Introduction to the Gulfstream 250
What is the Gulfstream 250?
The Gulfstream 250 is the twin-engine business jet that Gulfstream and IAI developed as the follow-on to the Gulfstream G200. It was launched under the G250 name in 2008, flew for the first time under that name in 2009, and was renamed G280 in July 2011. Every aircraft delivered to customers carries the G280 name.
If you search for a "Gulfstream 250" or "G250" today, you are looking for a G280.
Brief history and development of the Gulfstream 250
- 2005: Gulfstream and IAI began designing a follow-on to the G200
- 2008: the new model was launched as the G250
- December 11, 2009: first flight, in Tel Aviv, Israel
- July 2011: renamed G280. Gulfstream said it had "determined that G280 is a more amenable number sequence [than G250] in certain cultures." In Mandarin, the number 250 can be read as an insult.
- December 2011: provisional certification in Israel
- September 4, 2012: full certification from Israel and the United States
- 2012: deliveries to customers began
By June 2025, 300 had been built.
What industry Does the Gulfstream 250 Cater To?
The G280 sits in the super-midsize class. It suits companies and private owners who want transcontinental and some transatlantic range in a cabin smaller than a large-cabin jet.
Design and Performance Features
Airframe Design and Materials
Gulfstream designed the wing, the tail and the interior. IAI did the detailed design to Gulfstream's requirements and manufactures the fuselage, tail and landing gear. The aircraft is assembled in Israel, then flown to Dallas, Texas, for interior finishing and painting.
Compared with the G200, the G250/G280 gained a new T-tail, wing anti-ice using engine bleed air, four more cabin windows and access from the cabin to the baggage compartment. Removing the rear fuselage fuel tank added 17 inches of usable cabin length without changing the outside of the fuselage.
Performance Attributes
The wing uses the Gulfstream G550 airfoil and is larger than the G200's: 495 square feet against 369. It lets the jet climb directly to 43,000 ft, and its design cruise speed is Mach 0.80, up from Mach 0.75 on the G200.
Exterior Design
Shape and Dimensions
- Length: 66 ft 10 in
- Wingspan: 63 ft 0 in
- Height: 21 ft 4 in
- Max takeoff weight: 39,600 lb
Wings and Engines
The G280 is powered by two Honeywell HTF7250G turbofans, each producing 7,624 lb of thrust. It is a turbofan jet, not a turboprop. At 41,000 ft and Mach 0.82, each engine burns about 900 lb of fuel per hour.
Interior Design
Cabin Space and Configurations
The cabin seats up to 10 in executive style, with a maximum payload of 4,050 lb. Gulfstream designed the interior, and the cabin has more windows than the G200 it replaced.
Cabin Comfort and Amenities
Passengers can reach the baggage compartment from inside the cabin during the flight. Seat layouts vary by aircraft, so check the floor plan of the specific jet you plan to fly.
Performance Specifications
Speed and Range
- Range: 3,600 nautical miles at Mach 0.80 with four passengers and NBAA IFR reserves
- Normal cruise: 459 knots at altitude
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.84
- Service ceiling: 45,000 ft
- Balanced field length: 4,750 ft, shorter than the G200's 4,960 ft
That range covers city pairs such as London to New York or Singapore to Dubai. Range on a given day depends on passengers, bags, weather and winds.
Cost and Pricing
Acquisition Costs
In 2021, the equipped price of a new G280 was $24.5 million. Gulfstream's current aircraft lineup on its website no longer lists the G280, so most buyers today look at pre-owned aircraft. Used prices depend on the year, hours, maintenance status and cabin.
Operating Costs
Operating costs depend on how many hours you fly, fuel prices, crew, hangar and the maintenance program. Ask for a current estimate based on your expected use before you buy.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Who is the Gulfstream 250 for
The G250, sold as the G280, is for travelers who need nonstop range across a continent or an ocean in a super-midsize cabin. If you fly that kind of trip only a few times a year, chartering can be simpler than owning.
BLADE arranges private charters of jets through licensed operators. All BLADE flights in the United States are operated by FAA-licensed carriers. Tell BLADE your route, date and group size, and compare the aircraft available for your trip.
FAQs about What Is An Gulfstream 250 Jet?
What is a Gulfstream 250 jet?
It is the super-midsize business jet launched as the G250 in 2008 and delivered as the Gulfstream G280 from 2012.
Can I purchase a new Gulfstream 250 jet?
No aircraft was ever delivered under the G250 name. Gulfstream's current lineup on its website does not list the G280, so check with Gulfstream for new-aircraft availability.
Can I purchase a used Gulfstream 250 jet?
Yes, as a used G280. By June 2025, 300 had been built.
What are the key features of a Gulfstream 250 jet?
Two Honeywell HTF7250G turbofans, a 3,600 nm range, a 45,000 ft service ceiling and seating for up to 10 in executive style.
How much does a Gulfstream 250 jet cost to purchase?
In 2021 a new G280 had an equipped price of $24.5 million. Used prices vary with age, hours and condition.
What are the maintenance costs associated with owning a Gulfstream 250 jet?
They depend on hours flown, the aircraft's age and the maintenance program it is enrolled in. Get a current estimate for the specific aircraft.