Block Fuel

Block Fuel is the total quantity of fuel loaded for a flight, calculated to cover all phases from engine start at the departure gate to engine shutdown at the destination gate. It includes:

Taxi fuel: For ground operations before takeoff and after landing
Trip fuel: For the planned route from takeoff to landing
Contingency fuel: Typically 5% of trip fuel for unforeseen factors
Alternate fuel: To fly from destination to alternate airport
Final reserve: 30 minutes at holding speed (domestic) or 45 minutes (international)
Extra/discretionary fuel: Additional fuel at captain's discretion

Block fuel planning is a core function of the Flight Management System and dispatch process.