Gulfstream G280

The Gulfstream G280 is the smallest aircraft that is currently in production under the Gulfstream name, and is built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for Gulfstream.

The development of the G280 started back in 2005 when Gulfstream and IAI began to design a successor to the Gulfstream G200 aircraft.

The new aircraft took its first flight in December 2009 and was certified in the second half of 2012.

With a maximum range of 3,600 nautical miles, up to two living areas and a maximum cruise speed of 0.85 Mach, the G280 upholds all the classic Gulfstream trademarks, such as a low cabin altitude, quiet cabin, 100% fresh air and the signature large oval windows.

The G280 is competing with the Dassault Falcon 2000S, Cessna Citation Longitude, Challenger 350 and Embraer Legacy 500.

All carry a similar cruise speed, range and maximum cabin altitude. The G280s range allows it to fly non-stop from London to New York or Singapore to Dubai – very similar to the Embraer Legacy 650E.

Created to reimagine super-midsize performance, the G280 excels at blazing difficult trails.

Certified for steep-approach operations, it makes nimble work of short runways, high-altitude airports and low-visibility conditions. Its revolutionary wing design and engine technology result in prime fuel-efficiency—reducing operating costs and supporting environmental sustainability.

Powered by two aft mounted Honeywell HTF7250G engines, with each one producing 7,624 lb of thrust (15,248 lb total).

These engines are able to power the G280 to a maximum cruising altitude of 45,000 feet, at a maximum cruise speed of 482 knots for up to 3,600 nautical miles (4,150 miles).

In February of 2020 the Gulfstream G280 set a new city to city speed record – flying from Burlington, Vermont to London City Airport, UK, in just 6 hours and 10 minutes.

This speed record demonstrates not only the steep approach capabilities of the G280, but also the impressive short field performance of the aircraft.

The G280 is able to take-off in just 4,750 feet and land in 2,720 feet, all with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 39,600 lbs.

Despite being the smallest aircraft in the Gulfstream line-up it still gets all the amenities and quality you would expect from any Gulfstream.

With a cabin measuring 9.83 meters long, 2.11 meters wide and 1.85 meters tall, there is plenty of space to comfortably move around during flight.

With the option to configure the cabin to seat up to 10 passengers and space for up to five passengers to sleep.

There are two cabin layouts that offer the maximum 10 seat capacity, one which features a double-club forward seating arrangement and four seats opposite a three -seat divan (note that only the two edge seats of the divan can be used for take-off and landing).

The other configuration replaces the divan with two individual seats in the a single-club configuration. The club seats can be configured into beds, along with the divan.

At the rear of the cabin there is the fully enclosed lavatory, featuring a vacuum toilet, sink and closet to hang garments.

Keep going further back and you will find the baggage compartment which is capable of storing 120 cubic feet of baggage, with a maximum weight limit of 1,980 lbs. JetRequest.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons The maximum cabin altitude in the G280 is 7,000 feet – similar to many airliners – and the cabin noise level stays right around 70 dB.

The lower the cabin altitude and the lower the noise levels, the less jet lag you will feel when you arrive at your final destination.

As you would expect from Gulfstream, the G280’s cockpit is technologically advanced and features all the latest avionics. The G280 features the PlaneView280™ flight deck.

This industry-leading technology is designed to augment situational awareness, reduce workload and boost pilot efficiency. Featuring three 15-inch displays, the G280s avionics are very similar to the larger Gulfstream’s flying around.

If you are thinking of chartering a G280, the estimated cost per flight hour is $5,650. This price is slightly higher than the competition.

With Gulfstream’s always proving popular – and the G280 being no exception – there are many in the hands of operators, meaning it should be relatively easy to get your hands on one.

If you are looking to find a charter company, click here to compare all the private jet charter brokers who can help you organise your flight in a Gulfstream G280.