Jan 28

Jan 28 Flying Private: L.A. to London in a Gulfstream G650

Since its release in 2008, the Gulfstream G650 has been the peak standard in luxury business travel. It’s a level of quality which, I believe, has yet to be matched in a private jet of its class.

I had the good fortune to take a flight in the ultra-luxurious Gulfstream G650 from L.A. to London recently, giving me the opportunity to experience flying privately in what is considered to be the most well-balanced business jet in terms of speed, range, and ride comfort.

The Gulfstream G650 is a twin-engined business-class jet which is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 0.925. That's nearly the speed of sound. The sheer velocity of this powerful jet means that we will arrive in London 30 minutes earlier than if we were crossing the pond in another jet of similar size.

The G650 has fantastic grace at high speed due to its stylish design. The sleek wings offer minimum air resistance, allowing the jet to cut through the sky like a warm knife through butter. The reduced drag not only significantly increases speed, range, and ride comfort, it also creates a quieter ambiance for its passengers.

Despite traveling close to the speed of sound, the G650 feels like it is gently gliding through the air. This is due to a highly efficient airfoil which creates an incredibly smooth ride.

The Gulfstream G650 performs very well over long distances, with an 8-passenger load and a long-range cruising speed of Mach 0.85 providing a maximum range of 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 km).

The low-pressurized cabin delivers 100% fresh air every two minutes and is designed for the ultimate comfort of its passengers. The pressure inside the G650 is more than twice as low as a commercial airline, making the cruising altitude of 51,000 feet feel more like 5,000 feet.

The Gulfstream G650 has a spacious cabin - the largest in its class - with a comfortable environment for up to 19 passengers. The cabin feels generously sized compared to other jets, with a width of 2.59m.

The cabin has gorgeous handcrafted leather recliners and features 16 large windows - ensuring the space is brilliantly well lit. The numerous windows also serve spectacular panoramic views of the earth from above.

The G650’s cabin is designed as a series of rooms, which provide the appropriate spaces for business meetings or entertainment. The forward cabin has four single seats, the mid-cabin has four seats with a conference table, and the separate stateroom hosts two leather recliners and a three-person sofa. The cabin can be configured to sleep up to 10 passengers.

The G650 is wired with state-of-the-art connectivity, including high-speed internet connections and multi-channel satellite communication systems. The G650 also has a local wireless network with printers and a phone service.

High-definition audio and video systems provide entertainment for those who just wish to relax. Temperature, entertainment, lighting options, and window shades are controlled by on-board smartphones and tablets. Passengers can synchronize their own devices to make managing their environment all that easier.

The fully-equipped galley includes an oven, large ice drawers, and specialist storage space for a formal dining set. The kitchen is more than capable of catering for a business dinner in the sky.