Global Express/XRS
The Bombardier Global Express is an ultra-long-range heavy jet seating 14 passengers in a 48.4-foot flat-floor cabin, 8.2 feet wide and 6.3 feet tall, with a full galley, enclosed lavatory, and Wi-Fi. Range is 6,150 nautical miles at 512 knots with a 51,000-foot service ceiling. Against the ultra-long-range category average, the Global Express cabin is wider (8.2ft vs 7.8ft avg) while range and speed sit near the category mean. The 48.4-foot cabin fits three distinct zones in typical configurations: a forward lounge, a dining area, and an aft sleeping suite.
Of the 69 US Part 135 aircraft across 22 operators, three companies control 54%: Solairus Aviation (17 aircraft), Planet 9 (12), and ACI Jet (8). This concentration means the Global Express behaves like a managed-fleet aircraft in the US market. Only five active empty legs are typically listed at any time, reflecting fleet usage patterns dominated by scheduled client itineraries rather than open ad hoc charter. Charter rates run approximately $8,000 to $12,000 per hour depending on variant and routing.
Used Global Express aircraft trade from $3 million to $8 million for early production examples; XRS variants from the 2006–2011 production window carry $8 million to $15 million depending on avionics and interior condition. A new Global 6000 (the production successor to the XRS) listed around $55 million when new.
Specs at a glance
Interior & cabin
| Passengers | 14 |
| Cabin length | 48.4 ft |
| Cabin width | 8.2 ft |
| Cabin height | 6.3 ft (stand-up) |
| Baggage volume | 195 cu ft |
| Lavatory | Fully enclosed |
| Galley | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Available on most aircraft |
| Cabin floor | Flat, walk-around |
The Global Express/XRS carries a stand-up cabin — 6.3 ft tall, 8.2 ft wide. Adults move around without crouching. A fully enclosed lavatory makes it workable for longer legs. Connectivity varies by tail — most operators in this fleet have at least one Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft, but confirm before booking if you need to work in the air.
Operator floor plans vary. Some Global Express/XRS cabins are configured with a divan that drops the headcount by one or two seats; confirm the layout with the operator before booking.
Range & performance
| Range | 6,150 nm |
| Max cruise | 512 ktas |
| Typical cruise | ~435 ktas |
| Service ceiling | 51,000 ft |
6,150 nm puts most transcontinental and transatlantic city pairs in reach. New York to London or Tel Aviv non-stop, Los Angeles to Hawaii with reserves.
Distances are real great-circle nautical miles from the selected hub. Angular positions are spaced for readability, not actual bearings. Range envelope assumes no wind and a full passenger load.
Charter cost per hour
Charter the Global Express/XRS at roughly $15,000–$22,000 per flight hour, depending on how far ahead you book. Ultra Long Range jets like this carry 12–16 passengers; the per-seat math improves sharply as you fill the cabin.
Rates are flight-hour pricing. Total cost depends on round-trip vs. one-way, positioning, fuel surcharges, and taxes (~15% on top of base). Run the math on your trip →
History
Bombardier launched the Global Express program to create a business jet capable of nonstop transatlantic and transpacific operations from a North American departure point. The first prototype flew on October 13, 1996, from Dorval, Quebec, in a flight lasting 2 hours 46 minutes. Transport Canada issued type certification in July 1998; the aircraft entered charter and private service in 1999. Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, each producing 14,750 lbs of thrust, power all Global Express and XRS variants.
Bombardier introduced the Global Express XRS in 2006 with the upgraded BR710-A2-20 engine, an additional 300nm of range, and a standard Cabin Management System. Production of the original Global Express ceased in 2006 as the XRS took over the line. In 2012 Bombardier renamed and rebranded the XRS with updated avionics as the Global 6000, with that variant generating over 315 deliveries through 2019. Total Global Express family production across all variants exceeded 816 aircraft as of 2018.
