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.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Gulfstream Collects $2B in G700 Fleet Orders

Gulfstream's flagship G700 launches with orders from two fleet operators. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Clean-sheet, single turboprop aircraft is progressing toward 2026 certification

Textron Aviation’s Denali To Mark Sun ‘n Fun Expo Debut

Sarah Rose

Australia surveillance aims for Bombardier boost

Bombardier Sells Two Challenger 650s for Australian ISR

Hanneke Weitering

Australian eVTOL start-up’s second full-scale prototype could fly this year

AMSL Prepares to Test Hydrogen-powered Vertiia eVTOL Aircraft

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

More energy efficiency means four, rather than six, open rotor engines

Airbus Reveals Latest ZeroE Hydrogen Airliner Design

China saw the largest business aviation fleet decline in the region

ASG: Southeast Asia Leads Bizav Fleet Growth in Asia-Pac

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

$20 billion in Pentagon funding pledged to achieve first flights by 2029

U.S. Pushes For Air Dominance with F-47 Fighter Contract

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

NBAA-BACE 2019

In this article

Gulfstream G700/G800

Gulfstream

More In Aircraft

Textron Aviation’s Denali To Mark Sun ‘n Fun Expo Debut

Clean-sheet, single turboprop aircraft is progressing toward 2026 certification

Bombardier Sells Two Challenger 650s for Australian ISR

Australia surveillance aims for Bombardier boost

AMSL Prepares to Test Hydrogen-powered Vertiia eVTOL Aircraft

Australian eVTOL start-up’s second full-scale prototype could fly this year

Airbus Reveals Latest ZeroE Hydrogen Airliner Design

More energy efficiency means four, rather than six, open rotor engines

ASG: Southeast Asia Leads Bizav Fleet Growth in Asia-Pac

China saw the largest business aviation fleet decline in the region

U.S. Pushes For Air Dominance with F-47 Fighter Contract

$20 billion in Pentagon funding pledged to achieve first flights by 2029

Customer Base Grows for Electra’s EL9 Hybrid-electric Aircraft

Operators from Africa, Europe, India, Brazil and the U.S. have signed up for the nine-seater

FAA Accepts XTI's Certification Application for TriFan 600 VTOL Aircraft

XTI Aerospace says it is close to completing a subscale working model

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN