Gulfstream G800: Buyer’s and Investor’s Guide

Gulfstream unveiled its G800 alongside the new G400 on Monday October 4th 2021. Priced at $71.5m, deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2023. The two new arrivals bring the Savannah-based OEM’s large cabin family up to six aircraft.

Pros:

The Gulfstream G800 offers the longest range of any purpose-built business jet. It is capable of flying 8,000 nm (14,816 km) at Mach 0.85. Flying at Mach 0.90, the G800’s range is 7,000 nm (12,964 km) range at Mach 0.90.

Cons:

At $71.5m the G800 is slightly more expensive than the G650ER, list price $66.5m. But the new model has significantly longer range,

Flying:

The G800 boasts the class-leading range of 8,000 nm when flying its long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85. This is 500nm further than the G650ER, which at 7,500nm was the longest range of any business aircraft when announced back in 2013.

The G800 will also be able to fly 7,000 nm at a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90. At either speed, from New York, the G800 can offer nonstop links to Shanghai, Tahiti, Punta Arenas, Johannesburg, or Mumbai.

Power is supplied by two Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, which are rated at 18,250 pounds of thrust a piece, matching the powerplants on the G700. But compared with the G650ER’s BR725 engines, the 700s are 18% more fuel-efficient, claims Gulfstream.

Travelling:

The G800 will be able to seat up to 19 passengers and sleep 10 when outfitted with four living areas, or up to 15 passengers with three living areas and a crew compartment. Forward and aft lavatories and a galley for food preparation are included on both configurations. In comparison, the G650ER cabin can seat up to 18 passengers in a high-density configuration – although eight passengers is more typical.

The G800 retains the original interior dimensions of the G650ER: 53.6 ft length, 6.25 ft height, 8.2 ft width, and 2,138 cabin volume. The model retains the same 16 large oval cabin windows as its predecessor. It features the Gulfstream Cabin Experience with 100% fresh air, quiet noise levels, industry-leading low cabin altitude

The G800 will also have the same fuselage as the G650ER, but features a variety of elements found in the recently-announced G700.

Owning:

There is typically a hard market for the G650ER, which keeps resale values strong, particularly at a time of historic lows in inventories of pre-owned aircraft. Gulfstream is confident the G800 will match that performance. While the G800 is intended to replace the G650ER, Gulfstream, president, Mark Burns said 650ER will remain as a “value” aircraft in the OEM’s line-up. (The backlog for this model remains strong, to the point where production was ramped up in 2021 from earlier projections).

Industry view:

Hamish Harding, chairman Action Aviation, told Corporate Jet Investor: “I had been expecting an 8,000 nm model so that Gulfstream could regain the number one spot in terms of range from Bombardier’s Global 7500 which is now back to second place. I originally predicted a ‘G700ER’ but was told by Gulfstream insiders that this would never happen. Now, I can see why.”

Providing an upgraded G650ER-sized aircraft is a sensible move, added Harding. “It will capture the many customers who need the 8,000 nm range to fly the ultra-long ranges to Asia, India etc from USA or Europe. I see both the G700 and the G800 having attractions to different high-end buyers, who value either the range of the G800, or the extra cabin space of the G700.”

Steve Varsano, CEO at The Jet Business, thought the G800 “sounds like the aircraft to have” because it has the space offered by the G650 cross section and the height and speed.

On the flight deck:

Piloting the G800 will be almost the same as the G700. The G800 flight deck will be identical, including the Symmetry system, dual head-up displays with combined vision system and the predictive landing performance system.

Hard facts:

*Priced at $71.5m

*Deliveries expected to start 2023

*Range at Mach 0.85: 8,000 nm (14,816 km)

*Range at Mach 0.90: 7,000 nm (12,964 km)

*Passengers: Up to 19

*Power: two Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines

*Price: $71.5m

*Delivery date: 2023.

Introducing Gulfstream’s new $71.5m G800. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2023.