The G300: Gulfstream’s quiet defence against Bombardier’s Challenger 3500
October 1, 2025
For years, Bombardier’s Challenger 3500 has dominated the super midsize business jet market, winning over fractional ownership fleets, corporate operators, and private owners alike. Its blend of range, cabin comfort, and sustainability credentials has made it the benchmark since its 2021 debut.
Now Gulfstream has responded with the G300 — not a headline-grabbing flagship, but a carefully judged move to defend its flank.
The G300 replaces Gulfstream’s long-serving G280, bringing the super midsize jet in line with the company’s modern portfolio. More than a technical upgrade, it’s a brand reset: dropping the “280” moniker that dated back to the Israel Aerospace Galaxy and repositioning the aircraft against Bombardier’s Challenger 3500.
What’s changed from the G280 to the new G300?
For years, the G280 carried the flag in the super midsize category, while Gulfstream’s development focus shifted to its larger G500, G600, and G700 families. With the G300, the company is modernising its midsize offering and bringing the branding in line with the rest of the portfolio.
Compared to the G280, the G300 offers a quieter, more connected cabin, with Gulfstream’s latest interior design language, including larger oval windows, advanced cabin management systems, and improved ergonomics.
The flight deck benefits from updated avionics and enhanced connectivity, while efficiency refinements allow for lower emissions and full compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel.
Perhaps most importantly, the new name aligns the aircraft with Gulfstream’s broader family branding, a deliberate move to retire the “280” badge and reposition the jet directly against Bombardier’s Challenger 3500.
Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Gulfstream G300
The heart of the story is the comparison with Bombardier’s Challenger 3500. On paper, both jets target the same high-value niche:
- Performance: The Challenger 3500 offers a range of around 3,400 nm, while the G300 is expected to post comparable figures, balancing transcontinental reach with midsize efficiency.
- Cabin: Bombardier has leaned on luxury — sustainable materials, advanced seating, cabin automation. Gulfstream’s counter emphasises quietness, connectivity, and signature oval windows for a lighter, more open cabin environment.
- Sustainability: Both aircraft are marketed as SAF-ready, with Bombardier making carbon neutrality a key talking point. Gulfstream is highlighting efficiency gains without over-promising.
- Positioning: The Challenger 3500 has become the darling of NetJets and other fractional players. The G300 will likely appeal to Gulfstream’s loyal base while giving operators fresh reasons not to defect to Bombardier.
This is not an arms race of range or speed, but of refinement — small margins that matter greatly to buyers in the segment.
More than conquest sales, the G300 looks like a retention tool. Gulfstream has hundreds of customers operating G200s and G280s. Without the G300, many of those owners risked migrating to Bombardier for their next aircraft. Now, Gulfstream has a mid-tier offering that keeps them in the family.
The biggest wildcard will be fractional ownership. NetJets is historically a key Gulfstream partner, but has leaned heavily into Bombardier in the midsize space. If the G300 can secure fleet deals here, it could quickly reshape the balance of power.
