B737-700
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 156; Flight Crew Type 4000
Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Company Policy
Our flight plan had us at 40;000 feet for almost the entire flight.  The STAR that was filed has published altitudes much lower than what was flight planned by Dispatch greatly increasing our fuel burns. Our new fuel policy already puts us into a tight spot with regard to arrival fuel; but an inaccurate flight plan with expected altitudes puts even greater pressure on our arrival fuel.The new fuel policy needs to have a larger window for error so that we aren't put into a critical fuel situation with any abnormal issues.  Our flight plans should also have more accurate altitudes so that they can be trusted more for the information they are providing.
B737 First Officer laments his company's new fuel policy that is exacerbated by flight plans with unrealistic altitude assumptions; resulting in low arrival fuel.