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An empty plane is pretty light so it burns less fuel, AND because they don't have passengers and cargo counting against their MTOW (maximum takeoff weight) they
by bengl3rt 15y ago
An empty plane is pretty light so it burns less fuel, AND because they don't have passengers and cargo counting against their MTOW (maximum takeoff weight) they can take off with more fuel.
Most planes don't leave topped-off - they leave with the right amount of fuel to hit the maximum takeoff weight given that day's load.
- saalweachter 15y agoNot to mention that extra fuel (20 hours of fuel on a New York to Chicago flight) becomes "cargo". No point in burning the fuel (and corresponding dollars) to ship fuel the most expensive way possible to an airport that already has plenty.