On Board Bombardier 8000 The Fastest Jet Since Concorde

Words by

Lisa Barnard

19th December 2025

A new era of luxury travel is on the horizon thanks to the Bombardier Global 8000, the fastest civil passenger jet since Concorde. Lisa Barnard takes an exclusive first look at this private jet as it enters service.

Travelling in style to the fastest passenger jet Bombardier 8000

From a Ferrari to the private jet, ILN CEO and SPHERE Digital Editor, Lisa Barnard travelling in style.

On a grey November morning in 2003, the very last Concorde flight landed in Bristol. The sun had set on supersonic aviation. That was, until a sunny wintry morning this December, when the doorbell rang and waiting outside my London home was a Ferrari 488 Spider ready to whisk me off to preview the Bombardier Global 8000 at Farnborough Airport – the fastest civilian jet since Concorde – for an exclusive first look as it enters service.

Stephen McCollough Senior VP of Engineering Bomardier for the fastest passenger jet.

Stephen McCullough, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Product Development, Bombardier

There are arguably few better ways to start a day than in the backseat of a cherry-red sports Ferrari — such a hard life. Especially when you are greeted at the other end with a breakfast menu designed by Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens and renowned wellness expert and nutritionist Rosemary Ferguson. The order of the day was indulgence fused with intention. Think Gwyneth Paltrow finding the balance between “tofu and cigarettes”, except this was finding the balance between waffles with smoked salmon and a collagen chia pudding.

Inside the fastest passenger jet, Bombardier Global 8000.

Bombardier Global 8000 et up for Dining .

Climbing the jet’s glossy white stairs, you’re immediately met with a cabin that has been so clearly designed with business in mind to maximise both comfort and efficiency. All symmetry and clean lines, it tracks that the interiors were conceived to create an oasis of calm at 40,000 ft.

Double bed on the fastest passenger jet.

Bombardier Global 8000 Principle Suite Double Bed.

Passenger comfort is clearly the highest priority on board the Bombardier Global 8000. And for good reason. With a top speed of Mach 0.95, it is undoubtedly demanding on the body. Be it adjusting the cabin pressure so it feels like you’re only cruising 2,900ft above sea level or the Soleil circadian lighting system, you’re travelling in an environment that actively combats jet lag before you land. This aircraft has the lowest cabin altitude level. The Nuage seat also features new architecture with the industry’s first zero-gravity positioning, which alleviates muscle fatigue, neck and back pain, particularly on long-haul flights. There are also, of course, on-board beds to make sure you get a full night's sleep and land refreshed and raring to go.

Lisa Barnard climbing the stairs of the fastest passenger jet.

Lisa Barnard, ILN CEO and SPHERE Digital Editor climbing the stairs of the Bombardier Global 8000.

The plane itself has been acutely designed to deliver the smoothest flight in the skies — i.e. the big moves happen outside, so the inside stays calm. The aircraft’s Smooth Flex Wing operates like two different wings and like an in-air shock absorber, engineered to dampen turbulence. Thankfully, no Champagne needs to be spilt.