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IF??
IF we approach the speed of light the fuel consumption would become infinite, SO WHAT?

Boing says that a 747 uses five gallons a mile.
Chicago to Denver 1000 miles, 5000 gal fuel, 400 passengers.
100 suburban’s Chicago to Denver with nine passengers each 900 passengers and the same 5000 gal fuel. MORE LEG ROOM AND BETTER FOOD!!!
NOT EVEN CLOSE!

Donot forget the passenger load factor.

Boeing: Commercial Airplanes - 747 Fun Facts

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747family/pf/pf_facts.html

A 747-400 that flies 3,500 statute miles (5,630 km) and carries 126,000 pounds (56,700 kg) of fuel will consume an average of five gallons (19 L) per mile.

United reports highest ever September passenger load factor Airline Industry Information - Find Articles

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CWU/is_2005_Oct_5/ai_n15676139

The airline said that it had achieved its highest-ever September passenger load factor of 80.2% while the total scheduled revenue passenger miles

There are some nice airline cost charts here, lots of ways to look at it. Right now it costs 13 cents per mile to fly in a jet at 500mph. The IRS says automobiles currently cost 48.5 cents per mile total to operate. So if you fill 4 seats in your truck the cost is about the same. The difference is one averages 50mph and the other 500mph. The airline has professional pilots and stewardesses to serve you, a nice view, no cops in speed traps to deal with, bathrooms in front and back, free food, and movies.

Based on one of the charts jets currently get a real world 49 mpg at 500mph. This is factoring in the empty seats. They would get about 200 mpg if they slowed down to 250mph.