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The Gulfstream G700 is the latest ultra-long range business jet from Gulfstream Aerospace. G700, Gulfstream's flagship aircraft is the top of the line in private aviation. It is set to redefine global, high-altitude, supersonic business travel.

In this complete review, we will explore the history, specifications, features, operating costs, competitors and value proposition of the G700 in detail. Let's get started!

History and Development

Gulfstream has a long history of designing exceptional long-range jets for the private and business aviation markets. For decades, The G700 marks the latest chapter in this narrative of innovation.

As a reminder, the timeline below indicates particular milestones along the G700's pathway from imagination to certification:

  • October 2014 - Gulfstream begins early design work on an ultra-long range flagship jet, setting performance targets of 7,500 nautical mile range and Mach 0.90 speed.
  • October 2018 - The G700 program is officially launched at an NBAA event. Gulfstream touts the aircraft as the "longest range business jet ever built."
  • February 2019 - The G700 rolls out with a fully outfitted test interior, showcasing an exceptionally spacious and luxurious cabin.
  • October 2019 - The G700 makes its first flight, validating design targets and flight characteristics.
  • June 2020 - Gulfstream starts real-world testing of the G700 with a crew circumnavigating North and South America.
  • November 2021 - After extensive flight testing, the FAA awards Gulfstream with full Type and Production Certification for the G700.
  • March 2022 - The first customer G700 is delivered, making it available to buyers after 7+ years in development.

That wait from idea to certified plane has been a long road but one that showcases the Gulfstream commitment to matching design with what they believe is the next standard in global elite travel.

G700 new long range private jet above the sea 

Specifications

According to the manufacturer, the Gulfstream G700 has some of the highest performance and range characteristics among any business jet. Take a look at the main technical specifications:

Physical Dimensions

  • Length: 108 ft 7 in (33.02 m)
  • Wingspan: 104 ft 10 inches (31.92 m)
  • Height: 25 ft 6 in (7.77 m)
  • Cabin Length: 63'707' (19.38 m)
  • Cabin Width: 2.49 m (8 ft 2 in)
  • The Height of the Cabin: 6ft2in (1.88m)

Performance

  • Maximum Cruise Speed: Mach 0.925 (691 mph)
  • Long-Range/High-Speed Endurance: 6,400 nm (11,853 km)
  • Cruising speed at a distance: Mach 0.85 (566 mph)
  • Maximum Range: 7,500 nm / 13,890 km
  • Climb Rate: 2814 ft / min (855 m / min)
  • Maximum Operational Altitude: 51,000ft (15,545m)

Powerplant

  • Engines: 2 Rolls-Royce Pearl 700
  • Thrust: 18,250 lbf (81.2 kN) each engine

Weights

  • Max Takeoff Weight: 107,600 lb (48,800 kg)
  • Basic Operating Weight: ~48,200 lb (21,910 kg)
  • Max Payload: 7,500 lb (3,400 kg)
  • Max Fuel Capacity: 44,200 lb (20,077 kg)

Avionics

  • Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck
  • Honeywell Primus Epic avionics
  • Enhanced vision system (EVS III)
  • Gulfstream PlaneConnect broadband connectivity

Broadband connectivity from PlaneConnect® for Gulfstream aircraft

This is all just a taste of the actual heavy lifting inherent in the G700 airframe and systems. Such combinations of range, speed and comfort to name few besides tech makes it an alluring offering.

Design Features

The G700 also features advanced aerodynamics and interior spaces designed to improve the flying experience in addition to some impressive performance specs.

Wing Design The Gulfstream design employs the company's signature high aspect-ratio, low-sweep-wing architecture in the G700. The lengthened wing allows for greater surface area — providing increased lift and fuel capacity. Another design feature aiming at drag reduction and overall aerodynamic efficiency is the advanced winglet concept.

