GULFSTREAM LEAVES THE INDUSTRY IN AWE

Built on the company’s decades-long investment in research and development, the G700, the best ever in the ultra long-range jets, is being called the harbinger of a new era for Gulfstream as well as that of the private aviation sector

- Ayushee chaudhary

THE PRIVATE AVIATION INDUSTRY WAS TAKEN BY STORM LAST month when Gulfstream’s new flagship model was revealed. Being claimed as the tallest, widest and longest cabin jet aircraft in the industry, the $75 million jet has broken remarkable records. The three records were earlier held by the Bombardier Global 7500. The G700 was dramatically unveiled on the eve of annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Business Aviation Convention Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport from October 22 to 24, 2019, making it a historical night to be remembered for the private aviation industry. A full-scale mockup of the G700 was disclosed during the event and a video of the aircraft was shown where the aircraft was taxing under its own power at the Gulfstream headquarters in Savannah.

Result of extensive testing that included 14,000 hours in the lab and five different test vehicles, the G700’s cabin length is 56 feet and 11 inches, not including a 195-cubic-foot baggage area and it stands six feet and three inches high, measuring eight feet and two inches wide. In 2022, the company expects to start fulfilling orders to Qatar as well as Flexjet that was confirmed as the first North American customer. Qatar Airways which was announced formally as the launch customer of the aircraft had secured 10 orders for the airline’s Executive Division. The order units for Flexjet remained undisclosed.