Bombardier’s Global 8000 business jet has set a new speed record on a flight from Los Angeles to Farnborough, UK, completing the journey in 8 hours and 46 minutes despite unfavorable winds.
The flight was completed ahead of the jet’s debut at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow, where it took part in its first aerial displays.
The Canadian-built aircraft reached a top speed of Mach 0.93 during the mission, making the trip 2.2 percent faster than the previous citypair record. Bombardier described the Global 8000 as the world’s fastest civil aircraft since Concorde. The business jet has a top speed of Mach 0.95 and a maximum range of 8,000 nautical miles.
The record-setting aircraft departed Los Angeles before flying approximately 5,400 miles to Farnborough, overcoming challenging wind conditions along the route.
“This new speed record illustrates the truly special attributes of this incredible aircraft, the industry leader in terms of speed, agility and performance.
“Speed is without a doubt the Global 8000’s calling card, and this latest accomplishment aptly underscores what sets this aircraft apart – the ability to bring the world closer and closer than ever before,” said executive vice president of Bombardier, Stephen McCullough.
Alongside its speed and range, Bombardier revealed the aircraft offers a cabin altitude of 2,691 feet, among the lowest available in a production business jet. Its takeoff and landing performance is also designed to provide access to airports that may be unavailable to comparable long-range aircraft.
Bombardier has also announced that the Global 8000 has received an Environmental Product Declaration, or EPD, covering the aircraft’s environmental footprint throughout its lifecycle.
The declaration assesses emissions and environmental impacts across the value chain, beginning with raw material extraction and continuing through aircraft manufacturing, operation and eventual end-of-life.
The Global 8000 joins the Challenger 650, Challenger 3500, Global 5500, Global 6500 and Global 7500 as Bombardier aircraft carrying EPDs.
According to the company, it is the only business jet manufacturer to publicly disclose scientifically assessed environmental data for its in-production aircraft through such declarations.
Dr. Robert Gaunt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh.
