The new Gulfstream G800 vs the G650ER

The G800 (pictured right) is one of Gulfstream’s two newest aircraft, the other jet in the pair being the G400. The additions of these two aircraft announced yesterday (4 October, 2021) bring the Savannah-based OEM’s large cabin family up to six aircraft. The question is how does the new G800 compare to its classmates, such as the G650ER (pictured left)?

The G800 features the longest range of any purpose built business jet currently announced, the aircraft will have the same fuselage as the G650ER, but features a variety of elements found in the recently announced G700. These include the cabin seats, lighting, Symmetry flight deck, wings, and Rolls Pearl 700 engines.

At $71.5m the G800 is slightly more expensive than the G650ER, list price $66.5m. But class leading range of 8,000-nm travelled at a long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85 is 500nm further than the G650ER — at 7,500nm it was the longest range of any business aircraft when announced back in 2013.

The G800 will also be able to fly 7,000 nm at a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90. This means from New York, either speed option will yield a nonstop link to Shanghai, Tahiti, Punta Arenas, Johannesburg, or Mumbai.

The jet’s power comes from two Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines which are rated at 18,250 pounds of thrust a piece, matching the powerplants on the G700. However, compared to the G650ER’s BR725 engines, the 700s are 18% more fuel-efficient, according to the builder.

The G800 will be able to seat up to 19 passengers and sleep 10 when outfitted with four living areas, or up to 15 passengers with three living areas and a crew compartment. Forward and aft lavatories and a galley for food preparation are included on both configurations. Whereas in the G650ER the cabin can seat up to 18 passengers in a high-density configuration – although eight passengers is a more typical number.

The G800 retains the original interior dimensions of the G650ER: 53.6-foot length, 6.25-foot height, 8.2-foot width, and 2,138 cabin volume. Whilst, it will also have the same 16 large oval cabin windows as its predecessor.

Piloting the G800 will be almost the same as the G700, the flight deck will be identical, including Symmetry, dual head-up displays with combined vision system, and the predictive landing performance system.

There is typically a hard market for the G650ER which keeps resale values strong, Gulfstream are confident the G800 will do the same. While the G800 is intended to replace the G650ER, Gulfstream, president, Mark Burns said 650ER will remain as a “value” aircraft in the OEM’s line-up. Backlog for this model remains strong, to the point where production was ramped up in 2021 from earlier projections.