Gulfstream G700: the biggest private jet

Although the pandemic has forever changed the way we fly around the world, private jet manufacturers are invariably introducing new models to their range. Perhaps in order to reach the customers who have enough money to fly their own jets and abandon flying on scheduled planes forever. One of the new offerings is the aircraft to which I will devote my today’s entry, the Gulfstream G700. 

For many years, the Gulfstream G650 has set the sky-high trends. To date, the flagship (or rather aircraft) in the Gulfstream range is not only luxurious, but also has great flight characteristics. It has a range of more than 7,500 miles (over 12,000 km), which means the aircraft can cover the entire Pacific Ocean in a single flight. What’s more, it’s a very fast machine – in 2017, one of these planes covered the New York-Tokyo route (11,000 km) in 12 hours and 40 minutes. The maximum cruising altitude is 15,500m.

However, the king – a favourite of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos – has been dethroned. Its successor has just debuted: the $75 million G700 with a range of up to 7,500 nautical miles, on two Rolls Royce Pearl 700 engines. It is the American manufacturer’s most expensive aircraft to date.

The G700 is currently on a demonstration route, which began with a 13-hour flight from Georgia to Doha. The aircraft is expected to receive the relevant certifications in 2022. The first unit was purchased and taken delivery of by Qatar Executive; more is in the pipeline.

The G700 has the widest and highest passenger cabin of any private jet, allowing up to 5 separate living areas, depending on the owner’s needs. Gulfstream declares that a private suite with en-suite bathroom will be standard on all G700s. There is even a well-equipped kitchen.

The G700 will rival the Bombardier Global 7500 in the ultra-long-range widebody jet category.