Speed, reach or living space? With Gulfstream recently delivering the first of its 8,200nm-range G800s, the editor ponders the possibilities offered by the latest ultra-long range business jets and the bizliner models that fall more or less into a similar price bracket
- Gulfstream G700: Maximum range: 7,750nm at Mach 0.85 with 8 passengers and 4 crew
Speed: maximum Mach 0.935; high-speed cruise Mach 0.90; long-range cruise Mach 0.85
Maximum altitude: 51,000ft
Cabin altitude: 2,840ft at 41,000ft
Take-off distance: 5,995ft at MTOW
Cabin dimensions: height 6ft 3in; width 8ft 2in; length 56ft 11in
- Gulfstream G800: Maximum range: 8,200nm at Mach 0.85 with 8 passengers and 4 crew
Speed: maximum Mach 0.935; high-speed cruise Mach 0.90; long-range cruise Mach 0.85
Maximum altitude: 51,000ft
Cabin altitude: 2,840ft at 41,000ft
Take-off distance: 5,812ft at MTOW
Cabin dimensions: height 6ft 3in; width 8ft 2in; length 46ft 10in
- Bombardier Global 7500: Maximum range: 7,700nm at Mach 0.85 with 8 passengers and 4 crew
Speed: maximum Mach 0.925; high-speed cruise Mach 0.90; typical cruise Mach 0.85
Maximum altitude: 51,000ft
Cabin altitude: 4,500ft
Take-off distance: 5,760ft at maximum take-off weight (MTOW)
Cabin dimensions: height 6ft 2in; width 8ft; length 54ft 5in
- Airbus ACJ320neo: Maximum range: 6,000nm with 25 passengers
Speed: maximum Mach 0.82
Maximum altitude: 41,000ft
Cabin altitude: below 6,400ft at 41,000ft
Take-off distance: 6,900ft
Cabin dimensions: height 7ft 5in; width 12ft 2in; length 89ft 10in
- Bombardier Global 8000: Maximum range: 8,000nm at Mach 0.85 with 8 passengers and 4 crew
Speed: maximum Mach 0.94; ultra-high speed cruise Mach 0.92; high-speed cruise Mach 0.90; typical cruise Mach 0.85
Maximum altitude: 51,000ft
Cabin altitude: 2,900ft at 41,000ft
Take-off distance: 5,760ft at MTOW
Cabin dimensions: height 6ft 2in; width 8ft; length 54ft 5in
- Dassault Falcon 8X: Maximum range: 6,450nm with 8 passengers
Speed: maximum Mach 0.90
Maximum altitude: 51,000ft
Cabin altitude: 3,900ft at 41,000ft
Take-off distance: 5,880ft at MTOW
Cabin dimensions: height 6ft 2in; width 7ft 8in; length 42ft 8in
- Boeing BBJ 737-7: Maximum range: 6,800nm with 4 passengers
Speed: maximum Mach 0.82; long-range cruise Mach 0.785
Maximum altitude: 41,000ft
Cabin altitude: 6,500ft at 41,000ft
Take-off distance: 6,820ft
Cabin dimensions: height 7ft 1in; width 11ft 7in; length 85ft 8in
- Dassault Falcon 10X: Maximum range: 7,500nm with 8 passengers
Speed: maximum Mach 0.925
Maximum altitude: 51,000ft
Cabin altitude: 3,000ft at 41,000ft
Take-off distance: less than 6,000ft at MTOW
Cabin dimensions: height 6ft 8in; width 9ft 1in; length 53ft 10in
- Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty: Maximum range: 5,650nm with 8 passengers
Speed: maximum Mach 0.82; cruise Mach 0.78
Maximum altitude: 41,000ft
Cabin altitude: 5,850ft at 41,000ft
Take-off distance: 4,800ft
Cabin dimensions: height 6ft 11in; width 10ft 8in; length 78ft 1in
How fast? How far? How comfortable? Business and VIP aviation is an industry of superlatives never better exemplified than by the extraordinary ultra-long range, large cabin jets and bizliners sitting at the pinnacle of civil aircraft development. While Bombardier, Dassault and Gulfstream compete in the ultra-long range, large cabin sector, Airbus Corporate Jets and Boeing Business Jets satisfy the needs of customers seeking the largest cabins of all.
There is a fundamental buying decision to be made between ultra-long range and bizliner, the former a purpose-designed, arguably more striking business aircraft, while the latter is a commercial airliner design repurposed for VIP use. The purchase prices of the smaller bizliners, including the ACJ TwoTwenty, ACJ319neo and ACJ320neo from Airbus, and BBJ 737 MAX from Boeing, are similar to those of the ultra-long range business jets, meaning potential customers must make careful choices based on mission type and whether outright performance or maximum living space defines their requirement.
