Bombardier celebrates delivery of first Global 8000 to launch customer NetJets
March 26, 2026
Bombardier has announced that it has delivered the first of 24 Global 8000 business jets to the type’s launch customer, NetJets. As the fastest aircraft in its class, the Global 8000 introduces NetJets customers to the Canadian manufacturer’s largest business aircraft to date, as the fractional jet business introduces the most luxurious plane in the Bombardier product range.
Bombardier hands over the first Global 8000 for launch customer NetJets
Bombardier has handed over the first Global 8000 business jet to NetJets, marking the launch customer’s induction of a new fleet of the type. The delivery ceremony took place at Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre located in Montreal, in front of hundreds of employees, NetJets senior management, and other special guests.
The delivery comes just over three years after NetJets placed its initial order for the type, as the company starts the process of building a 24-strong fleet of Global 8000aircraft.
The company will be working with Bombardier to upgrade its entire in-service Global 7500 fleet to Global 8000 jets. NetJets added that it could subsequently grow its fleet through a series of options it currently holds that could be exercised progressively over the coming years.
The delivery marks the second ever for the Global 8000 business jet. On 8 December, Bombardier celebrated the entry into service of its Global 8000 business aircraft during a special event held at its aircraft assembly centre in Mississauga, Ontario (Canada). The aircraft was handed over to launch operator Chartwright, who also launched the Global 7500 previously.
Upon receiving the keys to NetJets’s first Global 8000, Patrick Gallagher, the company’s President, said that through its long-term partnership with Bombardier, the companies shared a vision for excellence and innovation in business aviation.
He added that with the introduction of the Global 8000, NetJets was proud to be able to offer the aircraft to its customers and that the type would bring its customers a safe aircraft offering a truly smooth ride and an exemplary level of service.
“We are thrilled to be providing our longtime, valued partner NetJets with its first Global 8000 aircraft,” responded Éric Martel, President and CEO, Bombardier. “With this landmark first delivery, NetJets’ clients will now be able to experience the revolutionary performance attributes and unmatched luxury the Global 8000 delivers,” he added.
The Global 8000 – “the fastest civil aircraft since Concorde”
First announced in May 2022 at EBACE in Geneva, the first Global 8000 rolled off the final assembly line in April 2025. With its inaugural flight completed in May 2025, the type received Transport Canada Type Certification in November, paving the way for the first delivery to a customer in December last year.
The Global 8000 is described by the company as “the world’s fastest civil aircraft since Concorde.” With a cruise speed of Mach 0.95 (627 mph or 1,10 kph), the aircraft can connect two cities faster than any other aircraft, says Bombardier. With its four-zone cabin (a first in its class), the aircraft features four internal living spaces as well as a separate crew rest area.
The Global 8000 offers a range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km), while it retains the ability to operate from shorter runways with take-off and landing performance comparable to that of a light jet.
Bombardier adds that with the company having redesigned the cabin environment on board the Global 8000, the cabin has an altitude of just 2,691ft at a cruise altitude of 41,000ft, eradicating the effects of jet lag and maximising cabin comfort.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certifications for the Global 8000 remain pending, but both are expected shortly.
NetJets – a world leader in business aviation
As an American private aviation company and the world’s largest operator of business jets, NetJets was founded in 1964 and is now owned by Berkshire Hathaway. The company is currently the world’s largest private jet operator.
The company pioneered the concept of fractional jet ownership, allowing customers to buy shares in an aircraft instead of owning one outright. NetJets operates a current fleet of over 800 aircraft and serves thousands of airports worldwide.
Featured image: Bombardier
