I went on the world's newest private jet, an $81 million Gulfstream G700 with its own bedroom for Qatar Airways' deep-pocketed customers

Pete SymeJul 7, 2024, 18:18 IST

The author, the Gulfstream G700, and its onboard bedroom.Pete Syme/Business Insider

Qatar Airways' private jet subsidiary just took delivery of the first two Gulfstream G700s.
The $81 million plane, which has a bedroom, can fly faster and further than its predecessor.

Gulfstream's G650ER is popular with billionaires including customers like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates.

But the long-awaited G700 is a step up, capable of going faster and further than its predecessor. Certification of the new jet had been delayed from its target of last December, primarily because the Federal Aviation Administration changed its internal processes.

While the G700 had previously been displayed at the Paris Air Show, I was among the first to tour one post-certification when it was displayed at a business aviation conference in Switzerland.

With a longer cabin and improved technology, it's unsurprising that someone as wealthy as Musk has placed an order for the G700, as reported by the Texas-based news site Austonia.

In May, I flew to Geneva to attend EBACE, Europe's largest business aviation conference.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Six days earlier, the first two Gulfstream G700s were officially received by Qatar Executive — the private jet subsidiary of Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways

Qatar was evidently proud to show off the new jet. It was the only one on display at EBAXE that wasn't fenced off, and anyone could line up to see on board for a few minutes.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Qatar was evidently proud to show off the new jet. It was the only one on display at EBAXE that wasn't fenced off, and anyone could line up to see on board for a few minutes.

Underneath the cockpit window is the enhanced flight vision system, a camera that helps pilots land in low-visibility conditions.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Powered by Rolls Royce's Pearl 700 engines, it can reach speeds of Mach 0.925 (709 mph) with a range of 8,630 miles — one of the farthest in the industry.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Boarding the jet, you first see the galley with an oven, microwave, and plenty of counter space.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Opposite this was a seat for the cabin crew, with a sliding door for privacy.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Qatar's touches to the fully customizable interior were evident, especially with the elaborate carpet. The cabin is a spacious 6 feet 5 inches tall.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Past the front seating area was an entertainment space with a sofa and a TV that pops up from the sideboard.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

There's another screen at the back of the cabin, where four people can sit round a table.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Qatar Executive describes the cabin as "whisper-quiet." That's helped by the flush design of the overwing emergency exit.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

I sat in one of the leather seats, which have adjustable headrests and a pop-up legrest. Of course, it was incredibly comfortable and worlds away from my easyJet flight that morning.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

I sat in one of the leather seats, which have adjustable headrests and a pop-up legrest. Of course, it was incredibly comfortable and worlds away from my easyJet flight that morning.

From the seat, I could experience Gulfstream's signature "panoramic windows." It's hard to sum up just how expansive the circular shape makes the view, compared to a usual plane window.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

From the seat, I could experience Gulfstream's signature "panoramic windows." It's hard to sum up just how expansive the circular shape makes the view, compared to a usual plane window.

The lights and window shades can be controlled by buttons next to each seat.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

And there are charging ports set into the wall at an angle for improved convenience.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The main comfort is the bedroom in the aft living space.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

It had plenty of stowage space on the side and another TV at the foot of the bed.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

I don't think there would be many morning views much cooler than rolling over to see the skies out of the huge window.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

There's more stowage space, a lamp, and a drink holder tucked behind the pillows.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

I thought the bathroom layout was a bit quirky with the mirror perpendicular to the sink.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

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I went on the world's newest private jet, an $81 million Gulfstream G700 with its own bedroom for Qatar Airways' deep-pocketed customers

In May, I flew to Geneva to attend EBACE, Europe's largest business aviation conference.

Six days earlier, the first two Gulfstream G700s were officially received by Qatar Executive — the private jet subsidiary of Qatar Airways.

Qatar was evidently proud to show off the new jet. It was the only one on display at EBAXE that wasn't fenced off, and anyone could line up to see on board for a few minutes.

Underneath the cockpit window is the enhanced flight vision system, a camera that helps pilots land in low-visibility conditions.

Powered by Rolls Royce's Pearl 700 engines, it can reach speeds of Mach 0.925 (709 mph) with a range of 8,630 miles — one of the farthest in the industry.

Boarding the jet, you first see the galley with an oven, microwave, and plenty of counter space.

Opposite this was a seat for the cabin crew, with a sliding door for privacy.

Qatar's touches to the fully customizable interior were evident, especially with the elaborate carpet. The cabin is a spacious 6 feet 5 inches tall.

Past the front seating area was an entertainment space with a sofa and a TV that pops up from the sideboard.

There's another screen at the back of the cabin, where four people can sit round a table.

Qatar Executive describes the cabin as "whisper-quiet." That's helped by the flush design of the overwing emergency exit.

I sat in one of the leather seats, which have adjustable headrests and a pop-up legrest. Of course, it was incredibly comfortable and worlds away from my easyJet flight that morning.

From the seat, I could experience Gulfstream's signature "panoramic windows." It's hard to sum up just how expansive the circular shape makes the view, compared to a usual plane window.

The lights and window shades can be controlled by buttons next to each seat.

And there are charging ports set into the wall at an angle for improved convenience.

The main comfort is the bedroom in the aft living space.

It had plenty of stowage space on the side and another TV at the foot of the bed.

I don't think there would be many morning views much cooler than rolling over to see the skies out of the huge window.

There's more stowage space, a lamp, and a drink holder tucked behind the pillows.

I thought the bathroom layout was a bit quirky with the mirror perpendicular to the sink.