Bombardier Global 8000 sets first speed record, flying Montreal to Nice in six hours

Martel pointed to fleet utilisation data as a leading indicator of continued services momentum.

Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier said its Global 8000 has set its first official speed record, completing a flight from Montreal, Canada to Nice, France in just over six hours.

The aircraft was carrying passengers to the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The Global 8000 holds a top speed of Mach 0.95 and a range of 8,000 nautical miles, making it the fastest civil aircraft in production. The Montreal-Nice record is the first benchmark set by the type since entering service.

“Bombardier’s Global 8000 business jet is truly in a class by itself when it comes to speed, luxury and performance – setting the pace in the ultra-long-range class. With this latest accomplishment, the Global 8000 aircraft continue to illustrate its industry-leading attributes on all fronts, from its signature smooth ride to its outstanding performance and landing capabilities,” said Stephen McCullough, executive vice president of Engineering, Product Development and Bombardier Defense.

Beyond speed, the aircraft carries several performance distinctions. It holds the lowest cabin altitude in business aviation production at 2,691ft while cruising at 41,000ft, reducing physiological stress on passengers during long-haul flights.

Its wing design, featuring unique leading-edge slats, gives it take-off and landing performance comparable to a light jet and access to up to 30% more airports than its nearest rival.