G450 breaks Tokyo-Hong Kong speed record
A Gulfstream G450, large, long-range business jet, recently flew between Tokyo and Hong Kong in less than four hours, setting a new speed record for the route.
A Gulfstream G450 recently flew between Tokyo and Hong Kong in less than four hours, setting a new speed record for the route.
The large, long-range business jet took off from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport at 10.50 am local time on June 7, 2010; it landed 3 hours and 58 minutes later, at 1.48 pm local time at Hong Kong International Airport.
It flew 1,950 miles (3,137 km/1,694 nautical miles) at an average speed of 647 miles per hour (1,041 kmph/Mach 0.85), despite the pilots saying that they needed to fly the first 300 miles of the flight at reduced speed because of turbulence caused by headwinds of more than 100 knots or 115 mph.
The National Aeronautic Association says the flight is a US record. The Association has also asked the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland to approve the flight as a world record. Gulfstream’s G450 aircraft now holds five speed records.
Sean Sheldon, senior international captain, and Jaime Bahamon, international captain piloted the aircraft with Joanne Dye flight attendant. The aircraft also carried seven passengers. G450’s are typically fitted out to carry 12 passengers but can seat up to 16 passengers.
G450 Speed records
| Route | Time (hours) | Distance (miles/km/nm) | Average speed
| Date |
| Tokyo to Hong Kong | 3.58 | 1,950 m/ 3,137 km/ 1,694 nm | 647mph/ 1,041kmph/ M 0.85 | June 7, 2010 |
| Oranjestad (Aruba) to Barcelona | 8:56 | 5,033 m/ 8,100km/ 4,374 nm | 609mph/ 908kmph/ M 0.8 | 2009 |
| Denver to Honolulu | 7.07 | 3,388m/ 5452km/ 2,944 nm | 639mph/ 1,029kmh/ M 0.84 | 2006 |
| Washington, D.C, to London Luton | 6:12 | 3,786 m/ 6,023km/ 3,290 nm | 647mph/ 1,041kmph/ M 0.85 | 2005 |
| Chicago to London | 7.18 | 4,085 m/ 6,575km/ 3,550 nm | 647mph/ 1,041kmph/ M 0.85 | May 7, 2005, |
