It is an interesting point. And, I am an -ex bean counter, but have no specialization in the airline biz (iow, your opinion is as good as mine on this one).

I fly the Jungle Jet at present. At cruise it burns about 3,000lbs/hr, lets just say 3,500/hr average for the whole profile, which for most of our hops is above average. So with fuel weighing 6.767 lbs/gal, we have 517 gals/hr. Assuming an 80% load factor for us (50 seat jet), 40 people. That is 12 gallons per person to fly for an hour and cover approx 420 miles or so. 420 miles/ 12 gallons gives 35 miles per gallon per seat. Thar rivals any car out there right now, save for a geo or something.

Speaking of money, that is $38.64 in fuel.

Assuming the airplane is full, that turns into 10.3 gals/hour or $33.29/hour or almost 41 miles per gallon per seat.

This is all based on a fifty seater with bad fuel burn.

I believe a 747-400 burns about 19,800lbs/hr in cruise. So, that is 2,926 gallons per hour. Cost of that is $9,422 per hour. Assuming a cabin cfg of 350 people, that is $26.92 per person per hour. Assuming 450 miles per hour, that is 8.36 gallons per hour or 54 miles per gallon!!

In terms of time that means every pax is paying about 6 cents per mile.

To drive my Jeep Wrangler right now costs me almost 22 cents per mile in fuel.