A heavy jet is what a Chicago trip calls for when the cabin needs to hold a large group comfortably for many hours.
Gulfstream introduced the Gulfstream III / G3 in 1980. It seats 14 to 19 with a published range of 3,650 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 442 knots. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 45,000 feet, 157 cubic feet of baggage volume and an enclosed lavatory.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Heavy Jet
- Manufacturer: Gulfstream Aerospace
- Year introduced: 1980
- Seating: 14 to 19
- Crew: 2
- Range: 3,650 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 442 knots
- Service ceiling: 45,000 feet
- Length: 83.1 feet
- Wingspan: 77.8 feet
- Height: 24.4 feet
- Baggage volume: 157 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the Gulfstream III Fits Chicago
For Chicago trips this aircraft earns its place on the shorter runs. With 3,650 nautical miles of published range, it covers trips from Chicago to destinations such as Boston, Miami and San Francisco, allowing for reserves and routing. Tower hours vary a great deal across the Chicago-area fields, and only Midway, DuPage and O’Hare are towered around the clock.
In Chicago this size of aircraft is usually discussed against Chicago Midway International (KMDW), DuPage Airport (KDPA), Gary/Chicago International (KGYY) and O’Hare (KORD), which carry the region’s longest runways and handle customs. Whether it can use a particular airport on your date is the operator’s performance calculation for that aircraft, that weight and that day, and your advisor will confirm it before anything is booked.
How Chicago Clients Use the Gulfstream III
Heavy jets carry larger Chicago groups a long way: transcontinental runs with a full cabin, the Caribbean, and the longer Mexico and European trips. Ten to sixteen seats is typical, with a cabin built for many hours rather than one.
Tell us the route, the passenger count and what is traveling with you, and your advisor will confirm whether this aircraft is the right fit or point you to a better one. We will also tell you which Chicago-area field makes the most sense for the trip.
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Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
- Estimated hourly rate: $7,000 to $9,000 (as of 9/2026)
Contact
Call an advisor at +1-888-987-5387 at any hour, or send the trip through our contact page. You can read how we check operators, crews and insurance on our safety page.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.