TWA flight 800 was a 747-100 that departed NY for Paris and then on to Rome. It crashed 12 minutes after takeoff in the Atlantic Ocean off Long Island. An extensive FBI investigation concluded a spark in the empty main fuel tanks ignited lingering fumes which blew the nose off the aircraft, which somehow gained altitude prior to diving down to the water. The impact spread debris over a wide area. This became the official cause of the explosion that killed 212 people.
However, hundreds of witnesses along the L.I. shore reported seeing what they interpreted as fiery rocket or missile trails speeding up toward the 747 immediately prior to the deadly explosion.
One point was studiously avoided during the public FBI explanation of the fuel tank explosion: no one asked why an aircraft departing on an Intercontinental flight over water would takeoff with empty main fuel tanks.
The FBI’s so-called explanation doesn’t begin to pass the smell test because it’s a lie. That aircraft was shot down using advanced military weapons. And, our government used the FBI to cover it up.
Having flown the 747, and the JFK-CDG route, the center fuel tanks (the one that exploded) would normally be empty. The center tank is the last filled and first emptied. This is the same for all Boeing’s. Paris is a relatively short flight - 7:00 hours. The wing tanks had plenty of room for the necessary fuel.
While I don’t know the fuel needs for a West to East flight per say, the airstream does allow planes to use less fuel.