Bombardier's Global 8000 flies faster, farther

The Global 8000 boasts a top speed of Mach 0.94, which makes it a few knots faster than its rivals, and a range of 8,000 nautical miles. That’s a 300-nm improvement over its predecessor, the Global 7500 with a top speed of Mach 0.925.

“Today, Bombardier solidifies once more its position as the leader in business aviation with the newest member of the industry-leading Global family,” said Éric Martel, Bombardier president and CEO. “The Global 8000 aircraft leverages the outstanding attributes of the Global 7500 aircraft, providing our customers with a flagship aircraft of a new era. We remain unmatched, which for an innovation-focused team like us, is great.”

Bombardier said the Global 8000’s capabilities were demonstrated in May 2021 when “the aircraft, accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane, [repeatedly] achieved speeds in excess of Mach 1.015, a key step in enabling a maximum Mach operating speed (MMO) of M0.94 and becoming the fastest business jet in the world and the fastest in civil aviation since the Concorde. During the demonstration flight, the aircraft also became the first Transport Category airplane to fly supersonic with sustainable aviation fuel.”

The Global 8000 also takes the crown for the lowest cabin altitude in its class—2,900 feet when flying at 41,000 feet—and is “equipped with Bombardier’s Pũr Air and advanced HEPA filter technology for the cleanest cabin air and the fastest fresh air replacement,” according to Bombardier.

On the inside, the aircraft offers a host of comfort and technical features like a full-size bed, stand-up shower, and advanced audio/visual and touch-screen equipment.

Bombardier said the Global 8000 will cost $78 million, up $3 million from the Global 7500. The aircraft is “expected to enter service in 2025, the Global 8000 aircraft development is ongoing, and the program is progressing to plan.” And good news for current Global 7500 operators: The “performance enhancements on the Global 8000 will be retrofittable when the aircraft enters into service in 2025.”