- Bombardier has delivered the first Global 8000 to NetJets, the launch fleet customer for the aircraft programme.
- NetJets plans a 24-aircraft Global 8000 fleet, alongside a programme to upgrade its in-service Global 7500 aircraft.
- The aircraft combines 8,000 nautical miles of range, Mach 0.95 speed and a four-zone cabin with Pũr Air, Soleil lighting and low cabin altitude.
Bombardier has delivered the first Global 8000 aircraft to NetJets, the programme’s launch customer. The handover took place at Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montreal in the presence of employees, NetJets leadership and invited guests.
The delivery marks the start of what is planned as a wider NetJets fleet build-up around the type. NetJets intends to build a 24-aircraft Global 8000 fleet. Bombardier also said it will work with NetJets to upgrade the operator’s entire in-service Global 7500 fleet to Global 8000 jets. The agreement also leaves room for further growth through options that could be exercised over the coming years.
“The Global 8000 is redefining the business aviation landscape with its unmatched performance, signature smooth ride and innovative design, and we are thrilled to be providing our longtime, valued partner NetJets with its first Global 8000 aircraft,” said Éric Martel, President and CEO, Bombardier. “With this landmark first delivery, NetJets’ clients will now be able to experience the revolutionary performance attributes and unmatched luxury the Global 8000 delivers.”
Patrick Gallagher, President, NetJets Aviation, said the aircraft fits directly with the operator’s long-standing partnership with Bombardier and its focus on safety, service and access.
He said the Global 8000’s range and features align with NetJets’ operating model and will allow owners to do more and miss less.
The Global 8000 is based on Bombardier’s Global 7500 platform, with the programme developed by extending the aircraft’s performance envelope rather than introducing a new airframe.
Earlier programme updates from Bombardier have positioned the aircraft at the top end of the ultra-long-range segment, combining higher speed capability with increased range.
Bombardier lists the aircraft’s range at 8,000 nautical miles, or about 16.75 hours, with a top speed of Mach 0.95, or 627 mph. That combination is aimed at expanding non-stop route options while also reducing travel time on long-range missions.
The airframer also says the aircraft remains unusually agile for its class, with take-off and landing performance comparable to that of a light jet. Its advanced wing design, including leading-edge slats, is stated to allow access to up to 30% more airports than its closest rival, equivalent to more than 2,000 destinations.
Inside the cabin, Bombardier positions the Global 8000 as the only true four-zone business jet with an 8,000 nautical mile range. It also claims the aircraft offers the longest seated length in its class. Among the cabin features highlighted are Bombardier’s Pũr Air System, Soleil circadian lighting system, and the lowest cabin altitude in production, all intended to improve passenger comfort and help reduce the effects of jet lag on long flights.
The first delivery gives Bombardier an operational entry point for the Global 8000 with one of business aviation’s largest fleet operators. For NetJets, the aircraft adds greater range and speed at the top end of its offering while setting up a broader fleet programme around the type.
Also Read: How India Taxes Business Aviation Out of Its Own Market
