Update frequency: The EIA publishes Gulf Coast Jet A spot prices once per week, typically on Thursdays. FBO retail prices are refreshed three times daily from AirNav.
FBO Retail Prices
What operators are paying at the pump. Spot price + FBO markup = retail.
Fuel Cost Estimator
Estimate fuel cost using the national average FBO retail price across 6 major markets.
On This Page
What Is Jet A Fuel
Jet A is the standard aviation turbine fuel used in the United States. It is a kerosene-grade fuel refined from crude oil and specified under ASTM D1655 and DEF STAN 91-91. Every turbine-powered aircraft operating in the continental U.S., from a Phenom 100 to a Boeing 777, burns some variant of this fuel.
The specification parameters are precise. Jet A has a flash point above 38°C (100°F), a freeze point of -40°C (-40°F), and a minimum energy density of 42.8 MJ/kg. These values exist for a reason: the flash point ensures the fuel will not ignite during ground handling in hot climates, and the freeze point determines whether the fuel remains liquid at cruise altitude where outside air temperatures reach -57°C.
| Property | Jet A | Jet A-1 | Jet B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeze Point | -40°C (-40°F) | -47°C (-52.6°F) | -60°C (-76°F) |
| Flash Point | ≥38°C (100°F) | ≥38°C (100°F) | N/A (wide-cut) |
| Density | 6.7 lb/gal | 6.7 lb/gal | 6.4 lb/gal |
| Primary Market | United States | International | Arctic / Military |
| Specification | ASTM D1655 | DEF STAN 91-91 | ASTM D6615 |
Fuel quality control at the FBO level follows the Joint Inspection Group (JIG) standards. Every load is tested for water contamination, particulate matter, and conductivity before it reaches an aircraft wing tank. A single contaminated fuel load can ground a fleet, which is why the supply chain from refinery to wing is one of the most tightly controlled in any industry.
Jet A vs. Jet A-1 vs. Jet B
The distinction matters for international operations. Jet A is the U.S. standard with a freeze point of -40°C. Jet A-1 is the international equivalent with a lower freeze point of -47°C, making it suitable for polar routes and extreme cold weather operations. Both are kerosene-type fuels and are interchangeable in most turbine engines. An aircraft fueled with Jet A in Miami and topped off with Jet A-1 in London will operate normally.
Jet B is a different category entirely. It is a wide-cut fuel (a blend of gasoline and kerosene) with a freeze point of -60°C, designed for Arctic operations where conventional kerosene would gel. Jet B is rarely encountered outside northern Canada and military applications. Its lower flash point makes it significantly more volatile during ground handling, which is why most commercial and business aviation operators avoid it.
What Drives Jet Fuel Prices
Jet fuel pricing follows crude oil, but the relationship is not a simple 1:1 ratio. The price you see on this page, the U.S. Gulf Coast Spot Price FOB, reflects the wholesale cost of refined kerosene before transportation, storage, and retail markup. Several forces shape this number:
Crude Oil Correlation
Approximately 60-70% of jet fuel's cost traces directly to crude oil input prices. When WTI or Brent crude moves, jet fuel follows within days. The crack spread (the difference between crude input cost and refined fuel output price) typically ranges from $10-$25 per barrel, depending on refinery utilization and seasonal demand.
Refining Margins and Capacity
The Gulf Coast is home to the largest concentration of refineries in the Western Hemisphere. When hurricanes threaten the Gulf, refinery outages spike and jet fuel prices can move $0.50/gallon in a single week. Planned maintenance turnarounds at major refineries have the same effect on a smaller scale.
Geopolitical Supply Risk
The Strait of Hormuz crisis in early 2026 demonstrated how quickly geopolitical events translate to fuel cost. Approximately 20% of global oil supply transits the Strait. When shipping insurance rates spike, the cost ripples through every gallon of jet fuel worldwide within weeks.
Seasonal Demand
Jet fuel demand peaks during summer travel season (June-August) and holiday periods (Thanksgiving through New Year). Charter operators booking heavy schedules during these windows face higher fuel costs that directly impact trip pricing.
