Gulfstream Aerospace has claimed a new record for non-stop flight by a business aircraft, after a customer's Gulfstream V flew 6,471 nmi nonstop from Beijing to Houston on September 30. It was the first non-stop flight by a business jet on that route. If the flight is approved by the National Aeronautic Association, it will be the 60th world record for Gulfstream's ultra-long-range jet.

The flight carried a crew of four and three passengers. The G-V cruised at Mach 0.8 at altitudes as high as 51,000 feet -- the type's service ceiling -- and completed the flight in 13 hours and 21 minutes. Gulfstream says that the airplane's high cruising altitude permitted a more direct routing and a shorter flight time.

"This flight was made in a fully outfitted aircraft in the course of a normal business day," said Gulfstream senior sales and marketing VP Joe Walker. "It was not flown with the objective of setting a record."

Gulfstream has taken 150 orders for the G-V, and 61 aircraft were in customer service at the end of September. The company claims a commanding market lead over the rival Bombardier Global Express.