Introduction to Bombardier Global Express Jet
The Bombardier Global Express is the jet that launched Bombardier's Global family. It was designed for long nonstop flights with a full cabin, and for a time it had the largest cabin of any business jet, until the Gulfstream G650 surpassed it.
Bombardier announced the Global Express in October 1991. It first flew on October 13, 1996, received Canadian type certification in July 1998, and entered service in July 1999. European and US approvals followed shortly after the Canadian one.
How the Bombardier Global Express is used for time-critical airport transfers
A long-range jet saves the most time on the long leg. The short trip between the airport and your final destination is where the time can slip away, especially in New York.
If your trip passes through JFK or Newark, BLADE's scheduled airport service flies between Manhattan and both airports in about 5 minutes, with seats from $195. For other New York area airports, BLADE also arranges private helicopter charters 24/7 between any combination of the region's private and commercial airports and heliports.
Design and Interior Features of Bombardier Global Express Jet
The Global Express is a clean-sheet design that draws on Bombardier's earlier Canadair Challenger 600 and CRJ regional jet. It shares their fuselage cross-section, paired with a new T-tail and a new wing. The wing is a supercritical design with 35 degrees of sweep and winglets.
Inside, the cabin offers an unobstructed length of about 48 feet. Compared with the Challenger, the floor is dropped by 2 inches to add width at shoulder height, and the windows were repositioned and made 25% larger.
A typical layout has three sections:
- A forward club section of four chairs
- A central four-seat conference grouping
- An aft section with a three-place divan facing two chairs
Most aircraft also have a forward galley, a crew rest seat and a crew lavatory. The cabin is pressurized to keep a cabin altitude of 4,500 feet up to 45,000 feet.
Performance and Specifications of Bombardier Global Express Jet
| Specification | Global Express (BD-700-1A10) |
|---|---|
| Range | 6,700 nm at Mach 0.80 |
| Maximum operating altitude | 51,000 ft |
| Passengers | 12 to 16 |
| Engines | 2 × BMW/Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofans |
| Avionics | Honeywell Primus 2000XP, six screens |
The range figure comes from the aircraft's European type certificate. Real range on any trip depends on passengers, baggage, weather and routing, so the operator will confirm whether a route can be flown nonstop.
Typical missions and real-world use cases of the Bombardier Global Express
The Global Express was built for intercontinental flying: long nonstop trips with a full cabin and a crew rest area. Its three cabin sections give passengers separate club, conference and lounge areas on the same flight.
The Global Express Family
The Global Express led to several variants:
- Global 5000: a slightly smaller, shorter-range version, introduced in 2005, with a range of 4,800 nautical miles at Mach 0.85.
- Global Express XRS: announced in October 2003, with more high-speed range, cabin upgrades and better takeoff performance.
- Global 6000: an upgrade of the XRS, in production from 2012, with the Bombardier Vision flight deck based on Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics.
- Global 5500 and Global 6500: unveiled in May 2018, with Rolls-Royce Pearl engines that burn less fuel.
- Global 7500 and Global 8000: larger, stretched models with longer range.
Maintenance and Safety of Bombardier Global Express Jet
The original Global Express is no longer built, so the aircraft flying today are pre-owned and vary in age and upgrades. When you charter one, the age of the aircraft, its avionics and its maintenance history are all reasonable questions to ask the operator.
Cost and Ownership of Bombardier Global Express Jet
Prices for a Global Express depend on its age, hours, maintenance history and upgrades, and they are set on the pre-owned market. Owning a jet this size also means the running costs of a large-cabin aircraft: crew, maintenance, insurance, hangar and fuel. Get figures for the specific aircraft before deciding.
Global Express jet vs other ultra-long-range business jets
Within Bombardier's own range, the Global Express sits between the shorter-range Global 5000 and the newer Global 6500 and 7500, which fly farther. The Global 6500, for example, has a range of 6,600 nautical miles at Mach 0.85 and a top speed of Mach 0.90. When comparing aircraft for a trip, look at the range needed for your route, the cabin layout and the age of the aircraft.
Future of Bombardier Global Express Jet
The Global Express has been succeeded in Bombardier's lineup by later Global models, such as the Global 5500 and Global 6500. Existing Global Express aircraft remain in service with owners and charter operators.
Chartering a Global Express with BLADE
BLADE arranges private charters of jets, helicopters and turboprops through BLADE Anywhere. Tell BLADE your route, date and group size, and BLADE finds a suitable aircraft from its operator partners. In the United States, all flights are operated by DOT/FAA-licensed carriers, and BLADE's safety team vets its operator partners. If a Global Express is not available for your date, BLADE can suggest other long-range jets. The private jet charter cost estimator on blade.com shows suitable aircraft and an estimated price for your airports and date.
FAQs about What Is An Bombardier Global Express Jet?
What is a Bombardier Global Express jet?
The Global Express is a large-cabin, long-range business jet designed and built by Bombardier. It entered service in July 1999.
What is the range of the Global Express?
Its type certificate gives a range of 6,700 nautical miles at Mach 0.80.
How many passengers can the Global Express carry?
It can accommodate 12 to 16 passengers, usually in three cabin sections.
What engines does the Global Express use?
The original Global Express is powered by two BMW/Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofans.
Is the Global Express still in production?
No. Later Global models, such as the Global 5500 and Global 6500, have succeeded it.