* Hydrogen propulsion is assumed to be based on fuel cells for commuter and regional flights while Hydrogen turbines are used for short, medium, and long-range flights.
** Synfuel is produced with reverse water gas shift reaction and direct air capture.
The production of fuels is based in Europe.
Citation formats
Costs of using different types of fuels in the aviation industry 2040
It is estimated that by 2040, using alternative fuels in the aviation industry will almost be as economical as using jet fuel. In 2040, switching to hydrogen fuel on short-range flights will cost *** U.S. dollar cents for each available seat kilometer, while operating long-haul flights using synthetic fuel will cost *** U.S. dollars per available seat kilometer.
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McKinsey & Company. (February 28, 2021). Projected cost of aviation fuels in 2040, by fuel and flight type (in U.S. dollar cents per available seat kilometer) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 25, 2026, from /statistics/1267965/costs-alternative-fuels-aviation-industry/
McKinsey & Company. "Projected cost of aviation fuels in 2040, by fuel and flight type (in U.S. dollar cents per available seat kilometer)." Chart. February 28, 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 25, 2026. /statistics/1267965/costs-alternative-fuels-aviation-industry/
McKinsey & Company. (2021). Projected cost of aviation fuels in 2040, by fuel and flight type (in U.S. dollar cents per available seat kilometer). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 25, 2026. /statistics/1267965/costs-alternative-fuels-aviation-industry/
McKinsey & Company. "Projected Cost of Aviation Fuels in 2040, by Fuel and Flight Type (in U.S. Dollar Cents per Available Seat Kilometer)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 28 Feb 2021, /statistics/1267965/costs-alternative-fuels-aviation-industry/
McKinsey & Company, Projected cost of aviation fuels in 2040, by fuel and flight type (in U.S. dollar cents per available seat kilometer) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1267965/costs-alternative-fuels-aviation-industry/ (last visited July 25, 2026)
Projected cost of aviation fuels in 2040, by fuel and flight type (in U.S. dollar cents per available seat kilometer) [Graph], McKinsey & Company, February 28, 2021. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1267965/costs-alternative-fuels-aviation-industry/
