Jet Fuel Price Per Gallon Today
Access real-time kerosene-type jet fuel spot pricing data through our professional API. Essential for airline cost planning and aviation fuel management.
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Real-Time Updates
Jet fuel spot prices updated regularly from aviation fuel markets
Aviation Standard
Kerosene-type jet fuel (Jet A/A-1) pricing for commercial aviation
API Integration
Simple REST API with comprehensive documentation and code examples
What Is Jet Fuel?
Jet fuel is a kerosene-based aviation turbine fuel refined from crude oil, used to power commercial aircraft, military jets, and turboprop engines. Kerosene-type jet fuel (Jet A and Jet A-1) accounts for approximately 99% of all aviation fuel consumed globally — over 8 million barrels per day. It is produced during the fractional distillation of crude oil, extracted at temperatures between 150-275°C, and must meet strict ASTM D1655 (US) or DEF STAN 91-91 (international) specifications.
Jet fuel pricing is driven by crude oil costs (typically Brent crude or WTI crude) plus the refining margin (crack spread), delivery logistics, and local taxes. Fuel represents 20-30% of airline operating costs, making it the second-largest expense after labor and a critical factor in airline profitability, ticket pricing, and route decisions.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | ≥38°C (100°F) — safety requirement |
| Freeze Point | Jet A: -40°C / Jet A-1: -47°C |
| Density | 775-840 kg/m³ at 15°C |
| Energy Content | ~43.15 MJ/kg (18,580 BTU/lb) |
| Sulfur Content | ≤0.3% by mass |
| ASTM Specification | ASTM D1655 (US) / DEF STAN 91-91 (international) |
| Global Consumption | ~8 million barrels/day (~340 million gallons/day) |
| API Code | JET_FUEL_USD |
Jet Fuel Grades Comparison
Jet A
Standard in the United States. Freeze point -40°C. Used by all US commercial airlines. ASTM D1655 specification.
Jet A-1
International standard. Lower freeze point (-47°C) for polar routes. Used by airlines worldwide outside the US. DEF STAN 91-91.
JP-8
Military specification. Similar to Jet A-1 with additives for corrosion inhibition, icing protection, and thermal stability. NATO standard fuel.
Avgas 100LL
Piston aircraft only. Leaded aviation gasoline for small propeller planes. Not used in turbine engines. Being phased out.
How Is Jet Fuel Priced?
Jet fuel pricing is based on the Platts JET assessment, a daily benchmark published by S&P Global Platts. Three regional pricing hubs dominate global jet fuel markets:
US Gulf Coast (USGC)
Primary benchmark for North American jet fuel. Priced off WTI crude plus refining margin. Pipeline-delivered to major US airports.
Northwest Europe (NWE)
European benchmark priced off Brent crude. Rotterdam/ARA region is the trading hub. Barges deliver to European airports.
Singapore
Asia-Pacific benchmark. Major refining hub serving airlines across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Highest-volume aviation fuel trading region.
The Jet Fuel Crack Spread
The crack spread is the difference between jet fuel price and crude oil cost — it represents the refiner's gross margin. A typical jet fuel crack spread ranges from $10-25 per barrel. When crack spreads widen, it signals strong aviation demand or refinery constraints. When they narrow, it suggests oversupply or weak demand. Airlines and fuel traders monitor crack spreads closely — they affect airline profitability even when crude prices are stable.
Airline Fuel Hedging Strategies
With fuel consuming 20-30% of operating costs, airlines use financial instruments to hedge against price volatility. Most major airlines hedge 40-80% of their fuel needs 12-24 months forward.
Common Hedging Instruments
- Forward Contracts: Lock in future fuel purchases at a fixed price — simple but no upside if prices fall
- Call Options: Pay a premium for the right (not obligation) to buy fuel at a set price — keeps upside if prices fall
- Collar Strategies: Buy a call + sell a put to create a price range — limits both upside and downside exposure
- Swaps: Exchange floating prices for fixed rates with counterparties — common in airline fuel contracts
Notable Hedging Outcomes
- Southwest Airlines: Saved $3.5B+ from 1999-2008 through aggressive hedging when oil surged to $147/barrel
- Delta Air Lines: Purchased a refinery in 2012 to vertically integrate fuel supply — unconventional but effective hedge
- COVID-19 (2020): Airlines locked into high-price hedges suffered losses when demand collapsed and prices crashed to $0.50/gallon
Frequently Asked Questions About Jet Fuel Prices
What is the current jet fuel price per gallon?
The current jet fuel price is $2.18 per gallon, updated 0 minutes ago. This is the spot price for kerosene-type jet fuel (Jet A/Jet A-1), the most common aviation fuel type used by commercial airlines.
What is kerosene-type jet fuel?
Kerosene-type jet fuel (Jet A and Jet A-1) is a refined petroleum product used in turbine-powered aircraft. It has a higher flash point than gasoline, making it safer for aviation use. Jet A is used primarily in the United States, while Jet A-1 is the international standard and includes a freeze point depressant.
How often are jet fuel prices updated?
Our jet fuel prices are updated regularly during market hours, providing near real-time spot price data. The data includes the latest prices in USD per gallon with timestamps for each update.
Why do airlines track jet fuel prices?
Jet fuel typically accounts for 20-30% of airline operating costs, making it the second-largest expense after labor. Airlines track prices for budgeting, fuel hedging strategies, ticket pricing, fuel surcharge calculations, and route profitability analysis. Real-time data from APIs like ours powers airline financial planning systems.
How is jet fuel priced?
Jet fuel is priced based on the Platts JET assessment, a daily benchmark from S&P Global Platts. The price equals crude oil cost plus the refining margin (crack spread). Three regional hubs set prices: US Gulf Coast (off WTI), Northwest Europe (off Brent), and Singapore. Airlines negotiate contracts based on these benchmarks plus delivery and handling premiums.
What is the jet fuel crack spread?
The crack spread is the difference between jet fuel price and crude oil cost — the refiner's gross margin for converting crude into kerosene. Typical range: $10-25/barrel. Widening spreads signal strong aviation demand or refinery constraints; narrowing spreads suggest oversupply. Track crude inputs via our BRENT_CRUDE_USD and JET_FUEL_USD API codes.
How do airlines hedge jet fuel costs?
Airlines hedge 40-80% of fuel needs 12-24 months forward using financial instruments: forward contracts (fixed price), call options (price ceiling with downside flexibility), collar strategies (price range), and swaps (fixed-for-floating exchange). Southwest Airlines famously saved $3.5B+ through aggressive hedging from 1999-2008. View historical fuel prices for hedging analysis.
Integrate Live Jet Fuel Data
Get the same real-time jet fuel price data powering this page. Perfect for aviation analytics, fuel management systems, and airline cost tracking.
curl https://api.oilpriceapi.com/v1/prices/latest \ -H 'Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY' \ -d 'by_code=JET_FUEL_USD'
curl https://api.oilpriceapi.com/v1/prices/latest \ -H 'Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY' \ -d 'by_code=JET_FUEL_USD,BRENT_CRUDE_USD,WTI_CRUDE_USD'
curl https://api.oilpriceapi.com/v1/prices/past_day \ -H 'Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY' \ -d 'by_code=JET_FUEL_USD'