Forward-looking: It's a bummer that, more than two decades later, commercial flights still can't touch the Concorde's blistering speeds. Today's airliners cruise between Mach 0.74 and 0.85 – the sweet spot for fuel efficiency. But that's a far cry from the Concorde's incredible top speed of Mach 2.04. Will we ever experience those 3.5-hour jaunts from London to New York again? Not anytime soon, unfortunately. Still, one Canadian aerospace company is bringing us closer than ever to reliving that dream – at least in the realm of private jets.
Not many have heard of Bombardier, a business jet manufacturer headquartered in Montreal. The company trails the likes of Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer in sales volume, though it's still considered a leader in the business jet segment, especially at the high end.
Bombardier's new flagship, the Global 8000, is a near-supersonic private jet inspired by the Concorde. It promises stunning speed and an extraordinary range – all while pampering passengers with luxury amenities usually found in five-star hotels.
Set to become the fastest civilian aircraft since the Concorde's retirement, the Global 8000 boasts a top speed of Mach 0.94 (1,152 km/h) – just a whisker shy of breaking the sound barrier.
But it's not just about raw speed. This jet is a true globetrotter, with a jaw-dropping range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km). That's enough to fly nonstop from New York to Sydney – with fuel to spare.
Stephen McCullough, Bombardier's Senior VP of Engineering and Product Development, explained that the company focused on what matters most to customers: range, speed, and comfort. "We asked ourselves, 'What can we do?'" he said.
The result – beyond the impressive numbers – is the innovative "Smooth Flex Wing" design, which essentially functions as two wings in one. It features a high-speed wing for speed and long-range cruising, plus a high-lift wing that enhances low-speed agility and dampens turbulence.
Inside, the Global 8000 offers plush interiors divided into four distinct living zones, including a luxurious Principal Suite with a full bed and optional shower. Bombardier has also equipped the cabin with its signature Nuage seats, designed to provide a weightless "zero-gravity" sensation that helps reduce back strain on long-haul flights. Passengers are surrounded by cutting-edge tech, including a system that lets them choose between fresh outside air or recirculated cabin air.
One major perk designed to reduce jet lag is the aircraft's low cabin altitude. It's pressurized to just 2,900 feet – even when flying above 40,000 feet – making it the lowest cabin altitude in its class, according to Bombardier.
Perhaps most importantly for busy executives, the Global 8000 can access significantly more airports than its competitors: 1,900 more in wet conditions, and a staggering 2,050 more when dry.
The jet is scheduled to enter service in the second half of 2025.
Bombardier's Global 8000 aims to be the fastest civilian jet since the Concorde
