Bombardier has released that the first production Global 8000 aircraft has successfully completed its inaugural flight. This significant achievement took place on May 16, departing from Bombardier's aircraft assembly centre in Mississauga, Ontario. During the flight, the aircraft underwent a series of tests as part of the standard production flight test procedures.
The sleek and sophisticated jet was expertly piloted by Sandro Novelli, supported by co-pilot Charlie Honey and flight engineer Bhargav Bhavsar. All flight controls were engaged during the sortie, and both the aircraft and its systems performed precisely as anticipated.
This event represents the latest milestone in the ongoing development of Bombardier's Global 8000 programme. The Global 8000 flight test vehicle (FTV) has already surpassed expectations throughout its flight testing campaign. The first production aircraft is now set to proceed to Bombardier's Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montreal, where its bespoke interior will be completed ahead of the aircraft's expected entry into service in the latter half of 2025.
The new Global 8000 represents the evolution of the highly acclaimed Global 7500 aircraft, which has accrued over 250,000 flying hours and more than 200 deliveries since its entry into service in 2018. As the new flagship of Bombardier's fleet, the Global 8000 sets fresh benchmarks for performance and ride quality. With a top speed of Mach 0.94, it is the fastest civil aircraft since Concorde, and it offers the longest range in its class—an impressive 8,000 nautical miles for a four-zone business jet.
The Global 8000 is designed to connect distant city pairs with ease, including Dubai to Houston, Singapore to Los Angeles, and London to Perth. Its revolutionary ultra-high cruise speed of Mach 0.92 allows a range of up to 4,200 nautical miles at this average pace, enabling passengers to reach their destinations in significantly less time.
Moreover, Bombardier's Global 8000 boasts exceptional runway performance, rivalling that of much smaller light jets. Thanks to its innovative design and advanced engineering, the aircraft is capable of accessing smaller airports that are typically out of reach for others in its category—delivering unmatched flexibility for global business travellers.
