On May 15, 2024, just over a month after receiving certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Gulfstream Aerospace announced that the latest addition to its product range, the ultra-long range G700 business jet, has also now been awarded the necessary approvals from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The G700 is the largest and fastest aircraft in the Gulfstream family to date, though it will eventually be surpassed by the larger G800 which is still under development. Designed to carry up to 19 passengers, the G700 has a top speed of Mach 0.935 and a range of up to 7,750 nautical miles (14,353km) when cruising at Mach 0.85. Each aircraft has a price tag in the region of $75 million.
“The Gulfstream team is proud to add EASA to our growing G700 certification accomplishments,” said Mark Burns, President of Gulfstream Aerospace. “During the flight test program, we took the G700 across the globe, and the response to the aircraft’s cabin size, flexibility, and performance has been outstanding. This EASA certification unlocks G700 deliveries for many more of our international customers, and we are excited to see our next-generation fleet grow around the world.”
“We appreciate the support and partnership of the EASA G700 certification team in reaching this achievement,” Burns added.
The Gulfstream G700 was initially launched at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2019, just prior to the COVID pandemic outbreak. The aircraft is effectively a stretched version of the successful Gulfstream G50 and it originally had a projected maximum range of 7,500 nautical miles (13,890km). The cockpit was shared with the previous Gulfstream models, G500 and G600.
However, since its official launch, the G700 has undertaken a lengthy period of flight testing through its certification process. During 2021, the G700 set a speed record while flying between Gulfstream Aerospace’s plant in Savannah, Georgia to Doha in Qatar and then from Doha to Paris. The aircraft completed these two demonstration flights in 13 hours and six minutes, and six hours and 15 minutes respectively – both records for the fastest flight between the stated cities at that point.
Following additional fight testing, Gulfstream declared that the G700 had displayed other significant performance improvements, including a range increase of 250 nautical miles (463km), bringing the type’s maximum range to 7,750 nautical miles (14,353km).
In addition, the G700’s FAA certification process confirmed two additional performance improvements, offering customers greater flexibility and airport availability, with a required takeoff distance of 5,995 ft (1,829m) and a landing distance of 3,150 ft (960 m) – both distances shorter than those originally announced.
According to Gulfstream Aerospace, the G700 features “the most spacious cabin in business aviation and includes options for a grand suite with an expanded lavatory or the industry’s largest ‘ultra-galley’. It can be configured with up to five living areas and features whisper-quiet noise levels, 20 Gulfstream Panoramic Oval Windows, and 100% fresh, never recirculated air.”
In April 2024, Phebe Novakovic, Chairman and CEO of Gulfstream parent General Dynamics, announced that the Savannah-based aircraft manufacturer would hand over between 50 and 52 of the 7,700-nm jets by the end of 2024. It has already delivered two aircraft to their new owners, and Qatar Executive, the business jet division of Qatar Airways will hold a special ceremony for its first G700 on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH).
Gulfstream now advises that the first 20 G700s are ready for delivery to customers, with another seven or eight of the twinjets to be delivered in June 2024. The manufacturer is aiming for 13 G700 deliveries per quarter in the coming years, in response to the higher-than-expected demand for the ultra-long-range capabilities of the G700.