The world’s fastest business jet — proudly built in Mississauga — has just pushed its limits even further. Bombardier’s Global 8000, already hailed as the “ultimate time machine” and the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde, now boasts a top operating speed of Mach 0.95 (about 1,164 km/h), making it the fastest business jet in aviation history.
The announcement was made Monday in Las Vegas at the National Business Aviation Association convention, where Bombardier unveiled the aircraft’s new top speed. Built at the company’s state-of-the-art $670-million Global Manufacturing Aircraft Assembly Centre at Toronto Pearson Airport, the Global 8000 is the crown jewel of Canada’s aviation industry.
When the aircraft completed its inaugural flight earlier this year, it was advertised with a top speed of Mach 0.94 (1,151 km/h). The upgrade to Mach 0.95 cements its position at the very peak of civil aviation performance. “This accomplishment for Bombardier is reflective of the remarkable expertise of every employee that has worked on the development of this industry-leading business jet,” said Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel.
Stephen McCullough, Bombardier’s senior vice-president of engineering and product development, said the aircraft is redefining the ultra-long-range market. “The Global 8000 was already the fastest business aircraft ever built and with this new speed capability, this incredible aircraft is set to redefine the ultra-long-range market,” he said. “This achievement underscores the significant contributions of our design, flight test and production teams, and showcases their unrelenting commitment to push the boundaries.”
The Global 8000 combines record-breaking speed with unmatched comfort. With a range of 14,816 kilometres — farther than any other business jet — and seating for 19 passengers, it’s designed to whisk travellers between major cities like Dubai and Houston, Singapore and Los Angeles, or London and Perth without stopping. Its short-field performance also allows it to land at smaller airports that other jets in its class can’t access.
The aircraft’s first flight earlier this year took off from Pearson Airport and landed in Waterloo, Ontario, completing a series of production test procedures with all systems performing as expected. It was then flown to Bombardier’s completion centre in Montreal, where the final interior touches are being applied ahead of its planned entry into service in the second half of 2025.
Bombardier has positioned the Global 8000 as the evolution of its successful Global 7500 aircraft, which debuted in 2018. Priced at approximately $78 million per jet, the Global 8000 has already turned heads in the global aviation market.
The aircraft’s blistering speed was first demonstrated in May 2021, when it briefly broke the sound barrier during a test flight, reaching Mach 1.015 (1,243 km/h) alongside a NASA-operated Boeing F-18. Only Gulfstream’s G700 and Bombardier’s own Global 7500 come close, with top speeds of Mach 0.925, while most commercial jets cruise at around Mach 0.85.
Bombardier’s 770,000-square-foot Mississauga assembly centre — the largest structure built at Pearson Airport in over 20 years — became fully operational in early 2024, further anchoring Mississauga’s role as a global hub for advanced aerospace manufacturing.