Cabin Design It has nearly 1,500 cu. and a generous 3,800 sq. The more-than-63-foot cabin enables up to five living areas of personalized configurations. Natural light floods in through Gulfstream's signature oval windows. The cabin architecture ensures minimum noise and vibration for peaceful calm encapsulation ambience.

G700 private jet interior passengers 

Flight Deck The G700 features the most up-to-date version of Gulfstream's Symmetry Flight Deck.

Four large high-definition touchscreen displays provide critical flight data to pilots in an intuitive format. Active control sidesticks improve ergonomics and safety. Enhanced vision technology and synthetic vision systems aid situational awareness, even in poor weather.

This was an aircraft that had been designed from the ground-up for endurance, which in turn undeniably benefited its future technologies thanks to their inclusion of design principles (very often cutting-edge ones) expressing early on all three specifications–aerodynamics, cabin comfort, and flight systems.

Cabin Comfort and Configuration

This is a new type of space, comfort and personalization on board for the passenger. Now lets take a closer look at the tarp interior and its features.

Interior Layout Interior designers have almost 63 feet of cabin length to play with, allowing them room to customize living spaces as owners see fit. Layouts may include some of the following:

  • Master with private stateroom and en-suite lavatory
  • Various conference, dining, entertainment and relaxation zones
  • Crew Break Room for flights over past 12+ hours
  • Medical suite exclusively for Doctor & Patients

Convenient to prepare meals in forward, mid, and aft galleys. At the same time, countless lavatories and abundant stowage for baggage take care of passenger necessities.

Seating Arrangements There are various seating arrangements available for the G700.

  • VIP layout: 12 to 16 passengers
  • Conference grouping: 10 – 12 Individuals
  • Dining setup: 8 passengers
  • Entertaining layout: 4 to 6 passenger

Double club seats provide for easy conferencing of couples or colleagues. Fluid socializing with individual swiveling chair and ottomans The options are almost limitless.

Sleeping Accommodations It is imperative to be able to sleep well on ultra-long-haul flights. The G700 cabin is big enough to fit up to 10 passengers sleeping on fully lie-flat beds, such as:

  • Included Double bed in private stateroom
  • 6 additional lie-flat seats
  • Divan opposite the stateroom
  • Crew rest area with 3 beds

Thanks to Gulfstream's trademark cabin soundproofing, passengers arrive refreshed.

Luxury Amenities With the G700, inflight dud gives a whole neo-level. Passengers can enjoy:

  • Full prep galley with convection oven, microwave, refrigeration and dishwasher
  • Multi-display 4K home theater with surround sound
  • Touchscreen-based integrated cabin management and lighting control
  • Bathroom of a spa, and with all the high-end fixtures and frosted stone$ tablesKa-band satellite network for High-speed internet connectivity
  • Almost 6-foot-tall stand-up cabin height for ultimate comfort

The G700 is an oasis of productivity and relaxation, whether enjoying gourmet meals during flight or watching the latest blockbuster, or in a meeting.

With tons of room, bespoke layouts and superlative decor, the G700 is a luxury travel experience all its own.

Advanced Technology

Beneath its good looks lies a wellspring of technology that makes flights safer, easier to operate and passenger-cockpit integrated comfort, in the impressively capable Gulfstream G700.

Symmetry Flight Deck It includes Gulfstream's award-winning Symmetry Flight Deck supported by active control sidesticks and Honeywell Primus Epic avionics.

Essential flight information is presented in an intuitive format to pilots on four large high-definition touchscreen displays. Symmetry layout that optimizes pilot comfort and minimizes workload. For yoke-and-rudder pedal pilots there is also an upgraded set of conventional controls.

Enhanced Vision System Honeywell's EVS IIIAn high-tech Enhanced Vision System (EVS III) from Honeywell employs an infrared camera that provides pilots with a clear picture of their surroundings even under low-visibility conditions. Synthetic vision technology projects terrain and obstacles based on GPS information directly onto the primary flight display. These disparate systems collectively enhance situational awareness and safety tremendously.

