Jet Fuel Explained: Jet A, Jet A-1 and What Fuel Airplanes Use

What Fuel Do Airplanes Use?

Most commercial aircraft and private jets use kerosene-based aviation turbine fuel, primarily Jet A or Jet A-1. Jet A is used mainly in the United States, while Jet A-1 is the standard across most of the rest of the world.

Although the two fuels are very similar, they differ in areas such as freezing point, regional availability and specification. Other aviation fuels, including Jet B, Avgas and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), are used in more specific circumstances.
‍

Jet A

Used primarily in the United States, Jet A is a kerosene-based aviation turbine fuel designed for jet engines and turboprops. It is commonly used by commercial airliners, private jets and other turbine-powered aircraft operating within the US.

Jet A has a maximum freezing point of -40°C. That matters because fuel temperatures can fall significantly during flight, particularly at high altitude, so aviation fuel must remain fluid and perform reliably in very cold conditions.

For most passengers, the type of fuel has no noticeable effect on the journey. Operators use fuel approved for the aircraft and available at the airport, with Jet A being the standard choice across much of the US aviation network.

‍

Jet A-1

Jet A-1 is the most widely used jet fuel internationally and is the standard kerosene-based aviation turbine fuel across most of Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and many other markets.

Like Jet A, it is used in commercial airliners, private jets and turboprop aircraft. The key technical difference is its lower maximum freezing point of -47°C, compared with -40°C for Jet A. That lower freezing point gives Jet A-1 a greater margin in very cold operating conditions, including long periods at cruising altitude and flights through colder regions.

Because it is the dominant international specification, Jet A-1 is the fuel most commonly encountered on flights outside the United States and on international routes.

‍

Jet A vs Jet A-1

Jet A and Jet A-1 are closely related fuels and are used for the same types of turbine-powered aircraft. The main differences are where they are commonly supplied and their maximum freezing points, with Jet A-1 designed to tolerate lower temperatures.

‍

In practical terms, aircraft operators do not usually choose between Jet A and Jet A-1 based on performance. The fuel used is determined primarily by aircraft approval, local supply and the specifications in use at the airport.

What can vary much more significantly is the price of the fuel itself, which differs by airport, region and market conditions. For more on this, see our guide to how much jet fuel costs.

‍

What Is Jet Fuel Made From?

Conventional jet fuel is made primarily from kerosene, a petroleum-based product produced during the refining of crude oil. Kerosene sits between petrol and diesel in the refining process and is well suited to aviation because it combines high energy density with reliable performance across a wide range of temperatures.

Jet fuels such as Jet A and Jet A-1 are not simply standard kerosene. They are manufactured to tightly controlled aviation specifications covering properties such as freezing point, flash point, thermal stability and contamination limits.

Additives may also be used to improve characteristics such as static dissipation, corrosion protection and fuel system performance. The exact formulation can vary depending on the fuel specification and where it is supplied.

The result is a fuel designed to remain stable and usable in the demanding conditions aircraft encounter, from ground operations in hot climates to prolonged exposure to very low temperatures at cruising altitude.

Jet Fuel vs Petrol and Gasoline

Jet fuel is not the same as petrol or gasoline. Jet A and Jet A-1 are kerosene-based fuels designed for turbine engines, while petrol is a lighter and more volatile fuel used mainly in cars and other spark-ignition engines.

The difference matters because aircraft engines operate under very different conditions from road vehicles. Jet fuel is formulated to remain stable at high altitude, tolerate very low temperatures and deliver consistent performance over long periods of operation.

Some smaller aircraft do use a gasoline-type fuel called Avgas, but this is intended for piston-engine aircraft rather than the turbine engines used by most commercial airliners and private jets.

‍

Fuel Use in Private Jets

Private jets typically use the same Jet A or Jet A-1 fuels as commercial aircraft, but the amount burned varies considerably between aircraft types.

Fuel consumption depends on factors such as aircraft size, engine type, weight, cruising speed and flight distance. A light jet will generally burn far less fuel per hour than a large-cabin or ultra-long-range aircraft, while take-off and climb also use fuel at a higher rate than steady cruise.

For charter customers, this matters because fuel is one of the major operating costs built into the price of a flight. Aircraft choice can therefore have a significant impact on both fuel use and overall charter cost.

For a closer look at how different aircraft compare, see our guide to the most fuel-efficient private jets.

Jet Fuel FAQs

What is Jet B?

Jet B is a less common aviation turbine fuel made from a wider blend of kerosene and gasoline-type components. It has very good cold-weather performance, but its higher volatility makes it more difficult to handle than Jet A or Jet A-1. It is therefore used mainly in very cold regions and only in limited circumstances.

What is Avgas?

Avgas, short for aviation gasoline, is a fuel used mainly by smaller piston-engine aircraft. It is different from Jet A and Jet A-1 and is not used by most commercial airliners or private jets, which typically rely on kerosene-based turbine fuel.

Can private jets use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?

Yes. Many private jets can use approved Sustainable Aviation Fuel blends without requiring changes to the aircraft or engines.

Once blended and certified, SAF is designed to meet the same technical standards as conventional jet fuel. Its main advantage is the potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions compared with fossil-based Jet A or Jet A-1, although availability remains limited and varies between airports.

Is jet fuel the same as kerosene?

Jet A and Jet A-1 are kerosene-based fuels, but they are not simply ordinary kerosene. Aviation fuel is manufactured to strict specifications covering properties such as freezing point, flash point, thermal stability and fuel quality.

Do all airplanes use the same fuel?

No. Most turbine-powered aircraft, including commercial airliners and private jets, use Jet A or Jet A-1. Smaller piston-engine aircraft often use Avgas, while some operators can also use approved SAF blends where available.

Which is more common, Jet A or Jet A-1?

Jet A is used mainly in the United States, while Jet A-1 is the standard fuel across most international markets. Globally, Jet A-1 is therefore the more widely used of the two.