By Robert Williamson | October 21, 2019 Estimated reading time 3 minutes, seconds.
In grand fashion, Gulfstream introduced its new flagship, the Gulfstream G700TM, on the eve of the NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.
After gathering a mix of potential customers and media members to Henderson Airport for an event shrouded in mystery, Gulfstream president Mark Burns took to the stage.
“I know what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” proclaimed Burns. “But I assure you that won’t be the case tonight with this great announcement.”
After a lengthy lead-in, Burns stepped aside and unveiled Gulfstream’s latest business jet, the G700. The announcement involved a video presentation, fog machines, strobe lights and, most importantly, a full scale mock-up of the aircraft. It’s an aircraft that Burns claims is ready for testing almost immediately.
“I think that’s a show worthy of the Vegas strip,” said Burns.
According to Gulfstream, the aircraft boasts the tallest, widest and longest cabin in the industry, with the capability to fly 7,500 nautical miles (nm) at Mach 0.85, or 6,400 nm at Mach 0.90.
“Simply put, the largest cabin in business aviation,” exclaimed Burns.
To cap off the unveiling of the new jet, Burns said that the G700 already has two buyers — launch customer Qatar Executive and Flexjet, the G700’s first North American customer.
“Qatar Executive demonstrated their confidence in Gulfstream when they committed as an international launch customer for the G500, which is in service with them now alongside the G650ER,” said Burns. “We are grateful they have chosen to continue growing their Gulfstream fleet with our new flagship G700, and look forward to their customers travelling in the utmost comfort on the largest business jet in the industry.”
Gulfstream’s deal with Qatar involves the purchase of 10 G700 aircraft, before the aircraft has logged its first flight.
“Flexjet’s customers have become accustomed to the unparalleled Gulfstream cabin experience,” said Burns. “The G700 perfectly complements their existing Gulfstream fleet and combines the best of what we do — performance, innovation and comfort — with the largest cabin in the industry and the most advanced technology.”
Gulfstream has already accomplished nearly 14,000 hours of lab testing on the G700, and anticipates customer deliveries in 2022.
