At What Temperature Does Jet Fuel Burn?

Jet fuel burns at temperatures between 800 to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. Designed specifically for use with gas-turbine engines, jet fuel is available in three varieties: Jet A, Jet A-1 and Jet B. The latter is used for improved cold-weather performance.

The flash point of both Jet A and Jet A-1, the two most commonly used fuels for commercial aviation, is 100 F. They both have an autoignition temperature of 473 F.

Jet A is usually found only in the United States, and the rest of the world uses Jet A-1. The main difference between the two jet fuels is that A-1 freezes at a lower temperature. They are both kerosene-type jet fuels.

Consumption of jet fuel worldwide has tripled from close to two million barrels a day in 1980 to more than five million barrels per day in 2010. Efforts are being made to develop alternatives including synthetic jet fuels and jet biofuels. Qatar Airways used a 50:50 blend of synthetic jet fuel and conventional jet fuel successfully for a 6-hour flight in 2009.

Jet fuel is used in some vehicles with diesel engines because of its similarity to diesel fuel. A few engine manufacturers also produce aircraft diesel engines which can run on jet fuel.