Gulfstream Aerospace's first production G700 set the ultra-long-range model’s inaugural city-pair speed records when it flew from its home base in Savannah, Georgia, to Doha, Qatar, and then on to Paris Le Bourget. The aircraft performed “flawlessly” on both legs, Gulfstream senior v-p of worldwide sales Scott Neal told reporters today at Le Bourget.

The fully outfitted G700 production test aircraft—S/N 006 and registered as N706GD—left Savannah on Friday for Doha, covering a distance of 6,711 nm at an average speed of Mach 0.88 in 13 hours and 16 minutes. The aircraft then set another city-pair record yesterday from Doha to Paris, flying 2,953 nm in six hours and 15 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90.

In keeping with the OEM's sustainability commitment, the G700 burned a blend of sustainable aviation fuel on the Savannah to Doha flight, while Gulfstream also purchased carbon offsets for both flights.

The aircraft, which is being used to test the G700’s new cabin, is staying in Paris until Saturday when it will fly back to Savannah. Gulfstream decided not to take part in any international aviation events or trade shows during the Covid-19 pandemic and brought the aircraft to Doha and Paris to introduce the jet in-person to customers in the Middle East and Europe, Neal said.

Service entry of the G700 is slated for next year.