Gulfstream unveils longest-range business jet

Dhaka: Gulfstream Aerospace announced two new business jets on October 4 during a gala event at its corporate headquarters in Savannah, Ga. In front of hundreds of clients, Gulfstream executives and employees, as well as media, the aircraft manufacturer previewed its new G800 and G400.

“Today marks a major milestone and investment in our company’s future with the introduction of the G800, our fastest, longest-range aircraft yet, and the G400, the industry’s first new large-cabin aircraft in more than a decade,” said Gulfstream President Mark Burns, who served as the event’s emcee.

The G800 will eventually replace the G650ER. It will have an 8,000-nautical-mile range at Mach 0.85 and 7,000-nautical-mile range at Mach 0.90, with a flight ceiling of 51,000 feet. Flight tests should begin by the end of this year. The first G800, priced at USD 71.5 million, is expected to be delivered to customers in 2024.

The jet will be powered by the same Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 turbofan engines as the G700, while sharing that aircraft’s wing, tail and winglet. But it will have the same fuselage as the G650ER. The G800 will be able to seat up to 19 passengers and sleep 10 across four living areas. It is also available with three living areas and a crew compartment.

The other bookend of Gulfstream’s large-cabin family, positioned between the super-midsized G280 and G500, is the G400. Burns said the USD 34.5 million jet has the largest cabin in its class and will be the entry-level product in Gulfstream’s large-cabin family of the G500, G600, G650ER and G700.

G400 deliveries are expected to begin in 2025.