons |
|---|---|
| Crew: | 2 |
| Configuration: | bulk or palletised cargo |
| Range: | up to 4 hours |
One of the unique features of the 747 was its fifth pod. This 'spare' engine mount gave it the ability to lug along an extra engine, something it was capable of doing even on a revenue flight. Of course, the efficiency of the flight would take a hit, but reportedly there were no issues with handling as a result.
What is Boeing's biggest plane? ›With a maximum take-off weight of 975,000 lb (442 t), the 747-8 is the heaviest aircraft, commercial or military, manufactured in the U.S. Compared to the preceding 747-400, the wing design was overhauled.
How much does 1 gallon of jet fuel cost? ›The price of jet fuel as of January 2022 is as follows: $2.46 (US dollars) per Gallon.
How many MPG does a Boeing 747 get? ›Over the course of a 10-hour flight, it might burn 36,000 gallons (150,000 liters). The 747 burns approximately 5 gallons of fuel per mile (12 liters of fuel per kilometer). This sounds like a tremendously poor miles-per-gallon rating. But consider that a 747 can carry as many as 568 people.
How many miles can a 747 fly on a full tank? ›A: This depends on the size of the plane, its efficiency, and how fast it's flying. A modern Boeing 747 can fly about 15,000 km (9,500 miles) when it's flying at 900 kmh (550 mph). This means it can fly non stop for almost 16 hours!
How much does a 747 weigh full of passengers? ›How much does a Boeing 747 weigh in tons? ›
To sum it up, depending on the variant, a Boeing 747 aircraft weighs anywhere between 337,100 pounds (152.9 tons) and 485,300 pounds (220.1 tons) in terms of its empty operating weight. And, its maximum take-off weight is between 700,000 pounds (320.0 tons) and 987,000 pounds (447.7 tons).
How many tons does a Boeing 777 weigh? ›The supernumerary area includes business-class seats forward of door 1. With a maximum takeoff weight of 766,000 pounds (347,450 kilograms), the 777F has a revenue payload capability of more than 226,000 pounds (102.8 metric tons).
How much does a Boeing 777 weigh? ›| Variant | 777-200 |
|---|---|
| Empty operating weight | 134,800 kg (297,300 lb) |
| Maximum landing weight | 201,840 kg (445,000 lb) |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight(MTOW) | 247,200 kg (545,000 lb) |
| Typical Cruise Speed | Mach 0.84 (905 km/h, 490 knots) at a cruise altitude of 35,000 ft (11,000 m) |
Boeing introduced the -200 in 1971, with more powerful engines for a heavier maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 833,000 pounds (378 t) from the initial 735,000 pounds (333 t), increasing the maximum range from 4,620 to 6,560 nautical miles (8,560 to 12,150 km).
How many gallons of gas does a 777 hold? ›A Boeing 777-300ER has a full fuel capacity of 47,890 gallons and burns fuel at the rate of roughly 2,500 gallons per hour (depending on the conditions, such as winds aloft and takeoff weight). A typical flight from New York to London on the Boeing 777-300ER would then cost around $33,000 in fuel.
What is the world's largest plane? ›Stratolaunch Roc, the world's biggest airplane, completed its ninth test flight over Mojave Desert. Made to carry rockets and smaller vehicles, the Roc is also called a mothership aircraft.
Is a 777 bigger than a 747? ›The 777X is a longer aircraft - just
According to Boeing's data, the 777-9 has a total length of 251 feet 9 inches (76.72 meters). The 747-8 is just a bit smaller at 250 feet 2 inches (76.3 meters). The 777-9 is the longest commercial aircraft ever built.
Aircraft are not weighed prior to each flight, but the basic empty weight must be known and checked periodically per regulation.
How much does an empty 747 weigh? ›The weight of an empty Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet without any passengers, freight or fuel is 412,300 lbs or 187,000 KGS. To put it in perspective, this is more than 4 times heavier than the empty weight of a Boeing 737-800 (which is 91,300 lb / 41,413 kg).