GULFSTREAM FAMILY KEEPS ON GROWING

Savannah-based Gulfstream Aerospace Corp has introduced two aircraft to its rapidly growing business jet family; the G800, which will fly further and faster than any aircraft in the company’s history; and the smaller all-new G400, which will be the company’s first new entrant to the large-cabin class for more than a decade.

The revelation of these aircraft came on the eve of the NBAA-BACE in October, when Gulfstream unveiled the two to an excited live audience at its Savannah headquarters, in parallel with a global virtual broadcast via its website, Facebook and YouTube. The exclusive event featured a virtual tour of the new G400 and a live reveal of the first G800.

Mark Burns, President Gulfstream, said: “For more than six decades, Gulfstream has led the business aviation industry with our commitment to continuous improvement and by consistently setting new standards for safety, performance, innovation and comfort. 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.”

The two aircraft are the final pieces in the Gulfstream family jigsaw, but came as a surprise so soon after the reveal of the G700, which is currently still in testing, with deliveries expected to begin next year. According to Burns, the company has long planned these additions to the family of aircraft, creating two main branches, which would allow them to grow by taking advantage of the synergies of design, certification, manufacturing and servicing. The two branches are defined by the larger G650 platform, which is the basis for the G700 and G800; and the smaller aircraft in the large cabin segment, consisting of the G400, G500 and G600. These two new aircraft complete the company’s long-term vision, for now.

The G800 redefines what it means to go farther faster in a Gulfstream and offers even more time savings with its impressive range at high speed.

As well as the investment in design and manufacturing, with these new models, Gulfstream is planning an investment into their service provision. With a stated desire to be the service provider for every Gulfstream in the air, the push has started, with the building a new facility at Fort Worth, set to open in Spring of 2022, as well as the expansion of the customer showroom at its Savannah-based worldwide headquarters to include the all-new Gulfstream G400. The innovative G400 experience features a full-size mock-up of the aircraft, immersive multimedia content and an interior design display.

With a price tag of a cool US$71.5 million, G800 customer deliveries are anticipated to begin in 2023, while first deliveries of the G400, priced at US$34.5m, are not expected until 2025.

The G800 – Gulfstream’s Longest-Range Aircraft

The G800 offers customers the longest range in the Gulfstream fleet with its 8,000-nautical-mile/14,816-kilometre range at Mach 0.85 and 7,000nm/12,964km range at Mach 0.90. This sees Gulfstream taking back the top ranking, in terms of range, from Bombardier’s Global 7500. Powered by high-thrust Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines and the Gulfstream-designed wing and winglet introduced on the Gulfstream G700, the G800 also features enhanced fuel-efficiency and more city-pair capabilities.

“We designed the ultralong-range G800 to extend our customers’ reach to more people and places around the world,” said Burns. “The G800 redefines what it means to go farther faster in a Gulfstream and offers even more time savings with its impressive range at high speed.”

For more than six decades, Gulfstream has led the business aviation industry with our commitment to continuous improvement and by consistently setting new standards for safety, performance, innovation and comfort.

The G800 is designed to seat up to 19 passengers and offers up to four living areas or three living areas with a crew compartment. It also features the signature Gulfstream Cabin Experience with 100% fresh, never recirculated air, whisper-quiet noise levels, industry-leading low cabin altitude and 16 Gulfstream panoramic oval windows.

G800 in numbers

Performance

Maximum range 8,000nm /14816km at Mach 0.85
Maximum range 7,000nm/12,964km at Mach 0.90
Maximum Mach 0.925C
Cabin altitude – 2,916ft/889m at 41,000ft/ 12,497m

Cabin

Up to 3 Living Areas with Crew Compartment or 4 Living Areas
Seats Up to 19
Sleeps Up to 10
16 Gulfstream panoramic oval windows
Finished Cabin Height 6 ft 3 in | 1.91 m
Finished Cabin Width 8 ft 2 in | 2.49 m
Cabin Length (excluding baggage) 46 ft 10 in | 14.27 m
Total Interior Length 53 ft 7 in | 16.33 m
Cabin Volume 2,138 cu ft | 60.54 cu m
Baggage Compartment Volume 195 cu ft | 5.52 cu m

G400 – New Large-Cabin Leader

Slotted in the niche between the super-midsize G280 and the large cabin G500, Gulfstreams’s new G400 will compete directly for market share with Bombardier’s Challenger 650, but at a price that will ensure it is not encroaching on the market demand for its own existing models. According to Gulfstream, the all-new G400 offers a combination of long-range, high-speed performance; cabin comfort; and environmental efficiency unrivaled in its class.

It offers improved environmental performance by reducing fuel consumption, emissions and noise through its use of Gulfstream’s aerodynamic clean-wing design and advanced Pratt & Whitney PW812GA engines. The aircraft will fly 4,200nm/7,778km at its long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85. Three floorplans are offered, with options for seating up to nine, 11, or 12 passengers, and the G400 provides the signature Gulfstream Cabin Experience and 10 Gulfstream panoramic oval windows.

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.

“The G400 was conceived and designed with direct customer input. It features revolutionary reliability and safety features we pioneered with our award-winning Symmetry Flight Deck and the largest cabin in its class, making it an outstanding addition to our next-generation fleet,” said Burns. “The aircraft re-envisions this market segment with its maximum operational flexibility and enhanced cabin comfort.”