The first production Bombardier Global 8000 private jet has successfully completed its first flight, clearing the way for its entry-into-service (EIS) in the second half of 2025.
Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier announced the feat on May 20, 2025, four days after the inaugural flight left its Aircraft Assembly Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
According to Bombardier, the Global 8000 conducted a series of checks as part of production flight test procedures.
Pilot Sandro Novelli, co-pilot Charlie Honey and flight engineer Bhargav Bhavsar tested all the aircraft’s flight controls with Bombardier confirming that everything “performed as expected”.
The first production Bombardier G8000 will soon travel to Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montreal where interior completions will take place.
“This first production flight marks yet another successful milestone for Bombardier’s Global 8000 program and we are very pleased with how the aircraft performed on its maiden journey,” said Stephen McCullough, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Product Development, Bombardier.
He added: “Having this first production aircraft take to the skies is another important step in this journey that will redefine the business aviation landscape.”
In an update on April 8, 2025, Bombardier said that assembly of the Global 8000 at the company’s final Aircraft Assembly Centre in Toronto was all “running smoothly”.
The moment #businessaviation has been waiting for — the first production Bombardier #Global8000 aircraft, has completed its maiden flight. 👇#CatchTheMach pic.twitter.com/D0cXzU8Rcq
— Bombardier (@Bombardier) May 20, 2025
The Global 8000 is the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde, with an industry-leading top speed of Mach 0.94 and range of 8,000 nautical miles.
“This first flight is a reflection of the dedication and high skill level of our engineering, production and flight teams to follow through and execute with precision and mastery at all stages of the manufacturing and flight-testing process,” said David Murray, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing, IT and Bombardier Operational Excellence System.
The Global 8000 aircraft remains to be finalized and certified this year.
