The 7 Greatest Heavy Jets within the World, From Gulfstream to Embraer
Dassault Aviation
When it comes to coast-to-coast travel, it’s usually wise to bring in the heavies. Speed, time, and range matter to business travelers, and heavy jets have proven to be the most efficient way to ferry a group on transcontinental or, with many jets on this list, transatlantic flights. The heavy-jet category falls between the more expensive and exclusive world of ultra-long-range jets and a larger group of super midsizes, though sometimes those categories intersect.
Much has changed since the first 65,500-pound Grumman Gulfstream II took to the airways in 1966, using a pair of Rolls Royce Spey turbofans for its nonstop transcontinental flight. The latest heavy jet from Dassault, the Falcon 6X, has an extra-wide body cabin for comfort and best-in-class avionics. Typically, this jet category can accommodate five to 14 passengers, with the ability to fly more than 12 hours. A full galley, space for large amounts of baggage, the latest entertainment systems, and Wi-Fi are also givens.
The latest generation of heavy jets continue to post increases in range, speed, and avionics, as well as adopting new technologies, for both safety and cabin comfort, to keep the category as relevant any other business jet class.
Here are seven of our favorites, past and present, that are flying these days.
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Dassault Falcon 6X
Image Credit: Dassault Aviation The Dassault Falcon 6X, which entered service last November, created a new state-of-the-art standard for heavy jets. Depending on the owner’s wishes, seating configuration can accommodate from 12 to 16 passengers, and the 6X has a range of 5,500 nautical miles, from Los Angeles to Geneva, or São Paulo to London. The maximum operating speed is Mach .90. The cabin is the tallest (6.5 feet) and widest (8.5 feet) in the heavy-jet class. The 6X has 30 large windows for ample natural lighting, while a skylight offers passengers more sunlight and glimpses of the stars on overnight flights. The rear can be configured with an optional privacy suite as a meeting area or sleeping quarters. Its cabin management system includes high-speed broadband.
For the pilot, Dassault’s FalconEye combines high-definition, multi-sensor camera images with three worldwide synthetic-vision databases that map terrain, obstacles, navigation, and airport and runway data. Its award-winning EASy IV delivers vivid displays, more processing power, while the Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) creates a smoother flight experience on autopilot even during turbulent conditions.
The Falcon 6X is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada 812D turbofan, the latest variant of its PurePower geared turbofan commercial engines that promise double-digit improvements in fuel burn, emissions, and noise reduction, along with 13,500 pounds of thrust. The engine design includes the TALON X combustor to reduce cabin noise and vibration for a more comfortable passenger experience. This 6X has been designed to fly on sustainable aviation fuel.
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Bombardier Global 5500
Image Credit: Bombardier Bombardier’s Global 5500 was designed to be a comfortable working and sleeping environment for transoceanic trips, with a ceiling height of 6.2 feet and width of nearly 8 feet. It can accommodate up to 16 passengers. The 5500’s maximum cruise speed is Mach .90 and maximum range is 5,900 nautical miles, roughly from New York to São Paulo.
The cockpit is equipped with Bombardier’s Combined Vision System that can merge infrared and synthetic terrain vision into a single view. The Clear Vision flight deck combines a comprehensive avionics suite with refined graphics to simplify the flight experience for pilots.
The cabin features multiple passenger comforts, including Bombardier’s proprietary Nuage seat and chaise, for ergonomic comfort on overnight trips. The seat allows for deep reclining, but also has a floating base to swivel fluidly and a tilting headrest. The Nuage chaise works as a lounge chair or flat surface for sleeping, or bench seating. The Global 5500’s three living spaces include a galley with a cross-aisle work surface and a conference suite with a table and seating for up to six. The cabin also features 4K-enabled connectivity and an intuitive cabin-management system.
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Falcon 2000LXS
Image Credit: Dassault Aviation The French airframer realized it had a winner in 1994, when it launched the Falcon 2000 series. The popular heavy jet has gone through five iterations to the current 2000 LXS, with 600 in the air, by building on the core strengths of the original, with cost-effectiveness and performance being its main benchmarks.
