Widebody; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 230; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 400
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Weather
After reaching the first ETOPS check point; it was determined that a significant amount of fuel had been burned in excess of estimated flight planned fuel burn (approx. -1;500lbs). We monitored the fuel gauges and fuel burn and realized the fuel would be also short of flight plan at the next ETOPS check point. At approximately 200NM West of CORTT we calculated that the fuel at the Critical Point (CP) would be approximately 4;500lbs less than flight plan fuel. A wind bust of approximately 100 kts was found when the chart forecast wind and dispatch winds were compared to actual winds. At this point a request was made to KZAK for a clearance to return to HNL since we had not yet reached the CP. A reply of 'Standby' was received however we determined that we could not continue EAST bound without risking passage of the CP. We [advised ATC] and we initiated a turn utilizing the [company] ETOPS procedures; announced our intentions on the CTAF/121.5; and completed the Diversion checklist on the back of the ETOPS checklist. KZAK processed us and cleared us Direct HNL.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Air carrier flight crew reported encountering adverse winds far different than forecasted. This resulted in having insufficient fuel at the required checkpoints. Flight crew elected to return to HNL.