Updated September 2026
The Gulfstream IV is a large-cabin, long-range heavy jet built for transatlantic and transcontinental missions. Often called the GIV or Gulfstream G4, it carries up to 13 passengers in a stand-up cabin and cruises near Mach 0.80. For more than three decades, the Gulfstream 4 has set the benchmark for how far, how fast, and how comfortably a private aircraft can fly.
What Is the Gulfstream IV?
The Gulfstream IV first flew on September 19, 1985, from Savannah, Georgia, according to Gulfstream IV production records. It earned FAA type certification on April 22, 1987. The aircraft quickly became the choice of corporations, heads of state, and private travelers who needed to cross oceans without stopping.
The GIV is widely credited as the first business jet with an all-glass EFIS (electronic flight instrument system) cockpit, according to Gulfstream IV history. Gulfstream built 196 original GIV aircraft, and about 153 remained in operation as of 2023. The improved GIV-SP followed, with 304 built.
The wider GIV family, including the later Gulfstream G450, exceeded 900 units before its production run ended on January 19, 2018, Gulfstream IV records show, roughly 30 years after the first flight. The lineage runs deep. The GIV and GIV-SP gave rise to the G300, the G400 (a GIV-SP redesignation), and the G450 (a GIV-SP upgrade), while the G350 is a shorter-range G450, as Gulfstream’s model history shows.
That legacy still matters. The Gulfstream IV proved that a private aircraft could reliably link New York and London, or Los Angeles and Honolulu, on a single tank of fuel. That capability reshaped expectations for the entire heavy jet category.
Still in Service: Hurricane Surveillance and Military Missions
The Gulfstream IV’s endurance keeps it working in demanding roles. NOAA operates a GIV-SP, tail number N49RF, as a hurricane-surveillance aircraft that flies at 45,000 feet with roughly 4,000 nautical miles of range, according to NOAA Aircraft Operations. It has flown Atlantic hurricane missions since 1997, per NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters.
The type also served in the military as the C-20F, C-20G, C-20H, and C-20J, according to Gulfstream IV service history. The U.S. Navy describes the C-20G as capable of “all-weather, long-range, high-speed, non-stop transoceanic flights,” per Naval Air Systems Command.
Gulfstream IV Specifications and Performance
For the Client, specifications translate directly into range, comfort, and schedule control. The Gulfstream IV pairs a 4,200-nautical-mile range with a 45,000-foot service ceiling, so it flies above most commercial traffic and weather. The figures below reflect Magellan Jets’ internal data for the type.
Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
Class / category | Heavy Jet (large-cabin, long-range) |
Passengers | Up to 13 |
Cabin dimensions | 45 ft 1 in long, 6 ft 2 in tall, 7 ft 3 in wide |
Cabin volume | 1,658 cu ft |
Range | 4,200 nm (Gulfstream IV); about 4,166 nm (GIV-SP) |
Service ceiling | 45,000 ft |
High-speed cruise | About Mach 0.80 (roughly 470 knots) |
Engines | Two Rolls-Royce Tay turbofans |
Crew | Two |
In practical terms, the GIV connects the U.S. East Coast with Europe nonstop, and it crosses the continental United States with room to spare. Two Rolls-Royce Tay turbofans deliver a high-speed cruise near Mach 0.80, roughly 470 knots. A cabin volume of 1,658 cubic feet gives passengers space to work, dine, and rest across a long journey.
Inside the Cabin: The Gulfstream IV Experience
The Gulfstream IV cabin measures 45 feet 1 inch long, 6 feet 2 inches tall, and 7 feet 3 inches wide. That stand-up height and width let passengers move freely on flights that can run eight hours or more. Most configurations seat up to 13 across distinct zones for meetings, meals, and rest.
For Private Clients, the cabin turns a long mission into productive time. Berthable seating, a full galley, and a private lavatory support transoceanic schedules, so a red-eye to Europe becomes an opportunity to arrive rested. Magellan Jets designs each journey around the Client, coordinating catering, ground transportation, and cabin preferences before wheels-up.
