In 2026, the cost to fuel a plane varies wildly by its size and current jet fuel prices ($2.50–$3.00 per gallon). A standard Boeing 737-800 holds about 6,800 gallons, meaning a "full tank" costs roughly $17,000 to $20,000. On the extreme end, a long-haul giant like the Airbus A380 can hold over 84,000 gallons of fuel, which would cost a staggering $210,000 to $250,000 to fill from empty. These costs are the primary driver of airline ticket prices; for a transoceanic flight, fuel can account for nearly 30% of the airline's total operating expense. Most commercial flights do not actually "tanker" a full load unless necessary for the route, as the extra weight of the fuel itself makes the plane less efficient to fly.