Jet Fuel Price, Kerosene, Composition & Octane – December 16, 2025
Short Intro:
Jet fuel powers modern aviation, yet its pricing and properties often confuse industry newcomers. Understanding its composition, differences from kerosene, and cetane rating is crucial for airlines and operators.
What You’ll Learn:
- Key factors influencing jet fuel prices today
- Differences between jet fuel and kerosene
- Jet fuel composition and chemical properties
- Understanding jet fuel’s cetane number versus octane
- Market insights and forecasts from NovinTrades
1) Introduction
Introduction
Jet fuel price, kerosene differences, composition, and octane are critical topics for aviation professionals. Jet fuel is a refined, high-energy hydrocarbon mixture designed specifically for turbine engines. Its pricing, properties, and performance metrics directly influence airline operations, environmental strategies, and global air travel costs. Understanding the nuances of jet fuel compared to standard kerosene, as well as its cetane rating, provides clarity for operators and investors. This article examines jet fuel pricing, types, composition, and its ignition characteristics, offering a detailed market perspective from NovinTrades.
2) Jet Fuel Price
Jet Fuel Price
SEO Snippet: Jet fuel prices fluctuate due to crude oil costs, refining complexity, transportation, and global demand-supply dynamics.
Jet fuel, also called aviation turbine fuel (ATF), is influenced by multiple market forces. Crude oil is the largest price driver, affected by OPEC decisions, geopolitical tensions, and global economic trends. Refining costs further impact pricing, as Jet A/A-1 production involves stringent safety and environmental standards. Transportation and storage add logistic expenses, and disruptions in supply chains can trigger price spikes.
Global air travel demand plays a significant role: higher flight volumes elevate fuel consumption, pushing prices upward, while economic slowdowns reduce demand and soften prices. Airlines monitor these factors closely to manage costs and maintain profitability.
Related Keywords: aviation fuel cost, ATF pricing, crude oil influence, airline operating costs, fuel volatility
External Links:
- Platts Jet Fuel Pricing
- IATA Aviation Economics
NovinTrades Market View and Forecast:
December 2025 shows stable jet fuel prices, with modest upward pressure due to winter demand in Europe and limited refinery capacity. Strategic stockpiling by airlines may influence Q1 2026 pricing.
3) Jet Fuel Name
Jet Fuel Name
SEO Snippet: Jet fuel includes Jet A, Jet A-1, Jet B, and military JP fuels, each designed for specific performance and climate conditions.
Jet A/A-1 dominates commercial aviation. Jet A is primarily used in the U.S., while Jet A-1 is the international standard. Both are kerosene-based, with slight differences in freezing point and chemical additives. Jet B blends gasoline with kerosene and is designed for extremely cold environments but is less common due to safety considerations.
Military applications use JP-4, JP-5, JP-8, and JP-10. JP-8 has largely replaced JP-4 and JP-5 due to superior safety and performance. Emerging sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) from plant, algae, or waste feedstocks are gradually complementing traditional jet fuels, aiming to reduce emissions and dependency on fossil fuels.
Related Keywords: Jet A vs A-1, Jet B fuel, JP-8 military fuel, aviation fuel types, sustainable aviation fuels
External Links:
4) Jet Fuel vs Kerosene
Jet Fuel vs Kerosene
SEO Snippet: Jet fuel is refined kerosene with aviation-specific additives, while kerosene serves broader heating and lighting purposes.
Jet fuel is a high-quality kerosene optimized for turbine engines, with additives for stability, performance, and low-temperature operation. It has a higher flash point and lower freezing point than generic kerosene, ensuring safety and reliability at high altitudes.
Standard kerosene is versatile, used in heating and lamps, but lacks the additives and quality standards required for aviation. Using non-aviation kerosene in jet engines risks engine failure and safety hazards. Correct fuel selection ensures both performance and compliance with international aviation regulations.
Related Keywords: aviation turbine fuel, kerosene differences, fuel flash point, freeze point aviation fuel, turbine engine fuel
External Links:
- Fuel Properties Overview
- Aviation Safety Guidelines
5) Jet Fuel Composition
Jet Fuel Composition
SEO Snippet: Jet fuel consists mainly of hydrocarbons like long-chain alkanes, with minor aromatics, olefins, and additives for safe high-altitude performance.
Jet A and Jet A-1 are kerosene-based, with straight-chain alkanes containing 9–16 carbon atoms. Small amounts of aromatics, naphthenes, and olefins enhance combustion properties and thermal stability. Fractional distillation, hydrotreating, and catalytic cracking ensure purity and meet ASTM D1655 standards.
Freezing point is critical; these fuels remain liquid below -40°C to withstand high-altitude cold. Proper chemical composition ensures engine efficiency, safety, and emissions compliance.
Related Keywords: hydrocarbon fuel, kerosene composition, ASTM D1655, fuel stability, aviation-grade hydrocarbons
External Links:
- Jet Fuel Properties
- Refining Processes Explained
NovinTrades Market View:
Refinery margins and blending costs may affect composition-based pricing trends for 2026, particularly in regions adopting SAF blends.
6) Jet Fuel Octane
Jet Fuel Octane
SEO Snippet: Jet fuel does not use an octane rating but is evaluated by cetane number for ignition quality in turbine engines.
Unlike gasoline, jet fuel is rated using the cetane number, which measures ignition quality in compression-ignition systems. Typical values range from 45–50, supporting efficient continuous combustion in jet engines. Higher cetane numbers improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions.
Octane rating is irrelevant for gas turbines, as they rely on constant combustion cycles. Aviation authorities strictly regulate cetane and other fuel parameters to guarantee performance, safety, and consistency across commercial and military applications.
Related Keywords: cetane number, turbine engine ignition, fuel quality, combustion efficiency, aviation fuel rating
External Links:
- Cetane Number Details
- Engine Performance Guide
7) Aviation Fuel
Aviation Fuel
SEO Snippet: Aviation fuel is specialized kerosene, including Jet A and Jet A-1, refined for performance, safety, and emerging sustainable alternatives.
Aviation fuel powers commercial, general, and military aircraft. Jet A (U.S.) and Jet A-1 (global) provide high energy content and remain fluid at extreme altitudes. Refining ensures impurity removal, stability under stress, and safe combustion.
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) are gradually integrating into supply chains, produced from algae, plant, or waste feedstocks. These reduce carbon emissions while maintaining engine performance. Strict quality controls prevent contamination and ensure reliability for every flight.
Related Keywords: aviation turbine fuel, Jet A vs Jet A-1, sustainable aviation fuel, SAF adoption, fuel safety standards
External Links:
NovinTrades Market View:
Global SAF adoption is expected to influence jet fuel supply and pricing by 2026, with European airports leading SAF blending initiatives.
8) Conclusion
Conclusion: Jet Fuel Price, Kerosene, Composition & Octane
SEO Snippet: Jet fuel pricing, composition, and cetane ratings are central to aviation performance, safety, and sustainability.
Jet fuel, a refined kerosene with strict quality standards, differs from generic kerosene in composition, freezing point, and safety additives. Its pricing is dictated by crude oil costs, refining complexity, logistics, and global demand. The cetane number ensures ignition quality for turbine engines, replacing octane ratings used in cars. Emerging SAFs are shaping the future of aviation fuel, offering environmental benefits while maintaining performance.
Related Keywords: aviation fuel analysis, ATF pricing trends, kerosene vs jet fuel, cetane number aviation, sustainable aviation fuels
External Links:
- Aviation Fuel Analysis
- Jet Fuel Market Updates
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