Gulfstream G500 Charter: Rent the fast Super Large Jet

The Gulfstream G500 is the updated version of the G450, with the successor flying faster and farther with more passengers and/or baggage than its predecessor.

In terms of range and speed, the G500 ranks in the middle of the existing Gulfstream portfolio. It also adds several new features to the Gulfstream private aircraft family, including fly-by-wire flight controls, a more pressure-optimized cabin, and contemporary in-cabin technical controls for comfort and entertainment. Compared to its predecessor, it surprises with stable operating costs despite improved performance: This is primarily due to the more efficient engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada, which replaced the Rolls-Royce engines of the G450.

The cabin is an impressive 12.65 meters long and features an open layout with enough space for 12 seats and a comfortable 3-seater sofa. The spacious swivel leather seats are equipped with a simple touchscreen control interface that can be used to control the lighting, temperature, and entertainment system. Alternatively, cabin control is also available via the Gulfstream app. The 14 large oval-shaped windows provide abundant daylight and offer breathtaking views.

Gulfstream jets such as the G500 are also in service as so-called "Special Mission Aircraft" in around 40 countries. According to the manufacturer, more than 200 aircraft have been delivered to date for medical or military use.

Advantages of a Gulfstream G500 as a rental aircraft:

Comfort-optimized: With 12 seats spread across three separate areas and up to eight sleeping accommodations, travelers will find optimal conditions for a comfortable flight. The G500's cabin is considered the quietest in business aviation, allowing relaxation or concentration in a quiet environment. Thanks to 100 percent fresh air and optimal cabin pressure, passengers arrive at their destination awake and refreshed.

Fast: With a maximum speed of 956 km/h, the agile Gulfstream puts many competitors in their place. In addition to the minor thrill of takeoff, the powerful engines have one practical benefit above all: They shorten travel time. For charter flights over long distances, this eliminates crew costs that would have to be budgeted additionally for slower or multi-stop flights.

Risk-taking: The G500 is a completely new development, replacing the G450 and its aging GIV platform. Together with its longer-range and larger sibling, the G600, it was the first new jet from the American aircraft manufacturer after almost 7 years of development. Consequently, expectations of commercial success for the luxury jet were high. Full order books soon gave the aircraft manufacturers the certainty that their willingness to take risks had paid off.

Best views: The fourteen oval windows, considered the largest in business aviation, provide the cabin with natural light and allow for sweeping views of the landscape. Whether travelers are gazing at the stars on night flights or at clouds and impressive terrain during the day, the modern business jet offers the best occasion to fully enjoy vistas as they present themselves. 

No competition: With the G500, Gulfstream landed in a previously largely unoccupied market segment: Its closest competitor, the Bombardier Global 5000, offers a comparable range and cabin size but is slower on the road. It also costs several million U.S. dollars more than the $47.5 million Gulfstream. 

Those who are not yet committed to a Gulfstream G500 as a rental aircraft will find possible alternatives in the Bombardier Global 5500 or Global 5000. The Global 5000 promises excellent availability, thanks to 238 sold, with possibly more affordable lease costs. However, one would have to accept an aging configuration and below-average performance. The Global 5500, on the other hand, is a state-of-the-art large business jet that is convincing in all respects. Only the low distribution of the latest large jet could be an obstacle: So far, only a few examples are available on the market. For Gulfstream fans with additional space requirements, the G600 could be the business jet of choice: its cabin is 1.12 meters longer.

The G500's outstanding position is also underscored by independent awards: in 2021, it won the International Yacht & Aviation Award in the "Interior Design/VIP Completions" category. 

Gulfstream Aerospace also received an innovation award for the introduction of the Symmetry Flight Deck on the G500 and the resulting safety improvements. The award was presented by the Business Intelligence Group, which recognizes global leaders for their vision and creativity.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does a Gulfstream G500 cost?

A used Gulfstream G500 is available starting from around 18 million U.S. dollars. New and ex-factory, the popular large business jet costs around US$47.5 million in the basic configuration.

How many passengers can fly in a Gulfstream G500?

Gulfstream lists 19 as the maximum passenger count of various models in its current fleet: G500, G600, G650/G650ER, G700, and G800. In practice, however, only a few examples are found that choose this configuration. Rental variants can generally be assumed to have between 12 and 14 seats. Due to the comparatively wide and high cabin dimensions, there is no shortage of space even when fully occupied.

How does the Gulfstream G500 differ from the Bombardier Global 5000?

The Bombardier Global 5000 and the Gulfstream G500 are competitors and target the same market. Compared to the newer Gulfstream, the Bombardier is somewhat aging. Aside from the Global 5000's slightly larger cabin, the fresher G500 dominates in almost all remaining comparative dimensions. Due to its later entry into the market, the G500 has a much more modern and technologically advanced cabin and cockpit.

It also has the lead when it comes to fuel consumption: on average, the G500 consumes 379 liters less per hour. This difference is significant and also has a major impact on rental costs. In terms of cruising speed, the faster Gulfstream also promises a time saving of around 20 minutes when traveling from Western Europe to the USA. With comparable availability and charter costs, the G500 is the better choice.

How many Gulfstream G500 jets have been sold so far?

A total of 60 Gulfstream G500 business jets have been built to date. It is easy to confuse this successful jet with the G-500, which was built from 2006 to 2008. However, due to poor sales figures, production was discontinued. The current variant is easy to identify by its serial number beginning with the number 7. The first delivery of a G500 took place in September 2018, with the larger G600 variant completing the portfolio about a year later.

Which airports can be served by a Gulfstream G500 jet?

Thanks to its high-thrust engines and aerodynamic wings, the G500 is designed for effortless takeoffs and landings on short runways and for high-altitude airports. The powerful Gulfstream also masters steep approaches to challenging airports such as London City Airport in England or Lugano and Sion airports in Switzerland with great ease.