'Fastest Since Concorde'

Bombardier's Flexjet Europe has launched the Transatlantic Express, claiming the fastest crossings since Concorde with flexible service from any European airfield to the East Coast of the U.S., or from London to destinations in the central U.S., using the Global Express.

"Flying time is approximately 36 minutes faster than its closest competitor, the Falcon 900EX and approximately 44 minutes faster than the Gulfstream G550," Bombardier claims.

"Unlike other transatlantic business jet travel programs where customers must purchase an aircraft share, this service is offered 'by the flight' and is available to anyone," said Flexjet Europe managing director Judith Moreton. "This is a straightforward, simple program," she said.

The fare, for up to ten passengers, is a cool €150,000. Return, of course, and Flexjet customers get a €10,000 discount.

The XRS, with BEVS

While the €27.1 million ($33.5 million) Global 5000 on show here is a smaller variant of Bombardier's €36.7 million ($45.3 million) flagship Global Express, the company last year launched the Global Express XRS, which for €36.8 million ($45.5 million) will be faster, capable of coping better with hot-and-high airfields, quicker to fuel, and will come with an enhanced vision system as standard equipment.

The XRS will have two more windows for more natural light, improved LED lighting too, better pressurization and more onboard storage space.

A new forward fuel tank in the wing-body fairing boosts fuel capacity by 1,486 pounds, stretching range to 6,150 nmi at a cruise speed of Mach 0.85, and 5,450 nmi at Mach 0.87. A new zero-flaps takeoff capability improves hot-and-high performance, allowing greater fuel loads, so the aircraft can reach more destinations. Fueling will be speeded by 15 minutes via software upgrades to the fuel computer and "structural adjustments."

The Global Express XRS will include the BEVS—Bombardier Enhanced Vision System—as standard equipment. The safety-enhancing BEVS is based on the second-generation SureSight I-series EVS sensor from CMC Electronics, integrated with a Thales HUD. It is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2005.

The Global Express XRS is scheduled to enter service in early 2006.

European Success Story

"We delivered 115 new aircraft into Europe over the past five years—that's some 24% of the market," says Bombardier Business Aircraft regional sales manager Bob Horner.

He credits the company's steadfastness in Europe, where, rather than cut back when the market declined, Bombardier beefed-up customer support and took such steps as opening a used aircraft office in Paris.

There are launch customers in Europe for all of Bombardier's new products, from the Learjet 40 and Challenger 300 to the Global 5000, Horner said. A particular bright spot is Russia, where Horner has been selling for nearly 10 years. Bombardier has sold no fewer than eight Global Express and Global 5000s there, two some time ago and six more recently.