Connectivity Connectivity inflight is made possible through Gulfstream's PlaneConnect service, which delivers streaming data to customers.

Broadband-quality internet across the cabin via a high-speed Ka-band satellite network, allowing for video conferencing, media streaming and more. Along with cabin options, the entertainment can also be accessed wirelessly.

Safety Systems It has advanced auto-throttle system, predictive wind shear detection radar, automatic descent mode and much more automation to reduce pilot workload.

It even includes dual flight control surfaces, avionics & power sources to provide redundancy if any one of these systems were to fail. Safety: Gulfstream knows they cannot buy the trust of a customer so safety is their simplest and best method for ensuring confident feelings towards brand.

Cabin Management The Cabin Management System provides more control to passengers in the cabin with many configurable features Scene presets from or using personal devices, temperature zones and sliding shades and lighting, get all adjusted through personal devices or touch screens. Lighting is also calibrated automatically to the weather outside.

Materials and Craftsmanship The G700 interior features hand-crafted woodwork, stone flooring and metal inlays, all of which scream quality. More than 70 samples are evaluated by Gulfstream throughout the design process to test whether every material is strong enough for what it will endure while also looking good. As for the cabin, it uses loads of sound-deadening finishes to up quietness. That kind of consideration equates to an incredibly polished inflight experience with the G700.

The G700 is the ultimate luxury travel machine and it rewrote the long-range, high-speed rule book. In doing so, it sets a new business aviation standard for holistic integration of advanced avionics; passenger comforts and amenities; and connectivity, safety and other systems. For some, the Gulfstream hallmarks of quality alone make enough of a case for the purchase.

Operating Costs

But flying the Gulfstream G700 comes with a big price tag, commensurate with its impressive capabilities. However, for people that appreciate the freedom and efficiency made possible through private long-distance travel, the cost is perhaps a reasonable one. Now, take a look at some of the major costs of operation.

Fuel Costs The G700 has a range of 7,500 nm, so there would be much jet fuel that is burnt in its operations. It burns fuel at an average rate of about 400 gallons (1,600 liters) per hour.

Please note that on a 10 hour New York to London flight, total fuel burn would be around 4,000 gallons at current jet fuel prices means this is about $16,000. Operators trying to save a dime will fly at more economical long-range cruise speeds around Mach 0.85, decreasing consumption further.

private jet G700 real cost to opperate 

Maintenance Expenses A G700 is a large, complex aircraft and supporting one does not come cheap. Annual inspection, normal maintenance and reserve cost of the engine will run anywhere between $400,000 to $600,000 a year.

It costs up to $1million for major inspections approximately every 4-5 years. Although the latest engines need far less attention than older power plants –– every 10,000 to 20,000 miles or so among modern cars –– parts and labor are pricey.

Aircraft Management and Crew The largest cohort of G700 owners use professional management firms to operate their jets. In addition to personnel costs, management fees for the G700 could be between $70,000 and upwards of $100,000 per year.

Full-time, professional crew are not a requirement here, of course. But they do maximize both safety and the experience of your travels.

Insurance Coverage For example, even a $75 million asset can cost hundreds of thousands (more than $250k/year) in premiums to insure. Coverage takes into account the aircraft worth, benefits, geographical operation limits, and a lot more. Due to the complexity of the G700, many insurers insist on pilots with thousands of hours in large-cabin jets to fly it.

Depreciation However, business jet values continue to fluctuate with the vagaries of global economics and supply/demand inventory; most aircraft lose 10-20% in value annually as new models enter service. Top-rated Gulfstream aircraft have steady demand, so this depreciation affects the G700 less. That said, owners should still expect the resale value to erode over time.

 

Final Thoughts

The G700 isn't exactly cheap.

It'll set you back a pretty penny to operate but, similar to the Kestrel, affords many individuals and businesses around the world with capabilities that can justify the cost. All of these factors should be part of a total ownership experience that operators need to weigh in on.