The fuel burn rate of a Boeing 737 varies by the specific model and the phase of flight, but a standard 737-800 (one of the most common aircraft in 2026) typically burns between 5,000 and 6,000 pounds (approx. 2.5 to 3 tons) of jet fuel per hour of cruise. To put that in perspective, that is roughly 750 to 850 gallons of fuel every hour. The newer 737 MAX 8 is significantly more efficient, burning about 14-16% less fuel thanks to its advanced CFM LEAP-1B engines and aerodynamic winglets. During the initial takeoff and climb-out, the fuel burn is much higher—sometimes double the cruise rate—which is why short-haul flights are less fuel-efficient per mile than long-haul ones. Factors such as the aircraft's weight, the headwind or tailwind, and the altitude also play a major role in the final consumption. For airlines, this fuel burn represents their largest operating cost, which is why there is such a massive industry push toward "Sustainable Aviation Fuel" (SAF) and more aerodynamic designs to shave off even small percentages of hourly consumption.