Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Gulfstream designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and services business jet aircraft.

Matt Thurber

Gulfstream hit paydirt with initial fleet orders valued at nearly $2 billion from Qatar Executive and Flexjet for the new G700 flagship unveiled on Monday evening at the NBAA-BACE static display at Las Vegas Henderson Executive Airport.

 


The Qatar Executive charter arm of Qatar Airways is taking 10 G700s worth $750 million at list price, with Qatar also having the honor of being the G700 launch customer. This supplements Qatar’s earlier orders for G500s and G650ERs, and the company is currently operating six G650ERs and five G500s.

 


Qatar Executive was the international launch customer for the G500. “We are excited to be the launch customer of the G700, the largest business jet in the industry, and are looking forward to the aircraft joining our fleet,” said Akbar al Baker, group CEO of Qatar Airways.

 


Flexjet, the first North America G700 fleet customer for the new Gulfstream, which placed a firm order for 16 G700s worth $1.2 billion at list price. It already operates G650ERs, G500s, and G450s, and was North America launch customer for the G500. Flexjet plans to make the G700 available for its Red Label service, which includes dedicated crews and other perks.

 


“The G700, with its speed, range, and versatility, will make an exceptional fractional offering,” said Flexjet chairman Kenn Ricci. “We anticipate that it will be ideally suited for those companies that need occasional access to global markets and will be the pinnacle of our Red Label offering.”

 


Gulfstream's 7,500-nm G700 has five living areas, including an extra-large 10-foot-long galley, and is powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 turbofans. First flight is planned in the first half of next year, followed by G700 service entry in 2022.

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