This article is based on an official press release from Bombardier.

Bombardier Global 8000 Secures FAA Certification, Claiming Title of World’s Fastest Business Jet

On December 19, 2025, Bombardier announced a significant milestone in civil aviation history: the flagship Global 8000 business jet has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certification. This approval clears the path for the aircraft to be registered and operated by United States customers, a critical demographic for the ultra-long-range jet market.

According to the company’s official statement, this certification follows approval from Transport Canada, which was granted earlier this year on November 5, 2025. The aircraft has officially entered service, with the first unit delivered to Canadian entrepreneur Patrick Dovigi, a long-time Bombardier client and the founder of GFL Environmental.

Marketed aggressively as the “world’s fastest business jet,” the Global 8000 introduces a top speed of Mach 0.95 and a range of 8,000 nautical miles, figures that Bombardier states set a new standard for the industry.

Certification and Entry into Service

The FAA certification marks the final regulatory hurdle for the Global 8000’s entry into the American market. While the aircraft had already secured Canadian certification, the US approval is vital for commercial viability given the volume of business jet ownership in the region. European certification via the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) remains pending.

The entry into service (EIS) was commemorated with the Delivery to Patrick Dovigi. In press materials, Bombardier highlighted this handover as a testament to the aircraft’s readiness for immediate global operations.

Technical Specifications and Performance

The Global 8000 is defined by performance metrics that push the boundaries of subsonic flight. Bombardier reports that the aircraft is capable of a top speed of Mach 0.95 (approximately 729 mph), making it the fastest purpose-built business jet currently in service.

During the development phase, the airframe demonstrated capabilities exceeding its operational limits. A modified Global 7500 test vehicle, utilized during the Global 8000’s research program, successfully broke the sound barrier.

“During development, a test vehicle… broke the sound barrier, reaching Mach 1.015 in a dive, accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane.”

, Summary of Bombardier testing data

Beyond speed, the aircraft offers an operational range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km). This range allows for non-stop connections between major global city pairs, such as Dubai to Houston, Singapore to Los Angeles, and London to Perth. The aircraft is powered by GE Passport 20 engines, each producing 18,920 lbs of thrust, designed to balance high-speed performance with fuel efficiency.

Cabin Innovations and Passenger Wellness

Bombardier has emphasized passenger health and comfort as key differentiators for the Global 8000. The aircraft features a cabin altitude of 2,900 feet when flying at 41,000 feet. According to manufacturer specifications, this is the lowest cabin altitude in the industry, a feature intended to reduce passenger fatigue and jet lag.

The cabin also integrates the Soleil Lighting System, which Bombardier describes as the industry’s first circadian rhythm-based lighting technology. This system utilizes Dynamic Daylight Simulation to adjust light intensity and warmth based on the destination’s time zone, aiding in the management of circadian rhythms during long-haul flights.

Additional interior features include:

• Nuage Seats: A patented seating architecture with a “tilt-link” system for a zero-gravity position.
• Bombardier Pũr Air: A hospital-grade HEPA filter system that refreshes cabin air every 90 seconds.
• Smooth Flĕx Wing: An aerodynamic design engineered to dampen turbulence and allow access to shorter runways (takeoff distance is listed at 5,760 ft).

AirPro News Analysis: The Ultra-Long-Range Landscape

The certification of the Global 8000 intensifies the competition in the ultra-long-range segment, primarily against the Gulfstream G800 and the Dassault Falcon 10X.

From a technical standpoint, Bombardier has secured the speed advantage. While the Gulfstream G800 matches the Global 8000’s 8,000 nm range, its top speed is listed at Mach 0.925. Similarly, the Dassault Falcon 10X offers a wider cabin (9 feet 1 inch compared to the Global 8000’s 8 feet) but trails in both range (7,500 nm) and top speed (Mach 0.925).

We observe that Bombardier is leveraging a unique retention strategy for this model: an upgrade path. Existing owners of the Global 7500 can retrofit their aircraft to meet Global 8000 performance specifications through a service bulletin. This protects the residual value of the previous flagship and prevents current customers from defecting to competitors while waiting for new delivery slots, which are reportedly backlogged into 2026 or 2027.

With a list price estimated between $78 million and $82 million, the Global 8000 is positioned at the very top of the market, trading on its “fastest” superlative to attract buyers who prioritize time savings and engineering prestige.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the top speed of the Bombardier Global 8000?

The aircraft has a top operational speed of Mach 0.95, making it the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde.

What is the range of the Global 8000?

It has a range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km), capable of connecting cities like London and Perth non-stop.

How much does the Global 8000 cost?

While final pricing depends on configuration, industry estimates place the list price between $78 million and $82 million USD.

Can Global 7500 owners upgrade to the Global 8000?

Yes. Bombardier offers a service bulletin that allows Global 7500 owners to retrofit their aircraft to match the Global 8000’s performance specifications.

Sources: Bombardier, Aviation International News, FlightGlobal, Simple Flying