Full Speed Ahead

“Bombardier solidifies once more its position as the leader in business aviation with the newest member of the industry-leading Global family,” said Bombardier President and Chief Executive Officer Éric Martel amidst the fanfare of the Global 8000 aircraft’s official unveiling at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva earlier this year. “It 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.”

Need for Speed

To say that the Global 8000 jet helps Bombardier “remain unmatched" is an understatement: This is a history-making aircraft. With a top speed of Mach 0.94, the Global 8000 is the fastest business jet ever, and the fastest Canadian-built jet in more than five decades. It can fly faster and farther than any aircraft in its class, capable of more than 4,200 nautical miles (7,780 kilometers) at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.92. During its flight test campaign in 2021, accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 fighter aircraft, the Global 8000 repeatedly achieved top Mach numbers in excess of Mach 1.015. In other words, it has broken the sound barrier in testing, making it the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde.

According to Bombardier’s Senior Communications Director Mark Masluch, the Global 8000 aircraft was always built with speed top of mind. Breaking the sound barrier? That’s just part of the process. “We had to exceed [the sound barrier] in order to certify it at a [Maximum Mach Operation] of 0.94,” Masluch explained at EBACE. “It’s called envelope expansion: To guarantee an industry-leading top speed, you have to surpass it—you have to get to that supersonic threshold—to show in testing that the aircraft can still perform structurally. We only care that it’s the fastest if we also know it’s the safest.”

Going the Distance

Going faster than you ever thought possible is one thing, but faster and farther? Game changer. With the longest range in business aviation, the Global 8000 jet will unlock new city pairings like Dubai to Houston, London to Perth, and Singapore to Los Angeles. “This aircraft will take a true 8,000 nautical miles [14,816 kilometers],” said Masluch. “And this is with regular winds, passengers on board… we’re talking everyday, no-compromise performance.” This time-saving aircraft can fly Los Angeles to New York in less than 4.5 hours, averaging Mach 0.925 while reaching cruise speeds up to Mach 0.93. Such cruise capability at such astounding speeds also translates into intercontinental access all year round, connecting a key city like New York to virtually all of Europe faster than ever. And thanks to its best-in-class short field performance—a hallmark of the Global family—it can safely handle even the toughest airports, like London City or Gstaad’s Saanen airfield.

The key to having such long-range capability at such outrageous speeds lies in the extra thrust provided by its powerful twin GE Passport engines. But perhaps the most compelling reason the Global 8000 flies further than anyone else is experience. This aircraft is an evolution of its predecessor, the Global 7500. They share a lot of the same winning DNA: the design, the specs, the aerodynamics. With this in mind, Bombardier leveraged data from more than 100 Global 7500 deliveries to optimize the Global 8000 program and collaborated with key suppliers to secure tighter empty weight allocations, unlocking the enhanced performance and efficiency of this aircraft.

Worry-Free Oasis

Bombardier knew the Global 8000 jet wouldn’t be evolutionary if its speed and range came at the cost of comfort. This is a feel-good aircraft. It delivers the smoothest ride thanks to its iconic Smooth Flĕx Wing, whose ultra-thin design and high sweep angle ensure maximum control and agility at all speeds. With a cabin altitude of 2,900 feet, you feel like you’re strolling through Yosemite National Park as you gaze out the window at the views from above 41,000 feet. Speaking of air, the Global 8000 comes equipped with Bombardier’s signature Pũr Air system, whose hospital-grade HEPA filter cleans the cabin air of allergens, bacteria and viruses and completely replaces it in as little as 90 seconds. The cabin features four living spaces, including a dedicated crew suite, extra-large kitchen, and the cutting-edge Soleil circadian lighting system to help combat jet lag during even the longest of hauls. Add to that the industry’s fastest in-flight internet network, not to mention the award-winning Nuage seat, whose unique zero-gravity position is designed to reduce back pressure and improve circulation, and you may just move in full time.

But this aircraft doesn’t just feel good, it does good. Every step of the way, the Global 8000 jet was designed and built with sustainability as a focal point. Its high-speed transonic wing, for example, was designed to cut down on drag, which helps reduce fuel burn and lower emissions. The GE Passport engines were selected for their lowest emissions and best-in-class fuel burn. One way to reduce emissions even further? Fuel it with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In fact, during the demonstration flight, the Global 8000 jet became the first Transport Category airplane to fly supersonic with SAF.

The new aircraft is set to enter into service in 2025. Bombardier has announced that the current Global 7500 operators will be able to retrofit their aircraft to experience the performance enhancements of the Global 8000 aircraft—the flagship of a new era.