The 2000LXS can be configured from 8 to 10 passengers, with a range of 4,000 nautical miles and maximum operating speed of Mach .86. Its maximum altitude is 47,000 feet. The cabin has a length of 26.17 feet, height of 74 inches and width of 92 inches, with baggage volume measuring 130.6 cubic feet. The aircraft has found a home in several fractional ownership programs, but is also popular as both a personal and corporate fleet jet. Different iterations of the 2000 are also used by governments around the world, including the French government, which has a Falcon 2000EX and 2000LX in its presidential fleet.
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Gulfstream G550
Image Credit: Gulfstream First announced in 2000, with FAA approval following in 2003, the G550 was an iteration of Gulfstream’s popular GV. The G550 delivers comfort and distance with a range of 6,750 nautical miles—say, nonstop from New York to Beijing. Its maximum ceiling is 51,000 feet. The 44-foot-long cabin is able to accommodate 14 to 16 passengers. The interior space is segmented into three zones, with the configuration based on mission needs. Fourteen large windows offer exceptional natural light. Lavatories are at either end of the aircraft, and there is also 175 cubic feet of baggage space. The Rolls Royce Pearl (BR710C4-11) engines deliver 15,385 pounds of thrust with a maximum cruising speed of Mach .85 and a long-range cruising speed of Mach .80. While its last year of production was 2021, the G550 remains a popular business jet for both charter and resale, with a fleet size of 611 worldwide.
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Embraer Legacy 600/650
Image Credit: Embraer The Embraer Legacy 600 first took flight in 2001, followed by FAA certification in 2002. The Legacy 600 can carry up to 13 passengers at a distance of 3,429 nautical miles. The cabin features a fully equipped galley, luxury seating that can fully recline, a conference area with four seats, a divan with three seats, and an optional aft stateroom. Passengers can access the 240-cubic-foot baggage compartment through the aft lavatory, which also does double duty as a wardrobe closet that is large enough to change clothes after arrival. While cabin noise problems plagued early models, the manufacturer corrected this issue with subsequent iterations.
In 2009, Embraer announced a longer-range version called the Legacy 650, with a range of 3,900 nautical miles. It could also carry 2,500 lbs. more weight than the Legacy 600. Though production ended in 2020, with 289 delivered, the 600/650 remains a popular charter and brokerage aircraft.
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Bombardier Challenger 605
Image Credit: Bombardier The Bombardier Challenger 605 is considered one of the best-selling heavy business jets ever, with more than 1,000 deliveries. With a range of 4,000 nautical miles, this jet was designed to transport up to 12 passengers at a maximum cruise of Mach .82. Known across the industry for reliability and low operating costs, the Challenger 605 is powered by two GE CF34-3B MTO engines that deliver 9,220 pounds of thrust. It is certified for steep approaches and a landing distance of 2,402 feet.
The 605 has one of the widest cabins in it class (7.11 feet), featuring amenities that include a spacious galley with a work surface, oven, microwave, sink, and chilled storage. The jet features flexible club seating with 180-degree swivel capabilities, recline and berthing features, easy-to-access seating storage, and a height-adjustable, single-pedestal conference table. The avionics suite includes Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced with four large displays, with synthetic vision, a dual-flight management system with LPV and RNP approach capabilities, multiscan weather radar, a dual inertial reference system, and dual WAAS/SBAS.
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Gulfstream GIV, G450
Image Credit: United States Department of Commerce In March 1983, Gulfstream collaborated with Grumman to create the GIV—an aircraft that would eventually evolve into the Gulfstream IV-SP and, later, the G450. Within three years of being FAA certified in 1987, the GIV had shattered 33 world records. In non-corporate missions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) used this aircraft to fly missions around tropical cyclones to access wind speed, barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature.
With seating capacity from 12 to 19 passengers, the three-zone jet has an interior height of 6.2 feet and width of 7.3 feet, a full-service galley, four-seat dining and conference area, lavatory, berthing divans, and 162 cubic feet of baggage storage (up to 19 suitcases). Its range is 4,363 nautical miles at Mach .80, with a maximum ceiling of 45,000 feet. Maximum speed is Mach .88.
Though production ended in early 2018 with the launch of the G500, the G450 remains a popular business jet among charter brokers and fractional providers. By time the last G450 was delivered, the company had produced more than 870 versions of the GIV.
Source: Robb Report
