Gulfstream G800 officially enters service as the world’s longest-range business jet
August 28, 2025
Gulfstream’s flagship G800 has officially entered service, with the first aircraft delivered on 27 August to an undisclosed customer.
The Savannah-based manufacturer plans to hand over 13 of the long-range, large-cabin business jets by the end of 2025.
The Gulfstream G800 is certified for record-breaking performance
The G800 received certification from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on 16 April.
Approvals confirmed its market-leading performance: a maximum range of 8,200 nm at Mach 0.85, the longest of any business jet, and 7,000 nm at Mach 0.90, with a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925.
It also carries short-field credentials, certified with a take-off distance of 5,812 ft and a landing distance of 3,105 ft under standard conditions, providing access to airports with more restrictive runways.
Building on the legacy of the G650
With production of the G650 now winding down following the final delivery of the aircraft type in the summer, the G800 will build on the G650’s legacy with even greater range, advanced technology and enhanced efficiency.
Initial deliveries are targeted at long-standing G650 customers. Mark Burns, Gulfstream president, said demand for the G800 has been “astounding,” adding,
“The G800 is entering service with extraordinary programme maturity, like the Gulfstream G700 before it.”
The aircraft’s capabilities are “remarkable,” Burns added, as he congratulated the 21,000 Gulfstream employees worldwide on “delivering another quality product from our next-generation family of aircraft.”
Awarded the International Yacht & Aviation Award for Private Jet Design earlier this year, the G800 has been designed to seat up to 19 passengers. It can be configured with up to four living areas, or with three and a dedicated crew compartment.
It features the industry’s lowest cabin altitude of 2,840 feet when flying at 41,000 ft, 100% fresh air in the cabin, a plasma ionisation air purification system and 16 Gulfstream Panoramic Oval Windows.
The G800’s flightpath to delivery
Announced in October 2021, the G800 first flew in June 2022 from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, completing a two-hour test flight on a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The jet made its European debut at EBACE 2023 in Geneva, again flying transatlantic on SAF.
Speaking at the time, Burns said, “The G800 presents a compelling combination of high-speed aerodynamics and fuel-efficient engines to decrease emissions and save flying time for customers.”
The flight-test programme expanded through 2023 and 2024 with multiple prototypes dedicated to systems testing, including avionics, environmental controls, and passenger interiors. In December 2024, Gulfstream flew the first G800 fitted with a complete cabin, focusing on interior systems and passenger comfort.
Following FAA and EASA approvals in April 2025, Burns praised the “expertise and rigour” of the certification teams, saying Gulfstream had “again exceeded expectations.”
G800 following in the wings of the G700
The delivery of the Gulfstream G800 to its first customer follows the 50th customer delivery of Gulfstream’s G700 in May this year. Following the “most rigorous certification programme in company history,” the G700 entered service in April 2024 and has seen strong demand since.
One of the biggest customers of the G700 is Qatar Executive, which currently has seven of the business jets.
With the G650 phased out, Gulfstream is now relying on the G700 and G800 to anchor its next-generation product family, combining extended range, cabin innovation, and programme maturity to compete with rivals such as Bombardier’s Global 7500 and 8000.
