Gulfstream GV

The Gulfstream GV, also written Gulfstream V or G-V, was the first Gulfstream built for ultra-long range. Its fuselage is longer than that of the GIV, with a cabin of 13.39 m without the baggage area, 1.88 m high and 2.24 m wide. Charter aircraft usually seat 14 in three zones, and the certified maximum is 19.

Gulfstream gives 12,038 km (6,500 nm) at Mach 0.80 with eight passengers and about 10,200 km with twelve, enough for London - New York in 7:00 h or Nice - Cape Town in 10:45 h without a stop. The successor, the G550, keeps the same fuselage, so the GV appeals to groups who want the same stand-up cabin at a lower hourly rate.

Inside the cabin: the same cross-section as the G550

Adults walk upright, and two rows of seats leave a proper aisle. At the maximum cruise altitude the cabin pressure corresponds to about 1,830 m above sea level, which makes a ten-hour sector less tiring.

Cabinets or bulkheads divide the usual layout into three areas:

• Galley at the entrance, often with a small toilet and, in some aircraft, a crew rest seat
• Main toilet with a door and washbasin at the rear
• A flight attendant depends on the aircraft and the operator, as does satellite internet

Baggage: 6.4 m³ behind the rear toilet

The baggage area holds about 6.4 m³ (226 cubic feet) inside the pressurised fuselage, so passengers can walk into it during the flight. On the longest legs with a full cabin the limit is weight rather than volume, so list skis, golf bags and heavy items in the request.

Range, speed and airports

Two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines from the same family as on the G550 power the jet, and two pilots fly it from an older Honeywell cockpit. Normal cruise is about Mach 0.83, roughly 880 km/h; the full range applies at Mach 0.80, so a faster cruise shortens it.

Airports in practice:

Rules that matter on long sectors

Gulfstream GV routes from European hubs

Thirty routes from all thirteen hubs, every one without a fuel stop. Prices are one way for the whole aircraft with crew and fuel, without airport fees and passenger taxes. Flight time follows the great circle plus taxi, climb and approach; for Delhi the distance includes a detour around closed airspace.

Short European legs: the price floor of the type

Canaries, Cyprus and the Gulf in 2 to 4 hours

Long sectors, where the type pays off

• Paris - Los Angeles (11:11 h) and Nice - Cape Town (10:45 h) are close to the planning limit; with 13 or 14 on board and winter headwinds the operator may plan a fuel stop
• Routes to the Gulf, Delhi and Malé depend on which airspace is open, and the quote gives the exact flight time
• Singapore and Tokyo usually need a fuel stop because of the detour around closed airspace

On the three European legs the range stays unused, and a midsize jet costs far less for a small group.

The calculator shows an indicative price for the GV or a long-range jet of the same class on your route.

How much does a Gulfstream GV charter cost

The rate starts at EUR 12,000 per flight hour for the whole aircraft, with two pilots and fuel. A short leg costs much more than the rate times the flight time, as the price also covers positioning, the operator's minimum charge and handling: London Farnborough - Geneva takes 1:23 h and starts at EUR 21,000.

On long sectors the fixed part weighs less, though a third pilot and days away from base come in. London - New York starts at EUR 87,000, Madrid - Miami at EUR 110,000 and Paris - Los Angeles at EUR 140,000. Few aircraft are based in Europe, so positioning from the USA or the Gulf can add a large sum; we check where the aircraft is before quoting.

The price is for the aircraft, so the share per person on London Farnborough - New York falls with every passenger:

How to pay less for a long-range trip

Empty Legs on this type

Empty sectors on the GV are rare in Europe, as most aircraft are based in North America or the Gulf. They usually follow a charter that ended in Europe: a transatlantic return or a flight back to the Gulf. Such a leg can cost 30-60% less than a normal charter, but date and route are fixed and the operator may cancel it.

Send your route and a window of dates to empty-legs@jets.flights or through the Empty Legs page, and we include G550 and other long-range jets in the search.

G550, Global Express, Falcon 7X or G450

A GV quote is usually weighed against its successor and other jets of similar size.

How to request the aircraft

For a quote we need:

• route and dates for both directions;
• number of passengers and how many want to sleep;
• baggage, sports equipment and pets;
• if internet on board is a must, and if a G550 is acceptable.

We look for free aircraft with operators holding an AOC and always try to offer more than one option, but each case depends on the operator's schedule and contract.

Questions about the Gulfstream GV

• • How much does a GV flight from London to New York cost?

  • From EUR 87,000 one way for the whole aircraft, about 7:00 h without a stop, or about EUR 10,900 each for eight passengers. Airport fees, UK Air Passenger Duty and positioning come on top.

• • What makes up the price?

  • Flight time at the hourly rate, positioning, the crew's hotel and a third pilot on long days, airport and handling fees, passenger taxes, catering and winter de-icing.

• • Why does a short European flight cost so much?

  • Positioning, minimum charge and handling are spread over few hours: Paris - Nice takes 1:19 h and starts at EUR 20,000. For a small group a midsize jet is cheaper.

• • How can I fly cheaper on this type?

  • Give flexible dates, accept a G550 or G450 parked nearer to you, and compare a crew stay with two empty legs for a return.

• • Are there Empty Legs on the GV?

  • Rarely, mostly transatlantic returns and flights back to the Gulf. They can be 30-60% cheaper, but the date is fixed and the leg can be cancelled.

• • How many passengers fit, and is there a proper toilet?

  • Usually 14 seats, 19 at most, and four to six can lie down at night. The rear toilet has a door and washbasin, and many aircraft have a second one by the galley.

• • How far can it fly without a stop?

  • Up to 12,038 km with eight passengers and about 10,200 km with twelve: New York, Miami, Malé and Cape Town from European hubs.

• • Can I bring my dog?

  • Yes, in the cabin next to you once the operator knows breed, weight and carrier. The EU requires a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and a pet passport; the UK, Ireland, Malta, Finland and Norway also require tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before entry, and the USA has its own rules.

• • Can the GV land in Cannes or Courchevel?

  • No. It exceeds the 35 t limit at Cannes-Mandelieu and lands in Nice, and the Courchevel altiport is far too short, so the trip goes via Geneva or Chambéry.