Gulfstream G550 vs Gulfstream GIV / GIV-SP
The G550 flies further: 6,750 nm against 4,220 nm for the GIV-SP. The G550 has the bigger cabin: 1,669 cu ft against 1,658 cu ft for the GIV-SP. The G550 is faster at high-speed cruise: 488 kts against 476 kts for the GIV-SP.
G550 or GIV-SP?
Which flies further, the G550 or the GIV-SP?
The G550 flies further: 6,750 nm against 4,220 nm for the GIV-SP.
Which has the bigger cabin, the G550 or the GIV-SP?
The G550 has the bigger cabin: 1,669 cu ft against 1,658 cu ft for the GIV-SP.
Which is faster, the G550 or the GIV-SP?
The G550 is faster at high-speed cruise: 488 kts against 476 kts for the GIV-SP.
Which seats more passengers?
The G550 seats more in a typical charter layout: up to 18 against up to 14 for the GIV-SP.
Which costs more to buy, the G550 or the GIV-SP?
Pre-owned, the G550 sells for about $15 million to $35 million (Q1 2026) and the GIV-SP for about $2.3 million to $6.5 million (November 2026). New, they listed at $62 million and $33 million (1992).
Which is easier to charter in the US?
105 G550 and 134 GIV-SP are on the US Part 135 charter list today. Both charter at heavy jet rates; availability on your dates decides the price.
G550 vs GIV-SP specifications
Verified figures, checked October 2026. Fleet counts from the FAA Part 135 list (2 September 2026).
| Specification | G550 Gulfstream | GIV-SP Gulfstream |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Range | 6,750 nm (12,501 km) (best) | 4,220 nm (7,815 km) |
| High-speed cruise | 488 kts (Mach 0.85) (best) | 476 kts |
| Long-range cruise | 459 kts (Mach 0.8) | 459 kts |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.885 (best) | Mach 0.88 |
| Maximum altitude | 51,000 ft (best) | 45,000 ft |
| Take-off distance | 5,910 ft | 5,450 ft (best) |
| Landing distance | 2,770 ft | 2,650 ft (best) |
| Cabin | ||
| Typical charter seats | 14 to 18 (best) | 13 to 14 |
| Maximum seats | 19 | 19 |
| Beds (typical layout) | 6 | 6 |
| Cabin zones | 3 | 3 |
| Cabin length | 43 ft 11 in (13.39 m) | 45 ft 1 in (13.74 m) (best) |
| Cabin width | 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) | 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) |
| Cabin height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) (best) | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Cabin volume | 1,669 cu ft (best) | 1,658 cu ft |
| Baggage | 226 cu ft, reachable in flight (best) | 169 cu ft, reachable in flight |
| Windows | 14 | Not published |
| Cabin altitude | 3,680 ft at 41,000 ft | Not published |
| Engines and weights | ||
| Engines | 2 × Rolls-Royce BR710 C4-11 | 2 × Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 |
| Thrust per engine | 15,385 lbf | 13,850 lbf |
| Maximum take-off weight | 91,000 lb | 74,600 lb |
| Fuel capacity | 41,300 lb | 29,500 lb |
| Price and ownership | ||
| First delivered | 2003 | 1987 |
| In production | No | No |
| New price | $62M | $33M (1992) |
| Pre-owned price | $15M to $35M | $2.3M to $6.5M |
| Operating cost per hour | $8,163 | $13,330 |
| Charter fleet | ||
| On the US charter list | 105 aircraft | 134 aircraft (best) |
Gold marks the best figure in each row. Take-off distance: At maximum take-off weight, sea level. Cabin length: Manufacturers measure cabin length differently; volume is the fairer comparison. Operating cost per hour: As reported; some sources quote variable cost only, others include fixed costs. See the basis under each aircraft.
Both aircraft at a glance
Gulfstream G550
- Seats
- 14 to 18 (max 19)
- Range
- 6,750 nm
- Cabin
- 1,669 cu ft
- In production
- No
- Charter fleet
- 105 in the US
US operators: Executive Jet Management, Solairus Aviation, STA Jets
G550 specs, interior and price →
Gulfstream GIV / GIV-SP
- Seats
- 13 to 14 (max 19)
- Range
- 4,220 nm
- Cabin
- 1,658 cu ft
- In production
- No
- Charter fleet
- 134 in the US
US operators: Prime Jet, STA Jets, Fly Alliance
GIV-SP specs, interior and price →Compare with other heavy jets
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistWhich flies further, the G550 or the GIV-SP?+
The G550 flies further: 6,750 nm against 4,220 nm for the GIV-SP.
Which has the bigger cabin, the G550 or the GIV-SP?+
The G550 has the bigger cabin: 1,669 cu ft against 1,658 cu ft for the GIV-SP.
Which is faster, the G550 or the GIV-SP?+
The G550 is faster at high-speed cruise: 488 kts against 476 kts for the GIV-SP.
Which seats more passengers?+
The G550 seats more in a typical charter layout: up to 18 against up to 14 for the GIV-SP.
Which costs more to buy, the G550 or the GIV-SP?+
Pre-owned, the G550 sells for about $15 million to $35 million (Q1 2026) and the GIV-SP for about $2.3 million to $6.5 million (November 2026). New, they listed at $62 million and $33 million (1992).
Which is easier to charter in the US?+
105 G550 and 134 GIV-SP are on the US Part 135 charter list today. Both charter at heavy jet rates; availability on your dates decides the price.
