On October 21, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation formally announced Qatar Airways as the launch customer for its recently introduced flagship, the Gulfstream G700, for the airline’s charter service, Qatar Executive.

In addition to Qatar Executive’s recent orders of all-new Gulfstream G500 and high-performing G650ER aircraft, Qatar’s latest agreement with Gulfstream is for the purchase of ten G700 aircraft. Including six G650ERs and five G500s, eleven Gulfstream aircraft are currently in service with Qatar Executive. The executive charter service is already the first commercial the charter operator of the G500 and also the world’s largest commercial operator of the G650ER.

Powered by two Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, the G700 can fly 7,500 nautical miles/13,890 km at Mach 0.85 or 6,400 nm/11,853 km at Mach 0.90. Rolls-Royce’s Pearl 700 becomes the second member of the Pearl family and powers the brand new Gulfstream G700, featuring the most advanced propulsion system in the business aviation industry.

Being flaunted as business aviation’s largest cabin capable of flying farther and faster than any competitor in the business-jet industry, the G700 also features the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck with the active control side sticks and the most extensive use of touch-screen technology in the industry.

Claimed to be the tallest, widest and longest cabin in the industry, the G700 cabin also offers an extra-large ultra-galley (than 10 feet of counter space) with lounge or crew compartment, up to five living areas, a six-place dining or conference table, an extra-large refrigerator and a large, bespoke master bedroom with en suite master bath with a shower and wardrobe closet. An all-new, Gulfstream-developed revolutionary circadian lighting system that can recreate sunrise and sunset across time zones is another highlight feature of this aircraft. The aircraft also promotes in-flight wellness with its 20 panoramic windows and the Gulfstream cabin environment of 100 per cent fresh air, low cabin altitude, and whisper-quiet sound levels. There are many advanced technologies that come with the G700 to set a new standard in cabin comfort and design. With an expected debut in 2022, Gulfstream’s new G700 will be capable of cruising at just under the speed of sound.

While unveiling the G700, Gulfstream also made the announcement of Flexjet as its first North American fleet customer for the Gulfstream G700. The aircraft will join Flexjet’s growing fleet of Gulfstream aircraft, including the Gulfstream G650ER, Gulfstream G500, and Gulfstream G450.

Gulfstream is making an attempt to reclaim bragging rights as the builder of the world’s biggest private jet.

With the introduction of such a technologically advanced business jet, Gulfstream has taken the business aviation industry a notch higher and the choice of Qatar as the launch customer signifies how a globally influential airline is fairly optimising the business aviation aspect and effectively integrating the same in the overall scheme of its business.