The global market for ultra-long-range business jets has once again witnessed fierce competition. Just 11 days after the Bombardier Global 8000 set a new speed record on a transatlantic route, Gulfstream reclaimed the top spot. On July 30, the Gulfstream G700 successfully covered the distance from Los Angeles to Farnborough, UK, beating its main rival by 19 minutes.
The Battle for Time: Figures and Facts
The Gulfstream G700 flight took 8 hours and 27 minutes. For comparison: the competitor, the Bombardier Global 8000, which also flew from Los Angeles to Farnborough on July 19, spent 8 hours and 46 minutes on the journey. The route connecting the two continents spans approximately 4,740 nautical miles (about 8,780 km).
It is important to note that Gulfstream emphasized the methodology used to measure time. The record was fixed based on the full flight cycle—from takeoff to landing—rather than just the cruise segment. According to the manufacturer, this approach most accurately reflects the aircraft's actual operational capabilities and shows the real time passengers spend in the air.
The Paradox of Specifications
The victory of the Gulfstream G700 appears particularly impressive against the backdrop of the stated technical specifications. On paper, the advantage should have remained with Bombardier: the Global 8000 model is capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 0.95, whereas the maximum speed of the Gulfstream G700 is limited to Mach 0.935. Nevertheless, in the actual race, it was the G700 that demonstrated superior results.
Gulfstream President Mark Burns commented on the success, noting that this method of measuring time best demonstrates the aircraft's efficiency in real operating conditions.
The Impact of Weather on the Result
When discussing aviation records, it is impossible to ignore weather conditions. Earlier, when the Bombardier Global 8000 set its record during the flight to the Farnborough Airshow, the company stated that the flight took place under difficult conditions with unfavorable headwinds. In turn, Gulfstream did not disclose details regarding the weather situation during its winning flight, leaving the intrigue regarding how much meteorological conditions influenced the final flight time.
