Summary
- The Gulfstream G650 has more cabin space and is faster, with a range of 7,000-7,500 nautical miles.
- Falcon 8X offers several customization options; a VIP suite, shower room, lounge area and conference room.
- Both jets have unique features, and the choice between them depends on personal preferences and primary needs.
Both Dassault Aviation and Gulfstream Aerospace have manufactured ultra-long-range private jets for many years, which continue to be popular with private owners and operators alike. Here we compare similar aircraft of the same size but with subtle differences. Let’s take a look at the Gulfstream G650 and the Falcon 8X and see which has the most cabin space.
Cabin comparison
The G650 cabin is spacious and can seat up to 19 and sleep 10 passengers depending on the configuration. There are three or four living areas and the single seats and divan can be made into lie-flat beds. The aircraft has 16 large oval windows, keeping the cabin bright and airy. The G650 has a large galley, two lavatories and a baggage compartment accessible from the cabin. The configuration can be customized and the galley can be moved to the rear.
Measurements of aircraft
Finished Cabin Height: 6 ft 3 in
Finished Cabin Width: 8 ft 2 in
Cabin Length (excluding baggage): 46 ft 10 in
Total Interior Length: 53 ft 7 in
Cabin Volume: 2,138 cu ft
Baggage Compartment Volume: 195 cu ft
Exterior Height: 25 ft 8 in
Exterior Length: 99 ft 9 in
Photo: Dassault Aviation
The Falcon 8X can seat between 12 and 16 passengers and is customizable. A VIP suite or conference room, lounge/bar area or stateroom can be added. There is an option to have a shower fitted in the rear lavatory. The galley can be made smaller or larger depending on what the client wishes. There are 30 different custom options available. The aircraft has 14 plush seats that turn into six beds and the divan turns into a double bed.
Cabin dimensions
Cabin Height |
6 ft 2 in / 1.88 m |
Cabin Width |
7 ft 8 in / 2.34 m |
Cabin Length(excluding cockpit & baggage) |
42 ft 8 in / 13 m |
Cabin Volume(excluding cockpit & baggage) |
1,695 ft³ / 48 m³ |
Baggage Volume |
140 ft³ / 4 m³ |
Falcon 8x |
G650 |
|
Typical Seating |
12 + 3 crew |
14 + 4 crew |
Length |
42.66 ft (13.02 m) |
46.82 ft (14.28 m) |
Width |
7.68 ft (2.34 m) |
8.5 ft (2.58 m |
Height |
6.18 ft (1.88 m) |
6.42 ft (1.96 m) |
Area |
1695 ft³ (48 m³) |
2136.54 ft³ (60.5 m³) |
Length |
80.2 ft (24.46 m) |
99.74 ft (30.4 m) |
Wingspan |
86.25 ft (26.3 m) |
93.66 ft (28.54 m) |
Height |
26.1 ft (7.96 m) |
25.66 ft (7.82 m) |
Baggage Capacity |
140 ft³ (3.96 m³) |
195 ft³ (5.52 m3) |
The Gulfstream G650 In brief
The Gulfstream G650 is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR725 A1-12 engines that produce 16,900 pounds of take-off thrust. In the cockpit, there is Gulfstream’s PlaneView avionics, which features the Enhanced Vision System (EVS). This uses an infrared camera fitted on the nose of the aircraft and uses the latest technology for better visibility. The EVS output is shown on the Heads-Up Display (HUD) as data on a transparent screen. The Synthetic Visual System (SVS) shows 3-D images of the runway and terrain and reduces pilot workload.
Photo: Gulfstream Aerospace
The G650 received its FAA certification in September 2012 and entered service in December of the same year. The aircraft has a range of 7,000 nautical miles, meaning you can fly from Tokyo to New York or from London to São Paulo with ease. It has a top speed of 0.92 Mach (709mph, 1,142km/h). In 2013, the G650ER (extended range) was introduced, which increased its range to 7500 nautical miles.
Falcon 8X |
G650 |
|
Year of Production |
2016 |
2012 |
Long-range speed |
459 KTAS (850 km/h) |
488 KTAS (904 km/h) |
Range |
6450 nm (11,945 km) |
7000 nm (12,964 km) |
The Dassault Falcon 8X
The Falcon 8X is a tri-jet with three Pratt and Whitney Canada PW307D engines that produce 6,722 pounds of thrust each. In the cockpit, there is the 3rd generation EASy Flight Deck with the Honeywell Primus Epic System and Dassault’s Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) which is derived from their Rafale fighter jet. There is also the advanced flight envelope protection for extra safety. The Falcon Eye is a Combined Visual System (CVS) that improves situational awareness in bad weather conditions.
Photo: Dassault Aviation
The Falcon 8X was introduced in May 2014 and entered service in October 2016. It received its FAA and EASA certification in June 2016. It has more range than the Falcon 7X and a lighter redesigned wing makes it good for short runways. The Falcon 8X has a range of 6,450 nautical miles, meaning you can travel from New York to Dubai or Hong Kong to Los Angeles without needing to refuel. Its top speed is 0.90 Mach (690mph, 1,111 km/h).
All in all, the Gulfstream G650 has a slightly larger cabin and is faster than the Dassault Falcon 8X as well as having an increased range. Both are very comparable private jets and choosing one would depend on which manufacturer you prefer and what your primary needs are when wanting to buy or charter a private jet.