On October 28, 2024, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced a significant advancement in passenger connectivity for its business jets. The company received the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supplemental type certification to install Starlink high-speed internet on its flagship G650 and G650ER aircraft. This certification enables G650 and G650ER owners to upgrade their in-flight connectivity directly with Gulfstream, streamlining the installation process and ensuring a level of quality control customers expect from the luxury aircraft manufacturer.

“Starlink is an offering that we know is important to operators,” commented Derek Zimmerman, President of Gulfstream Customer Support. He highlighted Gulfstream’s extensive efforts to ensure a smooth integration, adding, “Our team has invested extensive time and resources preparing for this certification, and we are well-positioned across our service network to provide a seamless installation. Having the capability to install this connectivity upgrade at our own facilities, in the hands of our trusted team of experts, is part of our ongoing commitment to our customers.”

With Starlink, Gulfstream’s G650 and G650ER passengers gain simultaneous access to robust high-speed in-flight connectivity that can support video calls, cloud-based applications, and data transfers, at impressive download speeds ranging from 40 to 220 Mbps and a low latency of under 99 milliseconds. This technology enables a seamless online experience in the air, similar to that available on the ground, meeting the connectivity demands of modern business travelers.

Starlink’s connectivity is functional over most of the world’s airspace, including international waters, with only minimal exceptions. To support its high-speed global network, Starlink operates a constellation powered by over 9,000 optical space lasers, which transmit more than 10 petabytes of data each day.

Celebrating this milestone, Gulfstream announced the achievement on social media with the post: “#Starlink has arrived — Gulfstream has officially received FAA supplemental type certification to install the high-speed internet service on the G650/ER.”

Furthermore, Gulfstream is actively working to extend Starlink’s connectivity upgrade across its fleet. The company is in pursuit of similar FAA certifications for a range of its models, including the G800, G700, G600, G500, G400, G280, GIV, GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP. This ambitious expansion reflects Gulfstream’s commitment to enhancing the passenger experience through cutting-edge connectivity across its entire lineup.

G650 AND G650ER

In May this year, Gulfstream’s G650 and G650ER models surpassed 1 million flight hours, with over 560 aircraft in service globally. Since the G650’s launch in 2012, followed by the G650ER in 2014, these models have redefined business aviation, even earning the prestigious 2014 Collier Trophy for their innovation in performance, safety, and efficiency. Together, the G650 and G650ER have set over 125 city-pair speed records, with the G650ER holding the record for the farthest and fastest business jet flight. Both aircraft feature a flexible, awardwinning interior known as the Gulfstream Cabin Experience, offering fresh air, a low cabin altitude, and 16 large windows to accommodate up to 19 passengers.

In 2023, Gulfstream and Honeywell introduced the Primus Epic Block 3 avionics upgrade for these models, enhancing safety with upgraded visuals, communications, and navigation tools. Performance-wise, the G650 can reach up to 7,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.85, while the G650ER extends to 7,500 nautical miles. Both can reach a top speed of Mach 0.925, a cruise altitude of 51,000 feet, and are certified by the FAA and EASA for steep-approach landings.

STARLINK’S PROMISE OF STRONGER IN-FLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Starlink Aviation, developed by SpaceX, is redefining the inflight connectivity landscape with its high-speed, low-latency internet service, now available worldwide. Designed to keep passengers connected regardless of their location, Starlink offers download speeds between 40 and 220 Mbps, supporting a wide range of internet activities, from video calls and online gaming to VPN use and data-intensive applications. With latency under 99 milliseconds, Starlink’s performance makes it suitable for multiple passengers to engage in high-demand internet functions simultaneously—a remarkable advancement in aviation connectivity.

One of Starlink’s standout features is its global coverage, extending even to challenging environments like open oceans, high-latitude regions, and polar areas. The service provides uninterrupted connectivity throughout the flight, from taxi and takeoff to cruise and landing, thanks to regulatory approval for in-motion connectivity in numerous countries. The list of approved nations continues to expand, but Starlink’s connectivity is functional over most of the world’s airspace, including international waters, with only minimal exceptions.

To support its high-speed global network, Starlink operates a constellation powered by over 9,000 optical space lasers, which transmit more than 10 petabytes of data each day. These lasers allow sustained 100 Gbps links across distances as vast as 3,300 miles, forming a mesh network with a reliable 99.99 per cent uptime. This robust infrastructure ensures passengers can stay connected even on flights over remote or unpopulated areas, offering the confidence of seamless, consistent internet access.

In addition to high reliability, Starlink’s Aero Terminal hardware is built for versatility, supporting a range of aircraft from commercial airliners and business jets to supersonic models, helicopters, and VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. The service has already been deployed successfully on more than 30,000 flights, showcasing its adaptability and durability. Starlink continues to expand its certifications and supported aircraft, anticipating even broader adoption in the aviation sector. With these advancements, Starlink Aviation is set to dramatically enhance the passenger experience, making high-quality, streaming-capable internet available to anyone, anywhere in the skies.

GULFSTREAM, KEEPING UP WITH THE LATEST

Gulfstream continues to lead the charge in sustainable aviation, prioritising both environmental responsibility and customer convenience in its latest advancements. More recently on October 30, Gulfstream announced the successful completion of groundbreaking emissions testing on its G700 jet, which was powered by 100 per cent neat sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with zero sulfur content. This advanced testing is part of a broader effort by the company to measure and reduce aviation’s environmental impact. Utilising Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, the G700’s ground emissions tests assessed several fuel compositions, including a 30/70 SAF blend as well as 100 per cent neat SAF—a renewable fuel made without fossil components. Gulfstream anticipates that the insights gained from these tests will contribute to a cleaner future for business aviation, enabling the industry to move forward with more sustainable fuel options.

“Gulfstream has a rich history of innovating for sustainable aviation dating back to 2004 with the first ISO certification for our Savannah facility,” said Mark Burns, President of Gulfstream. “Our journey continues today as we work to enhance our understanding of fuel properties and their environmental characteristics to assess business aviation’s impact on the climate, chart the path forward in decreasing that impact and lead the industry in driving its sustainable aviation goals.”

This meticulous emissions testing took place at Gulfstream’s Savannah, Georgia, facility, with 100 per cent neat SAF supplied by World Energy and transported by World Fuel Services. The data, which included both gaseous and particle measurements, focused on evaluating the environmental effects of SAF—especially the benefits of sulfur-free, aromatic-free 100 per cent neat SAF. Early results indicate a notable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and minimal sulfur contamination, underscoring SAF’s promise for decreasing air pollution around airports and potentially curtailing the formation of condensation trails. To capture precise emissions data, specialised instruments provided by the FAA, NASA, Aerodyne Research, and Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) were used throughout the weeklong test.

By refining SAF technologies and conducting rigorous emissions tests, Gulfstream is helping to pave the way toward a cleaner, more sustainable future in aviation, setting a standard that aligns with the industry’s commitment to reducing its ecological footprint.