Where these numbers come from
- GlobalAir: G650 vs G550 (Sep 2026)
- Aviation Safety Network: Gulfstream G550 occurrences
- ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator methodology: 3.16 kg of CO2 per kg of jet fuel
- AIN: EASA approves 100 ft decision height for EVS-equipped Gulfstreams (2008)
- CRAFT: Gulfstream G550 ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026)
- GlobalAir G550 operating cost
- Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department: Serious Incident Report 1/2017, B-8256
- DC Aviation: Gulfstream G550 charter aircraft
- Wikipedia: Gulfstream G550
- Business Jet Traveler: G550
- Flightglobal: G550
- Guardian Jet spec sheet, Gulfstream G550 S/N 5354 (2012)
- Gulfstream: 550th G550 delivered (2017)
- Guardian Jet spec sheet, Gulfstream G550 S/N 5121 (2007)
- Guardian Jet spec sheet, Gulfstream G550 S/N 5446 (2014)
- Magellan Jets G550
- AIN: G550 production ends (2021)
- Aviation Safety Network: Gulfstream GIV (GLF4) occurrences
- Guardian Jet: 1998 Gulfstream GIV-SP N156WJ S/N 1347 specifications (Aug 2026): 14 passengers, three cabin areas, aft galley, aft lavatory
- Aviation Week: Gulfstream G450, good value in a large cabin (Oct 2020): 12 in longer nose from the G550, PlaneView with HUD and EVS standard, about 200 nm more range than the GIV and GIV-SP
- Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand: Gulfstream G-IV type acceptance report, Revision 1 (May 2010): FAA Type Certificate A12EA, TCDS Revision 35; G-IV aircraft with increased weights per ASC 190 (S/N 1214 and subsequent) are known as the GIV-SP
- CRAFT: Gulfstream GIV-SP ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026): $13,330 per flight hour at 200 hours a year, annual total $2,666,017
- Jetcraft: Gulfstream GIV-SP overview, 1992 to 2002 (Jan 2019): cabin volume 1,658 cu ft
- Solairus Aviation: AFW based Gulfstream GIV-SP charter sheet (Jul 2020): seats 14, sleeps 6, forward galley, forward and aft lavatories, aft stateroom with hard door, baggage 169 cu ft
- EASA: Type Certificate Data Sheet EASA.IM.A.070, Issue 13 (Aug 2026), Section 5 Gulfstream G-IV: FAA TCDS A12EA referenced; FAA certification 22 April 1987; EASA/JAA 20 October 2001; GIV-SP is S/N 1000 to 1213 with ASC 190 and S/N 1214 to 1499
- Wikipedia: Gulfstream IV: first flight 19 September 1985, FAA certification 22 April 1987, entered service with S/N 1000 in 1987, GIV-SP from S/N 1214 in 1993, G400 from S/N 1500
- Hagerty Jet Group via AircraftDealer: 2002 Gulfstream GIV-SP N119AF S/N 1489 specifications (Aug 2025): 13 passengers, aft galley, forward crew lavatory and aft lavatory, SwiftBroadband
- CRAFT: Gulfstream GIV-SP specifications (Oct 2026): cabin width 7 ft 4 in
- CRAFT: Gulfstream G450 ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026): $13,218 per flight hour at 200 hours a year
- Jet Evolution via AviationTrader (Controller listing 257793937): 2002 Gulfstream GIV-SP N816SP S/N 1452 (2026): up to 12 passengers, aft galley, one aft lavatory, Gogo Avance L5, baggage accessible in flight
- Jetcraft: 2000 Gulfstream GIV-SP S/N 1398 specifications (Jun 2026): 13 passengers, two-place club opposite a three-place divan, aft galley, aft lavatory, jump seat
- Guardian Jet: 2001 Gulfstream GIV-SP N502PC S/N 1435 specifications (Aug 2023): large baggage compartment, accessible in flight from the aft lavatory
- Guardian Jet: 2001 Gulfstream GIV-SP N877A S/N 1461 specifications (Dec 2025): 13 passengers, aft galley with microwave, convection oven and ice drawer, ATG 4000
- Aviation Safety Network: Gulfstream G-IV N121JM, S/N 1399, built 2000, Bedford, 31 May 2014
- CRAFT: Gulfstream G450 specifications (Oct 2026): range 4,350 nm at Mach 0.80, 8 passengers, 3 crew, NBAA IFR reserves
- GlobalAir: Gulfstream IV-SP specifications (Nov 2026): internal baggage 169 cu ft
- Jetcraft: Gulfstream G450 overview, 2005 to present (Mar 2017): Tay Mk 611-8C with FADEC, 13,850 lb thrust, MTOW 74,600 lb, takeoff 5,600 ft, PlaneView avionics
- Aviation Safety Network: Gulfstream G-IVSP HI1050, S/N 1482, Santo Domingo, 15 December 2021 (CIAA preliminary report, Jan 2022)
- NTSB: Gulfstream G-IV N121JM, Bedford, Massachusetts, 31 May 2014, report AAR-15-03
- BEA: Accident on 13 July 2012 at Le Castellet aerodrome, Gulfstream G-IV N823GA, final report (Oct 2015)
- Business Jet Traveler: Gulfstream G IV SP (2026): 30 on the market, asking prices $2.3M to $6.5M, average ask $4.4M
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