Originally Posted by
Bobster
I may have the answer using this sample chart for a 777-200:
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/air...sec3charts.pdf
The last 20,000 pounds of payload requires an extra 5,000 pounds of fuel to maintain a constant range of 3,300 nautical miles. (In other words, starting from a 100,000 pound payload, we add 20,000 more pounds to get the marginal difference for the 120,000 pound maximum payload. The chart shows that the extra 20,000 pound payload adds 25,000 pounds to the gross weight, therefore an extra 5,000 pounds of fuel was required.)
So, if a passenger has a total weight of 200 pounds, including baggage, that would require 50 pounds of extra fuel. Roughly. Converting to cost will be left as an exercise for the reader.
Bobster, you've enabled me to answer my question. If we convert the nautical miles to real miles we get about 3,800 miles. Jet fuel weighs 5.2 pounds per gallon, which I'l calculate at 5 pounds per gallon. So it takes 10 gallons of fuel to transport 200 pounds 3,800 pounds.
To get closer to my original question, It takes 1.3 gallons of fuel to transport 100 pounds 1,000 miles. By my calculation, it takes 1.664 ounces, more or less, to transport 1 pound of weight 1,000 miles. If we calculate the cost of jet fuel at $2.50 per gallon, then the cost to carry one pound 1,000 miles is 4.16 cents, at least on a 777.
At least I think that's the answer. Someone check my math and logic. Thanks Bobster for coming up with the facts.