Due to continuing increases in the cost of fuel, airlines want help deciding whether to land overweight, burn off fuel, or jettison fuel. Each choice has its own set of factors to consider. Holding to burn off fuel or jettisoning fuel prior to landing will result in increased fuel cost and time-related operational costs. Landing overweight requires an overweight landing inspection with its associated cost. Many airlines provide their flight crews with guidelines to enable the pilot to make an intelligent decision to burn off fuel, jettison fuel, or land overweight considering all relevant factors of any given situation.

This article provides general information and technical data on the structural and performance aspects of an overweight landing to assist airlines in determining which option is best suited to their operation and to a given situation.

The article covers these facets of overweight landings and fuel jettisoning: