In brief
- A new Gulfstream V was worth approximately 36 million dollars in the late 1990s: this is the unit cost published by the US Air Force for its C-37A, the military version of the GV (in 1998 dollars).
- Used, the rare examples advertised in 2025 and 2026 are asking for approximately 10 to 11 million dollars, or 9 to 10 million euros at the exchange rate of October 13, 2026, according to broker advertisements.
- 193 units were built between 1995 and 2002. Range: 6,500 nautical miles (12,000 km), ceiling: 51,000 feet.
- Guinness Record: Mark Cuban bought a Gulfstream V online for 40 million dollars in October 1999.
- Its most famous owner today is Lionel Messi, whose aircraft is estimated at 15 million dollars.

The first ultra-long-range aircraft from the American brand, the Gulfstream V opened the era of business jets capable of crossing an ocean and a continent in a single flight. Thirty years after its first flight, it remains one of the most sought-after models on the used market, and one of the most publicised thanks to Lionel Messi’s private jet. Here is its new price, current value, and specifications.
How much does a Gulfstream V cost?
Gulfstream never released a public price list for the GV. The most solid official reference comes from the US military: the C-37A data sheet, the military version of the Gulfstream V used for transporting high-ranking officials, indicates a unit cost of 36 million dollars, expressed in constant 1998 dollars. This is the order of magnitude of the price of a new aircraft at the time, before inflation.
A private client often paid more once the cabin was fitted out to their taste. In October 1999, entrepreneur Mark Cuban paid 40 million dollars for a Gulfstream V, a transaction carried out entirely online: Guinness World Records still lists it as the largest e-commerce transaction in history.
Today, the GV is only traded on the used market. Broker advertisements noted in 2025 and 2026 for aircraft built between 1998 and 2000 show approximately 10 to 11 million dollars, or 9 to 10 million euros (at the ECB exchange rate of October 13, 2026, 1 euro for 1.1188 dollars). Most sellers do not publish their price, and the final amount depends on flight hours, engine condition, and major inspections performed.
The Gulfstream V in figures
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah (Georgia, United States) |
| First flight | November 28, 1995 |
| FAA Certification | April 11, 1997 |
| Production | 193 units, from 1995 to 2002 |
| Engines | 2 Rolls-Royce BR710, 65.6 kN thrust each |
| Range | 6,500 nautical miles (12,000 km) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.885 |
| Ceiling | 51,000 feet (15,545 m) |
| Dimensions | 29.4 m long, 28.5 m wingspan |
| Cabin | 13.4 m long, 1.88 m high |
| Reference new price | 36 million dollars (C-37A, 1998 dollars, US Air Force) |
| Used price | approximately 10 to 11 million dollars (2025-2026 advertisements) |
Why the GV changed business aviation
Upon its entry into service in 1997, the Gulfstream V, along with Bombardier’s Global Express, was among the very first business jets capable of flying more than 6,000 nautical miles. Its two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines and redesigned wing allowed it to cruise up to 51,000 feet, well above commercial traffic. The US Air Force made it its VIP liaison aircraft under the name C-37A, deployed from 1998.
Gulfstream stopped production in 2002 to make way for the G550, an improved version launched in 2003. This lineage explains the GV’s good performance on the used market: parts, maintenance, and expertise remain widely available.
Messi, the most famous owner
According to several reports, Lionel Messi has been travelling since 2018 aboard a Gulfstream V registered in Argentina, customised with the first names of his wife and sons on the steps and the number 10 on the tail fin. Its value is estimated at approximately 15 million dollars according to several estimates, an amount that includes customisation and exceeds the average value of used GVs. This is not the price of a new aircraft: the footballer’s jet is over twenty years old. All details about Lionel Messi’s private jet are gathered in our dedicated article.
Compared to the world’s most expensive jets
The Gulfstream V remains far from the top of our ranking of the world’s most expensive private jets. A new Gulfstream G700, its distant descendant, is priced around 78 million dollars, seven times the value of a used GV. The Bombardier Global 8000, also around 78 million, flies at Mach 0.95. At the very top, the Boeing BBJ 777-9 exceeds 400 million dollars before customisation. The GV offers intercontinental range for a fraction of these prices, making it a popular entry point into private long-haul travel.
What is a Gulfstream V worth today?
The last unit left the factory more than twenty years ago, and the fleet is shrinking. Buyers primarily examine flight hours, engine coverage by a manufacturer’s maintenance program, and the completion of major structural inspections, such as the 144-month inspection. An up-to-date aircraft can resell for more than 10 million dollars, a tired one much less. For aesthetics rather than price, discover the most beautiful private jets in the world.
Prices verified and updated on October 13, 2026. Sources: US Air Force (C-37A data sheet), Guinness World Records, Gulfstream Aerospace, business aviation broker advertisements, European Central Bank (exchange rates).
← Back to the ranking: The world’s most expensive private jetsAll luxury records, gathered on one page →


