It’s been 22 years since the world-famous supersonic passenger jet Concorde was retired. The aircraft, developed by the UK and France, was an icon of our skies, and its speed meant destinations thousands of miles away could be reached far more quickly.
However, the aircraft today, described as the fastest passenger jet since Concorde, which British Airways and Air France operated, is very different. The Bombardier Global 7500 is a business jet, capable of carrying 18 passengers in “ultimate comfort”, according to private jet company Falcon which is adding the aircraft to its fleet. It has a top speed of up to Mach .94 and a baseline range of 7,700 nautical miles (14,260km).
Earlier this year, the Canadian manufacturer Bombardier announced the Global 7500 had set 100 speed records.
The century milestone was hit after one of the business jets flew from San Luis Obispo in California to London Biggin Hill Airport in 9 hours and 17 minutes, with an average speed of almost 621mph (nearly 1,000 km/hr).
To compare, direct passenger jet flights from California to London (LA to Heathrow, to be precise) take an average of 11 hours and 21 minutes. However, it is of course worth noting that these aircraft carry considerably more passengers.
The ultra-long-range Global 7500, which costs a reported £80 million, can also fly for up to 17 hours non-stop.
Private aviation firm Falcon has praised the jet’s comforts, including a 55-inch 4K TV, billed as the largest in the industry, and a private bedroom that includes a permanent double bed and en-suite shower.
Bombardier says the aircraft also offers high-speed internet.
The aircraft is the first business jet to have an Environmental Product Declaration.
It flies at up to 51,000 ft - a higher altitude than commercial aircraft - where the air is thinner, allowing for faster speeds while burning less fuel.
Bombardier’s new Global 8000 jet is set to enter service later this year. The company says it is expected to have an industry-leading range of 8,000 nautical miles and a top speed of Mach 0.94.
