Originally Posted by
RexBanner
Well when you’re talking about making a saving of 8kgs but then you then wipe out that saving by taxying a much further distance (think E vs FR at EGKK for instance) then yes it is very relevant. I think the braking to start causing whiplash would be extreme indeed (never have I once experienced it as a passenger or as a crew member and I operate/pax into EGJJ a lot).
Looking at Gatwick,
E vs
FR is exactly what I'd consider negligible for fuel burn, after having spent a few hours up at altitude burning 100lb a minute. It adds what, an extra 45 seconds to the flight? How does that compare to not getting that step climb at exactly the right spot, or flying 2000ft higher or lower for turbulence? Get to the gate too soon, and the ground staff isn't ready anyway
As I said earlier, my opinion is that the taxi fuel saving there is academic.