The reason to dump fuel is to get the plane below its max landing weight. Larger planes have a higher max takeoff weight than the max landing weight. So if the flight has to return shortly after takeoff they have not yet burned enough fuel to get below the landing weight, so if the aircraft has the ability to dump fuel they will prior to landing.
The 737 doesn't have fuel dump capability, we determine how urgently the aircraft needs to land. If we can burn fuel to get below landing weight, great, if we need to land urgently then we just land heavy and have maintenance inspect the airplane.
Same on the 767 which does have fuel dump ability. They will dump to get below landing weight if able, but if they need to land urgently then they will land heavy if required, depending on the nature of the problem.
I hope that makes sense.
Last edited by Ryan Coke; 08-31-2017 at 10:30 PM.
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