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Gulfstream retires record-breaking jet after one million flight hours

  • The Gulfstream G650 has been retired after one million flight hours
  • It broke over 125 speed records
  • The new luxury G800 jet will soon replace it

Published on Feb 14, 2025 at 4:41 PM (UTC+4)
by Grace Donohoe

Last updated on Feb 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Kate Bain

Gulfstream has announced that one of its most famous aircraft will be no more.

After a groundbreaking one million flight hours, the private plane manufacturer has ceased production of the G650.

There will be a replacement luxury jet, built by Gulfstream and due to take flight later in 2025.

But the G650’s reign in the sky has been an impressive one.

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Gulfstream’s most famous jet had a very good run

The first Gulfstream took flight in 1958, with 200 of the original models produced over an 11-year production run.

The manufacturer has hit many milestones since, including producing the first business plane to fly non-stop from the US to Europe in 1968.

The G650 model launched in 2005 and was first delivered to its customers in 2012.

But now the famed G650’s reign has come to an end and its production has been completed.

Gulfstream announces G650 will retire after breaking records
Gulfstream

According to Air Charter, the jet has a range of 12,960km, can complete long-haul trips like London to Hong Kong and Dubai to New York.

But, the flashy features come with a hefty price tag of $69.5 million, with the longer range edition – the G650ER – setting you back a cool $70.5 million.

Flight records smashed by the Gulfstream veteran

While in production, the jet claimed many world records.

Among other things, the G650ER was chosen for One More Orbit and became the fastest aircraft to circle the world via the North and South poles. It’s also smashed over 125 world speed records over the course of its life.

The jet has even logged over one million flight hours.

So, it’ll be a sad farewell to the G650 but fear not – Gulf still has a few tricks up its impressive sleeve.

Their newest G800 jet comes complete with up to four living areas and boasts the longest range in the industry.

It’s extremely powerful too, with Rolls Royce engines that enable it to fly a whopping 7,000 nautical miles.

It took its first flight in 2024 and will have many a famous face interested in snapping one up to fly them around the world.

The very last G650 aircraft will be distributed in due course, but the date is yet undetermined.

Then it will be all eyes on the G800 and the records it will smash and claim.

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Grace started her career writing about the weird and wonderful for the international press. She's covered everything from lifestyle to sports and hard news and now finds herself pursuing her main interest - cars. She's loved cars from a young age and has a keen interest in luxury travel too.