The race to resume supersonic passenger flights decades after the retirement of Concorde was offered a glimmer of excitement on Monday when Bombardier revealed high-speed achievements while confirming the launch of the newest member of its industry-leading business jet portfolio.
The Canadian business jet manufacturer has unveiled the Global 8000 aircraft, the world’s fastest and longest-range purpose-built business jet, innovatively crafted with the industry’s healthiest cabin for safety, comfort, and performance beyond compromise.
The Global 8000 aircraft have the capacity for up to 19 passengers depending on the selected configuration, a range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,800 km), and a top speed of Mach 0.94 (1,160 km/h).
The aircraft’s design is based on the Bombardier’s Global 7500 flight test vehicle, which achieved speeds in excess of Mach 1.015 during flights accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane. The aircraft also became the first Transport Category airplane to fly supersonically with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) during the demonstration flight.
The Global 8000 business jet also features the healthiest cabin in the industry, with the lowest cabin altitude in its class of 2,900 feet when flying at 41,000 ft. It is also equipped with Bombardier’s Pũr Air and advanced HEPA filter technology for the cleanest air and the fastest fresh air replacement.
With its spacious four personalized suits ergonomically designed to maximize space and freedom of movement, the Global 8000 aircraft also incorporate the revolutionary features that dramatically improve passenger comfort, including the Soleil circadian lighting system to help combat jet lag.
“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’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “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.”
The Global 8000 aircraft is expected to enter service in 2025. For the current Global 7500 operators, the incredible performance enhancements on the Global 8000 will be retrofittable when the aircraft enters into service in 2025.