Bombardier Global 8000 Enters Service

Bombardier delivered the first ultra-long-range Global 8000 on Dec. 8, marking its entry into service. Patrick Dovigi, founder, president and CEO of environmental services company GFL, accepted the keys to the Global 8000 at a ceremony at Bombardier’s aircraft assembly facility at Pearson Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, near Toronto.

GFL traded in a 7,700-nm Global 7500 on Nov. 18 for the 8,000-nm range Global 8000. The entity also operates a 5,900-nm Global 5500. Dovigi said this is his eighth Bombardier product in 16 years.

The flagship Global 8000 achieved two distinctive milestones in the certification process: It increased its maximum operating speed to Mach 0.95 from Mach 0.94, making it the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde, and lowered the cabin altitude to 2,691 ft., which Bombardier says is the lowest in business aviation.

The lower cabin altitude along with the Pur Air purification and humidity control system and Soleil circadian lighting are designed to increase passenger comfort and reduce jet lag. Sleeping in this aircraft will feel like sleeping in your own bed, Bombardier CEO Éric Martel said. The cabin can be configured in four zones and seat up to 19 people.

The Global 8000 is powered by two GE Passport engines with 18,92-lbf thrust and features a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.92.

Transport Canada certified the aircraft on Nov. 5, with FAA and EASA certification expected in early 2026.

Martel pointed out that Bombardier employs 12,000 people in Canada and will have “a projected economic impact of $40 billion in GDP in the next five years,” adding that Bombardier represents “1% of all exports for Canada.”

In addition to longer range and better cabin altitude than the Global 7500, the Global 8000 offers better takeoff and landing performance, fuel efficiency, cabin connectivity and inflight entertainment. Bombardier is working on a service bulletin to enable Global 7500 operators to gain the performance of the Global 8000. Martel says modifications includes software and minimal hardware changes, such as outflow valves. The bulletin will cost about $3 million and take two weeks to accomplish.