A350-900 Edges Out 787-9 in Fuel Efficiency Per Passenger

A recent comparison between two long-haul aircraft has shed light on their fuel efficiency per passenger. The Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-900 are both popular choices for airlines, but how do they stack up when it comes to getting the most miles out of a gallon?

According to Josh, a financial journalist with a background in aviation, the A350-900 gets an estimated 2.5 nautical miles per liter (mpg) of fuel, while the Boeing 787-9 manages around 2.3 mpg. To compare these figures on a passenger-by-passenger basis, we need to consider the seating capacity of each aircraft.

The Airbus A350-900 typically seats around 325 passengers in a three-class configuration, while the Boeing 787-9 can accommodate up to 330 passengers in a similar setup. This means that the A350-900 gets approximately 812 miles (1,305 km) per gallon of fuel per passenger, compared to 686 miles (1,105 km) for the 787-9.

While these figures may not seem like a significant difference, they do add up over time. Airlines are constantly looking for ways to reduce their operating costs and improve their bottom line, and fuel efficiency is a key area of focus.