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Bombardier's (and by default, their shareholders') growth from the early 1990s- the period when the Global Express was first conceptualized - to the start of the eighties, the time by which Global Express had hit the skies, is nothing short of exceptional. Investors who bought 1,000 shares in December 1989 at $15.75 saw their $15,750 investment grow to $233,600 by December 1999. However, the tale of the variants of the Global Express came after one of the most debilitating instances in US aviation history- the September 2001 attacks.Introduction of Global 5000
Global 5000 was launched only a month after the United States saw the biggest ground stop in its history: By 9:45 p.m., all aircraft in the United States were grounded and it was only on September 14 that aircraft movement had resumed. A month later, the Global 5000 was announced and formally launched in February 2002.
The Global 5000 made its maiden flight on 7 March 2003, initiating its flight test program. Type certification followed by approvals from Transport Canada, the European JAA, and the U.S. FAA by October 2004. The aircraft entered commercial service in April 2005.
Compared to the larger Global Express, the Global 5000 featured a slightly shorter fuselage and reduced range (initially about 4,800-5,000 nautical miles), while retaining high cruise speeds and long-range performance suitable for transcontinental flights. In June 2005, it set a business-jet speed record flying nonstop from Chicago to Paris, covering 3,510 nm at Mach 0.88+ in about 7 hours 15 minutes. Here's a look at its specifications:
Crew: 2 /1
Passengers: 16
Max Range: 5,984 nm
Service Ceiling: 51,000 ft
Rate of Climb: 3,450 fpm
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls-Royce
In February 2008, Bombardier announced an increase in maximum takeoff weight that allowed a higher fuel load and extended range up to approximately 5,200 nautical miles on production aircraft. Four years later, the Global 5000's avionics were modernized with the Bombardier Vision flight deck (Rockwell Collins Fusion), improving situational awareness and pilot interface.
By its tenth anniversary, more than 180 Global 5000 jets were in service and data from 2024 suggests that over 230 units were produced and 218 still in operation (2024).
Global 5000's 2023 list price is $50,441,000
Global 6000, Building on the XRS
When the Global 6000 was introduced, it was essentially an upgraded Global Express XRS, which itself was an improvement on the Global Express. The Global Express XRS had the following improvements:
1,486 pounds more usable fuel
Mach 0.82 range of 6,500 nm with a margin of plus or minus 3 percent
7,800-pound completion allowance
Bombardier enhanced vision system (BEVS) package that reduced the chances of controlled flight into terrain as well as runway incursions, alongside bettering pilots' depth perception in difficult operating conditions. Building on the Global Express XRS, Global 6000 incorporated aerodynamic and systems refinements to improve range, efficiency, and onboard systems. It burnt less fuel, standardized the Bombardier Vision flight deck (Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion) and featured enhanced cabin acoustics and avionics, and had extended maintenance intervals. It could fly up to 6,000 nautical miles nonstop with typical passengers and cruise at high subsonic speeds (around Mach?0.85) for intercontinental missions. Its cabin supports 8-17 passengers, depending on configuration and features a three-zone layout.
In 2015, the Global 6000 set speed records from Aspen to London City Airport and from London City Airport to New York:
Aspen to London City: Global 6000 climbed to cruise altitude in 20 minutes and reached Mach 0.89.
London City to Lugano: Covered 963?nm (1,782?km) in 2 hours 43 minutes.Announced in 2011 and delivered first in 2012, the Global 6000 has the following specifications:
Crew: 2 /2
Passengers: 17
Normal Range: 5,890 nm
Service Ceiling: 51,000 ft
Rate of Climb: 3,450 fpm
Engine Mfg: Rolls-Royce
Engine Model: BR710A2-20
Half a Decade Later, Along Came the Global 5500/6600
Bombardier unveiled the Global 5500 and Global 6500 at EBACE in Geneva in May 2018 as updated long-range successors to the Global 5000 and Global 6000. Both jets received Transport Canada Type Certification on 24 September 2019. In the same year, they also earned EASA (European) certification in October 2019 and FAA (U.S.) certification.
The designs on these two featured:
A new optimized wing
Advanced Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engines
Redesigned cabins
Bombardier Pur Air, a sophisticated air purification system available exclusively on Global aircraft.
HEPA filter capable of capturing up to 99.99% of allergens, bacteria and viruses.
Here is how they compare:
Specification Global 5500 Global 6500Maximum range 5,900 nm 6,600 nmTop speed Mach 0.90 Mach 0.90Cruise speed Mach 0.85-0.88 Mach 0.85-0.88Service ceiling 51,000 ft 51,000 ftPassenger capacity Up to 16 Up to 17Cabin size (L × W × H) 12.41 m × 2.41 m × 1.88 m 13.18 m × 2.41 m × 1.88 mTakeoff / landing distance ~5,340 ft / ~2,207 ft ~6,145 ft / ~2,236 ftEngines Rolls-Royce Pearl (15,125 lbf) Rolls-Royce Pearl (15,125 lbf)Maximum takeoff weight ~41,957 kg ~45,132 kg