How fast?
In terms of maximum speed, Bombardier’s forthcoming Global 8000 is the current champion at Mach 0.94, although both ultra-long range jets from Gulfstream, the G700 and G800 are certified to Mach 0.935. The reality in service is that operators would not expect to fly beyond the high-speed cruise Mach, which is identical at 0.90 for all three aircraft.
By no means slow, Bombardier’s Global 7500 is certified to Mach 0.925 and Dassault expects the same for its in-development Falcon 10X. The Global 7500’s high-speed cruise is, again, Mach 0.90 and just like the Global 8000, G700 and G800, its long-range cruise speed is Mach 0.85.
The airliner-based ACJ and BBJ models were not designed for such speed. The ACJ TwoTwenty, ACJ320neo and BBJ 737‑7 considered here are all certified to Mach 0.82 and cruise between Mach 0.78 and Mach 0.80.
If speed, especially over the longest sectors, where a small increase in Mach number makes a big difference in reduced flight time, is the most important mission parameter then the bizliners simply cannot compete. As one ultra-long range operator told the editor, “We can cruise at Mach 0.85 on the longest flights, reducing flight time and still returning good fuel burn.”
How far?
Among the ultra-long range jets, the Dassault Falcon 8X’s maximum reach of 6,450nm would have been remarkable not so long ago, but today is not in the same class as the 8,000nm Bombardier claims for the Global 8000 and 8,200nm for Gulfstream’s G800. Considered from a different point of view, the Globals and Gulfstreams here, and the Falcon 10X, can fly for 17 hours or more.
None of the bizliners listed can match that outright range performance, but they come close in real-world terms, considering that ultra-long range bizjet flights only occasionally reach the outer edges of the performance envelope. Aside from cabin space, where the bizliners excel over long ranges is in payload. Any one of those listed has considerably more volume and payload capacity available for baggage than the ultra-long range jets, begging the question not only how far do you want to go, but what do you want to take with you?
How comfortable?
All the aircraft described here are without doubt comfortable. The latest technologies keep their passengers and crew connected and, at least in the case of the folk riding in the back, entertained. Well-being is ensured through air filtration systems, humidification devices and regularly replaced cabin air. At this market position, cabin customisation is available to the highest extent and most minute of details, although a palette of standard layouts upon which to stamp one’s individualism is also usually available. These ultra-long range jets are themselves long, and that means plenty of fuselage space for windows and, therefore, lots of natural light in the cabin. Meanwhile, the latest LED lighting technologies ensure perfect illumination for every stage of flight, easing passengers between time zones and even employing circadian rhythm technology in the fight against jet lag.
A long fuselage also means a long cabin and for the Globals, G700 and Falcon 10X, that means space for four or even five distinct cabin zones, or living spaces. The Falcon 10X promises a taller and wider cabin than its competitors, but customers seeking the ultimate in cabin space are likely to gravitate towards the bizliners. The smallest of the bizliners here has a cabin more than 1ft 6in wider than the Falcon 10X, while the ACJ320neo wins out with a 12ft 2in-wide, 89ft 10in-long cabin. With so much space available, the imagination of cabin designers can be given full reign, although the more pragmatic operator might see the potential for installing different types of accommodation alongside the areas designed specifically for the principal.
In all cases, cabin humidification and reduced cabin altitude work to promote healthy flying by reducing the effects of pressure change and preventing dehydration. Pressurised aircraft cabins are by nature very dry and replacing lost humidity not only promotes health, it also means that one of the less obvious luxuries on a long flight – food – tastes better.
Another, perhaps less immediately obvious factor in comfort, is altitude. The Globals, Gulfstreams and Falcons are all capable of reaching 51,000ft, well above almost all weather and therefore ensuring the smoothest of rides. Flying up there also means they cruise clear of other traffic – the only other aircraft type you’re likely to see from the cabin windows of one of these is another Global, Gulfstream or Falcon, or possibly a U-2 spyplane.
Which of these aircraft is fastest? In real-world terms, there is nothing to choose between the long-range cruising speeds of the Globals, the Gulfstreams and the Falcon 10X. Which flies the farthest? All things being equal, the G800 just pips the Global 8000 by 200nm, but operators are seldom likely to reach those extremes. Which is the most comfortable? If space were the deciding factor, then the nothing here rivals the ACJ320neo, but technology and cabin design aside, comfort is entirely subjective and only the person signing the cheque can make that decision.