Gulfstream G650: 15 Years of Elegance and Speed

November 25 marked the 15th anniversary of one of the world's best business jets, the Gulfstream G650, created by the American company Gulfstream Aerospace. On this day in Savannah, Georgia, USA, its first prototype took to the skies.

The aircraft was developed with the intent to introduce a luxurious business jet to the market, offering the capabilities of a long-haul airliner and targeting demanding and extremely wealthy owners. Its base price was set at over $64 million.

The Gulfstream G650 was equipped with two Rolls-Royce BR725 turbofan engines, each with a maximum thrust of nearly 7,700 kgf. It measured 30.4 m in length, had a wingspan of 30.35 m, a maximum takeoff weight of 45,200 kg, a top speed of 980 km/h, and a range of up to 13,000 km. The highly comfortable passenger cabin could accommodate up to 19 people.

Building upon the G650, a whole family of aircraft was created, including the G700 and G800 models. Their capabilities were further enhanced—for instance, the Gulfstream G800 boasts a flight range of 15,000 km. The concept of the jet proved entirely successful. Combining high speed and range with the comfort of a luxury ocean yacht, it captured the admiration of numerous ultra-wealthy customers. By mid-2024, more than 600 aircraft in this family had been built, and the number of orders exceeded 2,000.

Gulfstreams are justifiably called "jets for billionaires." Among those who frequently travel on them are Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg. These aircraft are also used by major corporations, members of royal families, heads of state, and law enforcement agencies, with operators in at least 40 countries. The majority of users are registered in the United States.