Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure; Weather
We had a very long flight to Airport ZZZ. We had nearly full tanks of gas; took off at maximum weight and still had very little extra fuel. We flew the flight exactly as planned; but fuel numbers slowly deteriorated over the 4+ hour flight. About three hours into the flight; we determined that we would land in ZZZ with minimum reserves. We queried ATC; dispatch; and the ACARS Econ Speeds page to verify that we were flying the most fuel efficient speed and altitude. All available data at the time showed that we would arrive in ZZZ with required fuel reserves. As we started the descent to ZZZ the numbers started to deteriorate further so we declared 'minimum fuel'. ATC said there would be no delays to ZZZ and with a lack of suitable alternates at that time; we determined it would be best to continue to ZZZ since we were half way down the arrival. About 60nm from ZZZ the FMS estimated landing with less than 2000 pounds of fuel; so we asked for priority and direct to the airport. ATC accommodated our request and we landed uneventfully; but with less than reserve fuel.
Passenger loads should be looked at with extreme detail and caution especially with a strong winter jet stream and perhaps dispatch should assign lower cruise altitudes if the headwinds aloft are extremely strong. Extra fuel needs to be added for west bound flights especially when flying against a strong jet stream.
ERJ-170 flight crew reported landing at destination with less than minimum reserve fuel on their four hour plus leg.