Comment Re:With REALLY Huge Fans... (Score 3, Interesting) 280
I would think it also depends on when the plane is flying. If it's entire trip is during daylight hours, and it's above the clouds as most larger aircraft flights are, then you may be able to use solar panels in place of the majority of the batteries. Plus you won't have to carry the weight (as much) in fuel.
It's probably not a practical solution currently. But as efficiencies increase, it's at least feasible it may be at some point in the future.