In April 2018, Gulfstream announced the delivery of the 300th G650. This is an impressive acheivement and one that puts the G650 on track to be one of the more successful large cabin aircraft programs in history. To give some perspective, they acheived this in just over 5 years while the G450, another successful and iconic aircraft program, delivered 360 in 12 years. That the G650 is on track to match the G450’s deliveries in just half the time is a strong testament to the popularity of this remarkable aircraft
The G650 was a new product from Gulfstream, simulatenously providing its customers with the longest range and the largest cabin of any private jet. Its price point was also higher than any other aircraft at the time, but Gulfstream has proven that for a compelling product, a high price can still deliver excellent value. The G650 upped the ante to the other manufacturers, forcing Bombardier to match their offering with their new Global 7000, with an even longer range thanks to a recent range increase and an even larger cabin than the G650.
The G650 spawned a new series of Gulfstreams with the G500 and G600. The G500 will be coming into service in 2018 with the G600 following soon after. All the while, the iconic and highly successful G550 is still being produced and delivered in large number, with the 550th being delivered in mid-2017.
True innovation in aviation is rare and often poorly rewarded, but Gulfstream designed, produced and delivered real progress and innovation in the G650 and has been handsomely rewarded by its customers.
