Long Range Jet
Gulfstream G550
Range
6,750 NM
Cruise speed
488 kts
Seats
12-16
History
Gulfstream built the G550 from 2003 to 2021. Its two Rolls-Royce BR 710-C4-11 turbofans give a range of 6,750 nautical miles with IFR reserves and a cruise speed of 488 knots. Gulfstream added a seventh window on each side and moved the entry door slightly forward, which gives passengers more usable cabin length.
The flight deck is Gulfstream's PlaneView cockpit, built around Honeywell Primus Epic avionics and operated with cursor control devices. A head-up guidance system from Rockwell Collins came as standard, together with an Elbit enhanced vision system that gives the crew a clearer view of the runway and terrain when visibility is poor.
The G550 holds more than 40 route records between major cities, among them Tokyo to Paris, London to Hong Kong and New York to Dubai. It won the Robert J. Collier Trophy and was named 'Best Business Aircraft' in 2003. The National Business Aviation Association also listed it among the most reliable business aircraft, quoting a reliability rate of 99.9 per cent.
Technical Specifications
General information
| Model name | G550 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft category | long range jet |
| ICAO Designator | GLF5 |
| Start/End of Production | 2003 - 2021 |
| Number of pilot(s) | 2 |
Performances
| Range (with IFR reserves) | 6750 NM (12501 km) |
|---|---|
| Ferry range | 6975 NM (12919 km) |
| Cruise speed | 488 kts (904 km/h) |
| Max Operating Speed – VMO | 340 KIAS |
| Max Mach Operating Speed - MMO | Mach 0.89 |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed - LRC | 459 KTAS |
| Approach Speed | 128 kts |
| Takeoff Distance | 1801 m |
| Average Landing Distance | 844 m |
| Rate of Climb | 3650 ft/min |
| Service Ceiling | 51000 ft |
| Thrust | 15385 lbf |
Aircraft technology
| Engine type | Turbofan |
|---|---|
| Engine(s) | 2 x Rolls-Royce BR 710-C4-11 |
| Avionics | Primus Epic for Gulfstream PlaneView |
Dimensions and capacity
| Aircraft length | 29.38 m |
|---|---|
| Aircraft height | 7.86 m |
| Wing span | 28.5 m |
| Cabin height | 1.89 m (6.17 ft) |
| Cabin length | 15.27 m (50.08 ft) |
| Cabin width | 2.26 m (7.33 ft) |
| Baggage volume | 6.4 m3 |
| Seats (standard config) | 12-16 |
| Seats (max) | 19 |
| Suitcases | 14 |
| Carry-on luggage | 14 |
| Maximum payload | 2812 kg |
| Maximum TakeOff Weight - MTOW | 41368 kg |
| Maximum Landing Weight - MLW | 34155 kg |
| Fuel capacity | 23391 L |
FAQ
What distance can a G550 cover without a fuel stop?
With IFR reserves, the G550's range is 6,750 nautical miles (12,501 km). That is enough for London to Los Angeles, New York to Dubai or London to Singapore in a single leg. Its maximum payload of 2,812 kg is the other figure operators point to, because a long sector with a full cabin and luggage needs both range and lifting capacity.
How quickly does the G550 cruise?
Its standard cruise speed is 488 knots (904 km/h), and the maximum operating speed is Mach 0.89. At that pace a transatlantic sector from New York to London takes roughly seven hours. For the longest legs the aircraft can also fly at its long-range cruise speed of 459 knots, which trades a little time for distance.
How many people does the G550 seat, and how large is the cabin?
Standard layouts seat 12 to 16 passengers, and high-density versions take up to 19. The cabin is 15.27 m long, 2.26 m wide and 1.89 m high, so there is standing headroom throughout, and it can be divided into four separate areas. There is baggage space for around 14 suitcases and 14 carry-on bags, in 6.4 cubic metres.
Should I choose a G550 or a Bombardier Global 6000?
The Global 6000 has the larger cabin. Its extra cabin height gives it about 44 per cent more interior volume. The G550 can carry more passengers in its maximum layout and performs better on short runways, which can bring you closer to your final destination. Both cross continents non-stop at high speed, linking cities such as Edinburgh and Beijing or Guatemala City and Madrid.
Is the G550's range greater than the Falcon 7X's?
Yes, by a clear margin. The G550 is rated for 6,750 nautical miles with IFR reserves, while the Falcon 7X is rated for 5,950, a difference of roughly 1,480 km. On a route such as London to Singapore, that extra distance can mean flying direct in the G550 where the 7X might need to stop for fuel.
Is the G550 still built, and how easy is it to find one for charter?
Production has ended. Gulfstream announced the final G550 sale in June 2020 and delivered the aircraft in 2021, after a production run of about 17 years and over 600 aircraft handed over. Because so many were built, G550s remain easy to find, both for charter and on the resale market, and one is usually among the options for a long-range trip.
What does it cost to charter a G550?
There is no fixed rate. The price depends on the route, your travel dates, where the aircraft has to position from and which operator flies it. Hesper Jets prices every trip individually, so the quickest way to a firm figure is to send your itinerary to one of our advisors.
Gallery
Figures are published manufacturer data, shown for illustration only. Images are generated for this concept and show the G550 type, not a specific aircraft. Gulfstream and G550 are trademarks of their owner, used only to identify the aircraft.