Gulfstream G800 business jet performs first flight

The Gulfstream G800 business jet has completed its first flight, marking the start of a flight test program.

The new G800 took off from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) on June 28, 2022, and successfully landed there after successfully performing a two-hour flight. The G800 jet made flight using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the company said.

Deliveries are expected to start in 2023.

“We have announced eight new aircraft in the past decade, strategically timed to capture market demand,” said Mark Burns, president at Gulfstream. “We are seeing great interest in the G800, and this first flight brings us even closer to delivering a Gulfstream for every mission.”

The Gulfstream G800 jet was launched in October 2021. The new aircraft is currently the world’s longest-range private jet with the capability to fly up to 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 kilometers) at Mach 0.85 (1041 kilometers per hour) and 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 kilometers) at the top speed of Mach 0.92 (1127 kilometers per hour).

Powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, the G800 is designed to accommodate up to 19 passengers and offers up to four living areas, or three living areas with a crew compartment.

“The G800 pushes the boundaries of performance even further with Gulfstream-designed aerodynamics and cabin technology, and we look forward to our customers benefiting from the longer range at higher speeds in our exceptional cabin environment,” Burns said.

The Gulfstream G800 is a direct competitor of the Bombardier Global 8000, which is set to enter commercial service in 2025. When developed, Bombardier’s Global 8000 business jet will be the world’s fastest jet with a capability to fly up to 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 kilometers) and reach the maximum speed of Mach 0.94 (1151 kilometers per hour).