just wanted to see the heavier you are with passengers and cargo, can affect your ability to travel long distance. id think so because you can go higher altitudes but i just wanted to ask to make sure
More weight means that the aircraft’s engines have to increase power output to maintain the same flight profile as a lighter aircraft hence more fuel burn, so yes, the heavier the plane, the more fuel it needs.
Another reason would be since a heavier aircraft would cruise at a lower altitude, it would be exposed to more aerodynamic drag than a plane cruising above it hence fuel burn increases. This is prominent on long haul flights where step-climbing is used.
Info about step-climbing:
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Yes it does. Less thrust will be required the lighter you are and the bigger range for altitudes means you can cruise higher with even more efficiency.
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