What is the standard international fuel plan when an alternate is listed?

• A. Fuel to destination plus 10%, then to most distant alternate, plus 30 minutes at holding speed.
• B. Fuel to destination only.
• C. Fuel to destination plus 2 hours.
• D. Fuel to the destination plus 15 minutes at holding speed.

Answer: (A)

When an alternate is listed, you plan fuel in stages to cover possible delays and a diversion. The standard international plan is fuel to the destination plus a 10% contingency, then fuel to the most distant alternate, and finally enough holding fuel for 30 minutes at holding speed. This setup ensures you have extra fuel for headwinds or unforeseen factors to reach the destination, the ability to divert to the farthest suitable alternate if needed, and enough reserve to hold if weather or ATC prevents immediate landing at the alternate.

Other options miss one of those essential elements: they either omit the alternate leg, omit the holding reserve, or skip the contingency, which could leave you with insufficient fuel if conditions change.