Aircraft Prices Reach US$ 75 million: G700 Becomes Gulfstream's Newest Flagship Private Jet
Aircraft manufacturer Gulfstream has launched the G700 which will be their flagship for the private jet market. This aircraft will be the largest private jet on the market.
“The Gulfstream G700 takes the best elements of our most innovative products and combines them with cutting-edge advances to create a technologically advanced aircraft that delivers safety, comfort and range at speed,” said Gulfstream President Mark Burns at National Business Aviation Association Convention and Exhibition 2019 in Las Vegas on Monday 21 October 2019 when the plane was first launched.
The jet can operate on short runways as well as high altitudes and is the culmination of nearly 14,000 hours of testing combining five test aircraft into one production jet. The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines.
The G700 has the tallest, widest and longest cabin in the private jet industry. Cabin length is 56 feet and 11 inches, not including the 195 cubic foot trunk area. It was six feet and three inches tall, and eight feet and two inches wide. This expansive specification allows the jet to accommodate up to 19 passengers and sleep up to 10.
There's also an optional six-place dining area that doubles as a conference room, which can be used with Jet ConneX Ka-band WiFi.
Other luxury amenities include a circadian lighting system around the aircraft that creates the feel of sunrise and sunset through white and yellow LED lights. Plane makers claim this can reduce jet lag after long flights.
“Gulfstream has a long tradition of listening to our customers, and the G700 cabin is an evolution of that collaboration,” said Burns.
Qatar Airways, which already owns 11 Gulfstream aircraft and ordered 10 G700s for use in its Qatar Executive private jet services business.
“We are thrilled to be the launch customer for the G700, the industry's largest business jet, and look forward to the aircraft joining our fleet,” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said in a statement.
“Qatar Executive customers have very high standards, and this aircraft will help us meet those requirements by delivering unrivaled performance that complements our excellence in customer service.”
Flexjets is the G700's first customer in North America with an undisclosed number of units ordered.
Reuters reported that the price of one plane reached US$ 75 million. The range of the best-in-class aircraft can fly 7.5000 nautical miles at Mach 0.85, or 6.4000 nautical miles at Mach 0.90. Gulfstream claims the G700's ability to fly at Mach 0.90 will help owners save money on maintenance, parts and crew. For buyers who have already ordered, deliveries of the G700 will begin in 2022.
