Bombardier’s new Global 8000 aircraft stands alone as the world’s fastest and longest-range purpose-built business jet.The aviation industry is bracing itself.
By Dylan Rogers
In approximately two years Bombardier will enter into service an aircraft it believes will change the face of business aviation.
The Global 8000 is the newest member of its business jet portfolio and when it officially takes to the skies in 2025, it’ll be the world’s fastest and longest-range purpose-built business jet, with a top speed of Mach 0.94 and a range of 8,000 nautical miles.
Fastest, Longest & Healthiest
Bombardier can make these claims after conducting extensive testing over the past few years. This included a demonstration flight in May 2021 with a Global 7500 flight test vehicle. The aircraft, accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane, repeatably 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 (SAF).
“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, at the launch.
That new member can efficiently transport customers to a wide variety of destinations and the extended range means even more exclusive city pairs are now achievable, including Dubai-Houston, Singapore-Los Angeles, London-Perth and many others.
Bombardier also believes the Global 8000 will be the healthiest cabin in the industry, with the lowest cabin altitude in its class of 2,900ft when flying at 41,000ft. It is also equipped with Bombardier’s Pũr Air and advanced HEPA filter technology for the cleanest cabin air and the fastest fresh air replacement.
Onboard
Clean air aside, the Global 8000 has four spacious personalised suites, ergonomically designed to maximise space and freedom of movement, and it also incorporates some of the features introduced on the Global 7500 that markedly improved passenger comfort, including the Soleil circadian lighting system to help combat jet lag, coupled with the innovative Nuage Cubeseat with the first-ever zero gravity position.

Further enhancing comfort levels, the Global 8000’s Principal Suite has a full-size bed and stand-up shower in the en-suite bathroom, along with cutting-edge cabin entertainment control and connectivity, with the intuitive nice Touch CMS and OLED touch dial, and Bombardier’s l’Opéra directional audio sound system and available 4K monitor.
Executive Cabin
Ratcheting the anticipation of the arrival of the Global 8000 a notch further up was the October announcement that saw Bombardier unveil its new Executive cabin for the Global 7500 and Global 8000 aircraft.
It features a unique open office concept and spacious three workspace interior, “designed to maximise corporate collaboration, productivity and networking with fellow passengers”.
The new Executive cabin also introduces novel configuration and seating options, including the innovative Nuage Cube, a versatile piece of furnishing that during flight can be moved about the cabin and used as a seat, stool, or small table.
Potential customers of the Global 7500 and Global 8000 aircraft can also opt to configure their aircraft with four living spaces if preferred.
“The new Executive cabin provides Global 7500 and Global 8000 customers with the productivity configuration they need to transform their aircraft into the ultimate business tool – the most impressive corporate purpose-built business jets in the skies today,” said Martel.

The Executive cabin’s office suite is equipped with four Nuage seats, features the most leg room in its class, and each seat boasts its own large side table for a highly efficient workspace. The Executive cabin’s conference suite is designed to maximise productivity with its efficient, elegant conference grouping, opposite an ultra-large credenza with an integrated flip-up monitor – the perfect videoconference or presentation option.
And finally, to facilitate confidential conversations and for added privacy, the C-Suite provides an ideal location to review a presentation, host a private conversation, or take a moment to relax and freshen up following a long journey.
Up Front
It’s not just ‘at the back’ that the Global 8000 is seriously impressive.
In the cockpit, the aircraft features the renowned Bombardier Vision flight deck with its “next generation fly-by-wire technology and blend of cutting-edge avionics with exceptional ergonomics and aesthetics for comfort and control.”
Expected to enter service in 2025, the Global 8000 development is ongoing, whilst the good news for current Global 7500 operators is that the performance enhancements will be retrofittable when the aircraft enters into service in two years’ time.
In further good news for Bombardier, November saw the announcement that NetJets would become the fleet launch customer for the Global 8000. NetJets has placed a new firm order for four Global 8000 aircraft, valued at USD312 million (R5.68bn), and converted eight existing orders for Bombardier products. NetJets will build a 24-strong fleet of the Global 8000, as they will also be working with Bombardier to upgrade the entire in-service Global 7500 fleet to Global 8000 jets when they begin taking delivery of its new flagship aircraft.

Conclusion
Whatever your business aviation needs, Bombardier’s Global 8000 looks to tick all the boxes. But, at USD78 million (R1.42bn) it doesn’t come cheap. I guess you pay for what you get and what the Global 8000 offers is plenty.
Global 8000
- World’s fastest business jet – Mach 0.94
- Fastest Canadian-built aircraft in over 50 years
- Capable of 4,200 NM at average cruise speed of Mach 0.92
- Longest-range purpose-built business jet – 8,000 nautical miles
- Healthiest cabin
- Lowest cabin altitude in industry
Global 8000 Onboard Features
- New Executive Cabin with open office
- Bombardier’s Pũr Air and advanced HEPA filter technology
- Four spacious personalized suites
- Innovative NuageCubeseat with the first-ever zero gravity position
- Nice Touch CMS and OLED touch dial
- Bombardier’s l’Opéra directional audio sound system & 4K monitor