At the recent European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, Bombardier Business Aircraft unveiled two new high-performance jets – the Global 5500 and Global 6500, which it claims offer the smoothest rides, largest cabins and longest ranges in their class.
The Global 5500 and Global 6500 are essentially enhanced and updated versions of the Global 5000 and Global 6000, offering additional range and more efficient fuel burn. According to Bombardier, the range for the 5500 will be 6,560 miles, and for the 6500, it will be 7,595.
The Global 5500 interior
The Global 6500 interior
Two new Pearl engines were developed by Rolls-Royce and Bombardier has optimized wing design. The 5500 and 6500 will offer as much as 13 percent better fuel efficiency than their predecessors. It will reduce operating costs and the aircraft’s carbon footprint.
The impact of business aviation on the environment was a hot topic at this year’s EBACE, and there was a new initiative to promote the use of alternative fuels .The business aviation community has set targets for a 50-percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.
The Global 6500 has better hot and short-runway performances, and according to Bombardier it will be able to fly from Toluca in Mexico to Madrid in Spain.
The 5500 will be able to fly nonstop from São Paulo, Brazil, to Paris and from Moscow to Los Angeles; the 6500 will connect Hong Kong or Singapore to London.
The thrust and efficiency of the new engines also increase the aircraft range in hot weather and high-altitude conditions by 1,300 miles, Bombardier states.
Both versions will have new upgraded avionics packages with both ADS-B-In and ADS-B-out ready for future air traffic control systems. The cabins are redesigned and include Bombardier’s patented Nuage seat and Nuage chaise which converts into a flat surface for sleeping or dining
The aircraft also feature ultra-high-resolution entertainment systems and “safe access to baggage” throughout the flight.
Bombardier expects both models to enter service at the end of 2019. The Global 5500 will have a list price of $46 million and the Global 6500 $56 million.
“Bombardier’s two newest Global aircraft are the result of our unrelenting commitment to innovation, excellence and most of all, our desire to delivery unmatched capabilities to our customers,” said David Coleal, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft.
