Charter a Gulfstream Private Jet

Aircraft manufacturer Gulfstream - officially Gulfstream Aerospace - is a respected American business jet manufacturer with their headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. Gulfstream is a wholly owned subsidiary of the defence contractor General Dynamics, whose shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: GD). Gulfstream stands for "Made in USA" and also uses so-called completion centres in Wisconsin, Georgia, Texas and California for parts of the final production of its luxurious private jets.

Based on a twin-engine military transport aircraft, Gulfstream's predecessor company Grumman Aerospace Corporation worked on the development of a new class of business jets from the late 1940s. Beginning in 1959, the Grumman Gulfstream I (G-159) was introduced to the market and sold about 200 times over the next 10 years. The Gulfstream I marked the beginning of the company's rise to become a respected player in business aviation. Today, Gulfstream is considered the world's largest manufacturer of business jets, ahead of Bombardier.

Comparable to its competitor Bombardier, Gulfstream's aircraft families also cover a broad spectrum: the fleet covers ranges between 6,667 and 13,890 kilometres and comfortably seats up to 13 passengers, depending on the configuration. US billionaires Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Elon Musk as well as Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo are avowed Gulfstream customers and fans of the exclusive jets.

Chartering a Gulfstream private jet: Key data of the aircraft manufacturer

• Prestigious American company with over 60 years of experience in the manufacture of technologically advanced private jets
• Subsidiary of the defence contractor General Dynamics
• More than 2,000 aircraft manufactured
• 8.075 billion USD aerospace segment revenue (2020)
• Approximately 13,000 employees (2020)
• The flagship G700 uses the Pearl 700 engine developed by Rolls-Royce Germany
• Parent company General Dynamics (GD) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, but shares are also traded on the major German stock exchanges.
• The most widely used fighter jet to date, the F-16, was developed by General Dynamics and manufactured until 1993.
• Winner of various "The International Yacht & Aviation Awards
  • 2021 Interior Design/VIP Completion (G500)
  • 2020 Seating (G700)
  • 2019 The Design Society Award (G650ER)
  • 2018 Private Jet Design (G600)
  • 2017 Private Jet Design (G650ER)
• Company Management: Mark L. Burns, (President)

Gulfstream's rise to become the world's leading private jet manufacturer

The first Gulfstream - officially Grumman Gulfstream I (GI) - was a turboprop and set new standards in the fledgling business jet segment. Delighted by its commercial success, the Grumman Gulfstream II was the first jet-powered business jet to be developed. The more powerful engine enabled higher cruising speeds and ranges. In 1975, there was no faster business jet.

Development of the Gulfstream III initially stalled due to a market downturn coupled with the jet's high base price. After a merger and subsequent takeover, it was continued under the company Gulfstream American. The aim of the project was to serve the increased market demands for more time-efficient business travel to increasingly distant destinations. When it was first delivered in 1980, Gulfstream again set standards: the GIII was the first business jet to fly over both poles.

Gulfstream set the next milestone in business aviation less than five years later: In order to be prepared for stricter international environmental regulations, the GVI was primarily concerned with increasing efficiency. This was achieved through the first use of a flight management system for computer-controlled flying. In addition to increasing fuel efficiency, it made work easier for the pilots. This was a novelty in civil aviation in the mid-1980s.

The corporate structure also remained dynamic: to raise capital for the GVI development, the company, renamed Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation in the meantime, went public. Not least because of its successful adaptation to a dynamic market environment, Gulfstream is considered the world's leading manufacturer of private jets. When Gulfstream was bought by defence contractor General Dynamics in 1999, the business jet manufacturer's market share was around 60 percent.

Today's Gulfstream Business Jet Portfolio

Currently, Gulfstream's fleet comprises 7 aircraft families:

• G700: The luxury flagship has been available since 2021 and promises the most spacious cabin of any business jet. First deliveries are scheduled for 2022.
• G650/G650ER: It is more time efficient to distant destinations than all competitors. The world record holder for the fastest circumnavigation of the earth has been in production since 2012.
• G600: The long-range jet introduced in 2014 is known for its technologically advanced cockpit "Symmetry Flight Deck". Up to 19 passengers fly comfortably and safely to distant destinations in the G600.
• G500: Easily recognisable by its aerodynamically shaped wings, the G500 seats up to 19 passengers in three living areas. The cabin is considered the most quiet in the business aviation industry.
• G550: Proven performance combined with a flexible configuration is what the G550 offers. Thanks to its high maximum payload for its class, it is also suitable for carrying heavy baggage or cargo.
• G280: The agile G280 can handle the most demanding scenarios, from short runways to poor visibility and high altitude airports. High-thrust engines and standard autothrottle and autobrake systems ensure a smooth flight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does a Gulfstream Business Jet cost?

The smallest Gulfstream Jet G280 is available used from around 12 million US dollars. New, the super-midsize jet costs around 25 million US dollars. The Gulfstream flagship, the G700, on the other hand, costs a whopping 75 million US dollars new, making it the world's most expensive private jet - as of 2021. The largest jet of the competitor Bombardier, the Global 7500, with a price of 73 million US dollars, is, however, priced in similar spheres.

How many business jets does Gulfstream Aerospace build per year?

From 2018 to 2020, Gulfstream delivered between 121 and 147 aircraft:

Where are Gulfstream jets built?

All aircraft families are manufactured at Gulfstream's headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. The installation of the cabin interior, the painting of the aircraft and the installation of the avionics are also carried out at the US sites in Appleton (Wisconsin), Brunswick (Georgia), Dallas (Texas) and Long Beach (California).

What engines are used in Gulfstream aircraft?

Gulfstream uses Honywell, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce engines in its fleet.