Altria's Gulfstream G600 completes test flight at O'Hare ahead of CEO succession

Altria Group's Gulfstream G600, tail number N805AG, executed a brief 16-minute flight at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on May 12, reaching a maximum altitude of 650 feet before landing back at the same airport—a pattern consistent with a test flight or maintenance check.

The flight occurs just two days before the scheduled retirement of Chief Executive Officer Billy Gifford, who will step down on May 14, 2026, after a 30-year career at the company, per a December 2025 SEC filing [sec.gov]. Gifford's successor, Sal Mancuso, is set to take the helm as Altria navigates a shifting nicotine landscape.

Altria's aircraft has been active in recent days, flying between Richmond headquarters, Oklahoma City, and Chicago, reflecting the company's ongoing operational rhythm amid the leadership transition.