Chartering a Gulfstream IV Today
The Gulfstream IV remains a practical choice for long-range travel, and Magellan Jets sources the right heavy jet for each mission through On-Demand Charter. As an asset-light private aviation solutions provider, Magellan Jets does not own or operate aircraft. It matches Private Clients with vetted operators from the Magellan Jets Preferred Network, an exclusive group of fewer than 100 operators out of roughly 3,000 licensed in the United States.
Heavy jet travel aboard a Gulfstream IV or a comparable aircraft starts from an estimated $12,989 per hour. This is an estimated hourly rate for Heavy Jet charter, inclusive of fuel. It does not include contingencies such as de-icing, positioning, overnight fees, or other trip-specific costs. Final pricing is confirmed at time of quote.
For Private Clients who fly often, a Jet Card locks in capped hourly rates and guaranteed availability 365 days a year. Those weighing ownership can rely on the Magellan Jets Aircraft Sales & Management team for acquisition and oversight. Because Magellan Jets owns no fleet, every recommendation serves the Client’s mission, not fleet utilization.
Every Gulfstream IV mission carries the same commitment. A dedicated Private Aviation Advisor plans the trip, and a Client Experience team coordinates the details on the day of travel. That approach has carried Private Clients to more than 100 countries and earned Magellan Jets a 4.9-out-of-5 Client satisfaction rating.
How the Gulfstream IV Compares to Newer Gulfstreams
The Gulfstream IV established the template that newer models refined. The Gulfstream G450 is a direct GIV-SP upgrade, adding gains in range and avionics. The Gulfstream G550 and Gulfstream G650 extend range much further, with the G650 reaching intercontinental city pairs the GIV was never designed to fly nonstop.
The GIV still fits a clear profile. It suits Private Clients who value proven long-range capability and a large cabin at a heavy jet rate below that of the newest ultra-long-range types. A well-maintained Gulfstream IV also keeps a broad base of qualified operators, which supports availability on short notice. For a New York to London crossing or a coast-to-coast mission, the Gulfstream 4 continues to deliver dependable performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Gulfstream IV (FAQs):
What Is the Gulfstream IV?
The Gulfstream IV is a large-cabin, long-range heavy jet produced by Gulfstream Aerospace. It carries up to 13 passengers and flies transatlantic and transcontinental missions nonstop. Known as the GIV or Gulfstream G4, it built its reputation on range, cabin size, and reliability.
What Is the Range of the Gulfstream IV, and Can It Cross the Atlantic?
The Gulfstream IV has a range of 4,200 nautical miles, and the GIV-SP variant reaches about 4,166 nautical miles. That range allows nonstop crossings such as New York to London. NOAA has flown a GIV-SP on Atlantic hurricane missions since 1997, which underscores the type’s long-range endurance.
How Many Passengers Does a Gulfstream IV Seat?
Most Gulfstream IV configurations seat up to 13 passengers. The cabin divides into distinct zones for working, dining, and resting. Exact seating depends on how the individual aircraft is configured.
How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Gulfstream IV?
Heavy jet travel aboard a Gulfstream IV starts from an estimated $12,989 per hour. This is an estimated hourly rate for Heavy Jet charter, inclusive of fuel. It does not include contingencies such as de-icing, positioning, overnight fees, or other trip-specific costs. Magellan Jets confirms exact pricing for each mission at time of quote.
Is the Gulfstream IV Still a Good Aircraft Given Its Age?
Yes. Airworthiness depends on maintenance and operator standards, not the year of manufacture. Magellan Jets leads with safety, sourcing only from operators in its Preferred Network who meet rigorous vetting under Part 135, the FAA regulations governing on-demand charter operations. You can review the Magellan Jets safety standards for the full approach.
How Does the Gulfstream IV Compare to Newer Gulfstream Models (G450, G550, G650)?
The Gulfstream G450 is a direct upgrade of the GIV-SP, with improved range and avionics. The Gulfstream G550 and Gulfstream G650 fly considerably farther, reaching city pairs beyond the GIV’s design range. The Gulfstream IV still offers a large cabin and proven transatlantic capability at a lower hourly rate than the newest models.
The Gulfstream IV earned its reputation the hard way, by crossing oceans reliably for more than 30 years. It remains a confident choice for Private Clients who want range, cabin space, and proven performance on their next long-range journey. Tell us where you need to be, and Magellan Jets will match you with the right heavy jet and stand behind every detail of the mission.
