Bombardier successfully completed the first flight of a production Global 8000 business jet on May 16. The aircraft took off from Toronto Pearson International Airport and performed a series of tests as part of its production flight test program.
According to Bombardier, all flight controls were engaged and systems performed as expected, keeping the Global 8000 on track for its planned entry into service later this year.
With a range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,800 km), the Global 8000 is Bombardier’s new flagship in business aviation.
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It is capable of flying at Mach 0.94 and reaching cruise altitudes of up to 51,000 feet, powered by two GE Aerospace Passport engines, each with 18,920 lb of thrust.
The aircraft is designed to accommodate up to 19 passengers, with four true cabin zones and a low cabin altitude of 880 meters for greater comfort.
The Global 8000 is based on the Global 7500 model, which entered service in 2018. Although initially conceived as a shorter-fuselage variant, Bombardier opted to retain the same fuselage and wing as the 7500, while improving the fuel system to extend its range.
First revealed in 2010, the Global 8000 program remained largely dormant until it was officially relaunched in 2022. Now, with the first production flight complete, the aircraft is entering the final stretch before entering the market.
The next step will be to transport the jet to Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Center in Montreal, where it will receive its internal equipment ahead of its scheduled entry into service in the second half of 2025.
Rival Gulfstream G800 is ahead
As is tradition, Bombardier is neck-and-neck with Gulfstream in the ultra-long-range business jet market.
But the US company, owned by General Dynamics, is slightly ahead at the moment. It already obtained type certification for the G800 from both the FAA and EASA in April.
In addition, the G650 replacement is capable of flying up to 8,200 nautical miles (15,186 km) nonstop.