How Operators Manage Fuel Costs
For a large-cabin jet burning 350+ gallons per hour, fuel is the single largest variable cost on any trip. Operators use several strategies to manage this exposure:
- Contract fuel programs. High-volume operators negotiate standing discounts with FBO chains. Atlantic Aviation, Signature Flight Support, and other major chains offer tiered pricing that can reduce per-gallon cost by $0.50-$1.50 below posted retail.
- Fuel hedging. Fractional programs and large fleet operators hedge future fuel purchases using derivatives contracts, locking in prices months in advance. NetJets and Flexjet both maintain active hedging programs.
- Tankering. When fuel prices vary significantly between airports on a route, operators may carry extra fuel from the cheaper station to avoid purchasing at the expensive one. The trade-off is additional weight and slightly higher fuel burn.
- Route optimization. Modern flight planning software factors fuel prices at alternate airports into routing decisions. A tech stop at a lower-cost fuel station can save thousands on a transcontinental flight.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel and the Future of Jet A
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is the aviation industry's primary decarbonization strategy. SAF is chemically similar to Jet A and approved for blending up to 50% with conventional fuel in existing engines. No aircraft modifications are required.
The challenge is supply and cost. Current global SAF production covers less than 0.1% of aviation fuel demand. Pricing runs 2-4x conventional Jet A, though the premium is narrowing as production scales. The Inflation Reduction Act's SAF tax credit ($1.25-$1.75/gallon) has accelerated U.S. production facility investment.
For operators and owners tracking fuel costs, SAF represents a future pricing variable. As blending mandates increase (the EU's ReFuelEU mandate requires 2% SAF by 2025, rising to 70% by 2050), the blended cost of jet fuel will reflect SAF premiums. Read our detailed comparison: SAF vs. Jet A: What Operators Need to Know.
Fuel Cost Questions for Your Mission?
Whether you're planning a single charter or evaluating operating costs for an acquisition, our team provides transparent fuel cost breakdowns for any route and aircraft type.
Frequently Asked Questions
The current U.S. Gulf Coast Jet A spot price is updated weekly from the EIA. As of April 2026, prices have traded between $2.00 and $4.00 per gallon FOB. FBO retail prices typically add $2.00 to $5.00 per gallon for handling, storage, and into-plane delivery.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration publishes weekly spot prices every Thursday, reflecting the previous week's closing price. This tracker updates automatically on each page load.
All pricing data is sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Petroleum Spot Price dataset, series EER_EPJK_PF4_RGC_DPG. This is the official U.S. government source for energy commodity pricing.
Jet A and Jet A-1 are both kerosene-type fuels meeting ASTM D1655 specifications. The primary difference is freeze point: Jet A freezes at -40°C while Jet A-1 freezes at -47°C. Jet A is standard in the United States; Jet A-1 is the international standard.
Fuel burn varies by aircraft size. Light jets like the Citation CJ3+ burn approximately 170 gallons per hour. Midsize jets like the Challenger 350 burn around 250 GPH. Large-cabin jets like the Gulfstream G650ER consume approximately 450 GPH.
Jet fuel prices are driven by crude oil prices, refining margins, seasonal demand patterns, geopolitical supply disruptions, transportation costs, and regional inventory levels. The Gulf Coast spot price serves as the U.S. benchmark.
Most charter operators pass fuel costs through to the client as a line item on the trip quote. Some operators hedge fuel at fixed prices and offer stable fuel rates. Contract fuel programs at high-volume FBOs can reduce per-gallon costs by $0.50 to $1.50.
Jet A has a minimum flash point of 38°C (100°F), making it significantly safer to handle than gasoline. The higher flash point reduces fire risk during fueling, storage, and transport operations.
SAF is approved as a drop-in blend up to 50% with conventional Jet A. Current global SAF production covers less than 0.1% of aviation fuel demand. Full replacement is decades away, but blending percentages are increasing as production capacity expands.
The Gulf Coast spot price is the wholesale benchmark. FBO retail prices add transportation costs, storage fees, into-plane service charges, local taxes, and facility margins. Typical FBO markup ranges from $2.00 to $5.00+ per gallon above spot.
Plan Your Mission
From fuel costs to fleet selection, The Jet Finder provides the data and access you need.
Related Information
Spot price data sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration — Petroleum Spot Price Dataset (Series: EER_EPJK_PF4_RGC_DPG). Published weekly on Thursdays. FBO retail prices sourced from AirNav, refreshed 3× daily.