This is false. A good rule of thumb in airline ops: ✈️ Typical difference Two 6-hour flights burn about 5–15% more fuel than one 12-hour flight. Why that range? It depends on aircraft type and route, but roughly: Narrow-body (e.g., 737, A320) Shorter legs are a bigger penalty ~10–15% more fuel when split into two flights Wide-body (e.g., 787, A350) Designed for long haul efficiency ~5–10% more fuel when split Simple illustrative example (widebody) 12-hour flight: ~100 tons fuel Two 6-hour flights: ~108–112 tons total That extra ~8–12 tons comes mostly from: Second climb (biggest factor) Less time at optimal cruise altitude Extra taxi, descent, and approach phases Big picture Airlines strongly prefer longer nonstop routes when possible—not just for passengers, but because: Fuel is the largest operating cost Even a ~5–10% savings is millions per year per aircraft