Ideal For
- Transatlantic nonstop flights: New York to London (3,459nm), New York to Paris (3,624nm), Los Angeles to London (5,456nm) all within the 6,150nm range
- Transpacific segments: Los Angeles to Tokyo (5,477nm) and shorter Pacific hops feasible nonstop
- Ten to fourteen passengers on intercontinental itineraries where a three-zone cabin (lounge, dining, sleeping area) supports flights exceeding eight hours
- Charter customers who need guaranteed availability from Solairus or Planet 9 fleet programs rather than open-market spot charter
- High-net-worth and corporate travel departments replacing scheduled business class on transatlantic routes where six to fourteen passengers justify the per-seat economics
Global Express/XRS vs Ultra Long Range Average
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charter a Global Express?
Charter rates run approximately $8,000 to $12,000 per hour depending on the variant (Global Express vs XRS) and operator. A transatlantic New York to London flight of approximately 7 hours typically totals $60,000 to $90,000 before taxes, landing fees, and crew costs. Transcontinental domestic flights (5–6 hours coast to coast) run $45,000 to $75,000 in the same range.
What is the difference between the Global Express and Global Express XRS?
The XRS, introduced in 2006, updated the Rolls-Royce BR710 to the -A2-20 variant with approximately 300nm additional range and added a standard Cabin Management System. In 2012 Bombardier rebranded the XRS with Garmin G5000 avionics as the Global 6000. For charter passengers, the XRS and Global 6000 offer the most current cabin technology; earlier Global Express aircraft vary widely in interior quality.
How does the Global Express compare to the Gulfstream G550?
Both are ultra-long-range jets capable of transatlantic nonstop operations. The G550 has a longer range (6,750 vs 6,150nm) and is faster (528 vs 512 ktas). The Global Express has a wider cabin (8.2ft vs 7.3ft for the G550), which most passengers perceive as meaningfully more spacious. Charter rates are comparable. The G550 has 42 active Part 135 aircraft versus 69 for the Global Express, giving the Global Express better availability in the US managed-fleet market.
Why are Global Express empty legs so rare?
Solairus Aviation (17 aircraft) and Planet 9 (12) together manage nearly half the US Part 135 fleet on managed itineraries for program clients. Aircraft in managed programs fly client schedules rather than open one-way charters, generating few repositioning legs available for public sale. Customers seeking ad hoc availability typically access the type through a management company relationship or a broker with fleet access.
What is the cabin configuration?
Standard Global Express and XRS configurations divide the 48.4-foot cabin into three zones: a forward club lounge with four seats, a dining/conference section, and an aft sleeping area that converts between sofa and flat beds. Baggage volume is 195 cubic feet, carried in a dedicated underbelly hold separate from the cabin. Ceiling height of 6.3 feet allows full stand-up walking throughout.
Available Empty Legs on Global Express/XRSs
Global Express/XRSs for Charter (69) Page 2 of 2
Where Global Express/XRSs actually fly
ADS-B-tracked flights from the trailing 90 days. Numbers cover aircraft on our charter database; private corporate fleets and operators using PIA registration are not in this count. Methodology →
Top routes
Busiest origins
Most active operators
| Operator | Aircraft | Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset Aviation LLC | 17 | 414 |
| PLANET NINE PRIVATE AIR LLC | 11 | 278 |
| AVIATION CONSULTANTS INC. | 8 | 252 |
| Fly Alliance, Inc. | 2 | 116 |
| Clay Lacy Aviation, Inc. | 4 | 96 |
| Scott Aviation, LLC | 2 | 89 |
| Worldwide Jet Charter, Inc. | 2 | 85 |
| Jet Aviation Flight Services, Inc. | 3 | 78 |
| WINGTIP CORPORATION | 2 | 69 |
| EXECUTIVE AIR CHARTER OF BOCA RATON | 1 | 49 |
Comparable aircraft
Same category, similar mission profile. The framing below summarizes how each one differs from the Global Express/XRS on the dimensions that matter most.