For years the longest-range business jets traded records a few hundred nautical miles at a time. In 2025 two aircraft finally pushed purpose-built private jets past the 8,000-nautical-mile mark and into customer hands: Gulfstream’s G800 and Bombardier’s Global 8000. They target the same buyer — someone who wants to fly Singapore to New York or London to Perth without a fuel stop — but they reach that goal in very different ways.
At a glance
- Both jets entered customer service in 2025.
- The Gulfstream G800 has the longest range of any purpose-built business jet: 8,200 nm.
- The Bombardier Global 8000 is the fastest, at Mach 0.95, with the larger four-zone cabin.
- Launch list prices: $71.5 million (G800) and about $78 million (Global 8000); completed aircraft cost more.
The headline numbers
| Gulfstream G800 | Bombardier Global 8000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Certification / service entry | FAA and EASA certified April 2025; first delivery August 2025 | Transport Canada certified November 2025, FAA December 2025; entered service December 2025 |
| Maximum range | 8,200 nm at Mach 0.85 | 8,000 nm |
| Maximum operating speed | Mach 0.935 | Mach 0.95 |
| Cabin altitude | 2,840 ft when cruising at 41,000 ft | 2,691 ft |
| Engines | Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 | GE Passport (18,920 lb thrust each) |
| Cabin layout | Up to four living areas, or three plus crew rest | Four living zones |
| List price at launch | $71.5 million (2021) | About $78 million (2022) |
Range: Gulfstream’s quiet victory
When the G800 was certified in April 2025, Gulfstream announced that it had beaten its own promise. The aircraft was approved with a range of 8,200 nm at its long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85 — 200 nm more than originally projected. Fly a little faster and the numbers stay impressive: 8,000 nm at Mach 0.87 and 7,000 nm at Mach 0.90. Certified runway figures also came in shorter than first announced, with a 5,812 ft balanced field length for take-off and a 3,105 ft landing distance, which opens up more airports.
The G800 is the successor to the G650, whose production ended in February 2025. It pairs a G650-sized fuselage with the wing, tail, flight deck and Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines of the larger G700. In other words, it is a slightly smaller cabin wrapped around Gulfstream’s newest technology, optimised for distance.
Speed: Bombardier’s headline
Bombardier took the opposite approach and built its flagship around velocity. The Global 8000 has a top speed of Mach 0.95, which Bombardier describes as the fastest of any civil aircraft since Concorde. The figure was raised from Mach 0.94 at the 2025 NBAA convention, shortly before the jet entered service on 8 December 2025. At its ultra-high-speed cruise of Mach 0.92 the aircraft can still cover around 4,200 nm, enough for most transatlantic missions in noticeably less time.
The Global 8000 is an evolution of the Global 7500, keeping its full-length fuselage and four-zone cabin. That has a useful side effect for existing owners: Bombardier has said Global 7500 operators will be able to retrofit their aircraft with the 8000’s performance upgrades.
Cabin: space versus distance
Inside, the Bombardier is the larger aircraft. Its cabin measures 54 ft 5 in long, 8 ft wide and 6 ft 2 in tall, enough for four distinct living areas plus a separate crew rest. Bombardier also claims the lowest cabin altitude in business aviation production at 2,691 ft, along with HEPA filtration and its Nuage seating.
The G800’s cabin is about ten feet shorter than the G700’s, with two fewer windows per side, but it still offers 16 of Gulfstream’s signature panoramic oval windows, 100% fresh air and a cabin altitude of 2,840 ft at 41,000 ft. It can seat up to 19 passengers depending on configuration.
Price: list is only the starting point
Gulfstream launched the G800 at $71.5 million in 2021, while Bombardier priced the Global 8000 at about $78 million when it was unveiled in 2022. Both figures are base list prices in their launch years. Completed aircraft — with a bespoke interior, connectivity and options — typically sell for considerably more, so buyers should compare fully specified quotes rather than brochure numbers.
Which one makes sense?
- Choose the G800 if absolute range is the priority. It is currently the longest-range purpose-built business jet, and it shares most of its systems with the G700.
- Choose the Global 8000 if you value speed and cabin volume. Its four-zone cabin and Mach 0.95 top speed make long days shorter and more comfortable.
- Consider fractional or jet-card access first. NetJets, for example, was announced as the Global 8000’s fleet launch customer, which means many travellers will experience these aircraft without buying one outright.
The bottom line
There is no wrong answer at this level — only different priorities. Gulfstream won the range battle by a small but meaningful margin; Bombardier built the fastest and roomiest jet in the segment. The best choice depends on the routes you actually fly, how many people travel with you, and how much time on board is worth to you.
Specifications are taken from the manufacturers’ certification and entry-into-service announcements. Prices are launch list prices and are shown for reference only. This article is for information and is not financial advice.
Sources
- General Dynamics: Gulfstream G800 earns FAA and EASA certifications (April 2025)
- FLYING: Gulfstream G800 earns certification from FAA, EASA
- AeroCorner: Gulfstream G800 price and first delivery
- Bombardier celebrates entry into service of the Global 8000 (GlobeNewswire)
- Bombardier: Global 8000 receives EASA certification
- Business Jet Traveler: Bombardier unveils Global 8000
- AIN: First production Global 8000 takes to the skies
- Skies Magazine: NetJets fleet launch customer for Global 8000