Summary

  • Gulfstream Aerospace, a leader since 1958, offers a diverse range of business jets for various missions with advanced technology.
  • Bombardier Aviation, established in 1989, produces the world’s largest business jet, the Global 7500, and other luxury jets.
  • Dassault Aviation, rooted in fighter aircraft, designs modern Falcon series jets with proven technologies and ultimate dispatch reliability.

Airbus and Boeing are prominent names in commercial aviation. While the two aerospace giants also produce a line of corporate jets, it is not their bread and butter. Top business jet manufacturers offer a wide range of aircraft for all missions. From private transport to cargo applications and utility missions, these companies have something to offer for every type of mission.

Simple Flying explores the top business jet manufacturers and notes a brief history of the current business aircraft lineup.

1

Gulfstream Aerospace

A subsidiary of General Dynamics

Most popular aircraft Flying Hours
Gulfstream G500 100,000+
Gulfstream G500 100,000+
Gulfstream G650 and G650ER One million+
Gulfstream G500 and G600

Photo: Gulfstream Aerospace

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, has been a market leader in business aircraft design and manufacturing since 1958. Headquartered in Savannah, Georgia, the company has produced over 2,000 aircraft. The company’s current production aircraft are listed here.

Aircraft Maximum Range Passengers Length Cabin Height Cabin Width
Gulfstream G800 8 000 NM (14,800 km) Up to 19 30.4 m 1.9 m 2.5 m
Gulfstream G700 7 500 NM (13,900 km) Up to 19 33.5 m 1.9 m 2.5 m
Gulfstream G650ER 7 500 NM (13,900 km) Up to 19 30.4 m 2.0 m 2.6 m
Gulfstream G650 7 000 NM (13,000 km) Up to 19 30.4 m 2.0 m 2.6 m
Gulfstream G600 6 200 NM (11,482 km) Up to 19 29.3 m 1.9 m 2.4 m
Gulfstream G500 5 000 NM (9,300 km) Up to 19 27.8 m 1.9 m 2.4 m
Gulfstream G400 4 200 NM (7,800 km) Up to 11 26.3 m 1.9 m 2.3 m
Gulfstream G280 3 600 NM (6,700 km) Up to 10 20.4 m 1.9 m 2.2 m

Gulfstream Aerospace advertises itself as,

“The strongest and most advanced fleet in Gulfstream history offers an aircraft for every mission. See how Gulfstream’s bold vision is revolutionizing the way you travel. We’re driven by our endless pursuit of excellence. We boldly anticipate your future needs, elevating aviation to an art form.”

Related

The Gulfstream G500 And G600 Have Surpassed 100,000 Total Flight Hours

Over 250 variants are currently in service today.

2

Bombardier Aviation

The company has parted with several aircraft development programs over the years

Notable aircraft:

Bombardier model Passenger capacity Number delivered
Challenger 3500 10 33
Challenger 650 12 1,000+
Global 6000 17 338
Global 7500 19 150+
Global 8000 19 To enter service in 2025

Bombardier Aviation, a division of Bombardier Inc., has been manufacturing commercial and business jets since 1989. The company currently produces Global Express and Challenger lines of jets in business aviation. Bombardier states,

“A rich history of ingenuity inspires us to relentlessly refine every detail of our business jets. It’s just who we are.”

A VistaJet Bombardier Global 7000 flying overhead.

Photo: InsectWorld | Shutterstock

Headquartered in Quebec, Canada, the company recorded a revenue of $7.5 billion in 2019. Like many manufacturers, Bombardier also deals in pre-owned aircraft. Bombardier’s Global series (Global 5500, 6000, 7500, and 8000). The Global 7500 is the world’s largest and longest-range business jet, featuring a luxury interior, multiple living spaces, a full-size kitchen, and a dedicated crew suite.

Related

Bombardier Reveals Its Upgraded Global 6000 For The German Defense Program PEGASUS

The German PEGASUS program is creating a new airborne surveillance aircraft.

3

Dassault Aviation

Business jets are designed with their roots from fighter jets

Notable aircraft:

Falcon model Capacity Range Cabin height Cabin width
Falcon 10X Up to 19 7,500 NM 80 in 109 in
Falcon 8X Up to 16 6,450 NM 74 in 92 in
Falcon 6X Up to 16 5,500 NM 78 in 102 in
Falcon 900LX Up to 14 4,750 NM 74 in 92 in
Falcon 2000LXS Up to 10 4,000 Nm 74 in 92 in

The French manufacturer of military and business jets, Dassault Aviation, was founded in 1929 by Marcel Bloch (Dassault). Headquartered in Paris, Dassault takes pride in designing and producing its business jets rooted in fighter aircraft. According to Dassault,

“Among all the business aircraft flying all over the world, only one can trace its heritage to legendary fighter jets like Mirage and Rafale. Every Falcon carries technologies proven in the fiercest environments. With DNA like that, it’s no wonder nothing flies or feels like a Falcon.”

A Dassault Falcon10X flying over New York City.

Photo: Dassault Aviation

Its Falcon series is the most modern and popular among individual and corporate owners. The company states that the Falcon series is powered by safety, efficiency, and comfort. It is a highly dependable aircraft providing ultimate dispatch reliability.

Related

4 Unique Features Of The Dassault Falcon 2000

Blended winglets for improved efficiency and a number of militarized variants give a certain edge to the Falcon 2000.

4

Cessna

A market leader in piston, turboprop, and jet aircraft

Most notable aircraft through the years

  • Cessna 152
  • Cessna 172 Skyhawk
  • Cessna 208 Caravan
  • Cessna Citation 560 Excel
  • Cessna Citation Latitude
  • Cessna Citation Longitude

Cessna, a Textron Aviation company, is a giant in the design and manufacturing of private aircraft. Cessna is an expert, whether it is a piston-engine powered plane, a turboprop, or a modern business jet. Traditionally branded as the Cessna Aircraft Company, it was founded in 1927 by Clyde Cessna. According to Cessna,

“Clyde Cessna was ahead of his time. With a vision to advance the design and performance of aircraft, he was a champion of the fully cantilevered wing monoplane. He created a structurally strong design that reduced drag and laid the foundation for some of the most legendary aircraft in aviation history.”

N975QS Cessna Citation X flying

Cessna became a brand of Textron Aviation in 2014.Cessna is a market leader in training aircraft, and its 172 Skyhawk is the world’s most produced aircraft, with over 44,000 examples built.

Related

Another CitationJet: Why Does Cessna No Longer Make The Citation CJ2?

Although no longer produced, the CJ2 series still are flying today.

5

Embraer

Current and former business jet lineup

  • Embraer Phenom 100 (very light jet)
  • Embraer Phenom 300 (light jet)
  • Embraer Praetor 500 (mid-size jet)
  • Embraer Praetor 600 (super mid-size jet)
  • Embraer Legacy 450 (mid-size jet)
  • Embraer Legacy 500 (super mid-size jet)
  • Embraer Legacy 600/650 (large jet, developed from the ERJ family)
  • Embraer Lineage 1000 (ultra-large jet, developed from the E-Jet family)

This Brazilian aerospace manufacturer has produced aircraft and aviation systems since its inception in 1969. The South American Aerospace and Defense giant, and the third largest producer of civilian aircraft, is well known for its regional commercial jets and ultra-efficient corporate jets.

An Embraer Phenom 100 flying in the sky.

Photo: Embraer

The company’s Phenom 300 is the best-selling light jet in the world. Embraer claims that the twinjet has held the record for 12 consecutive years. The company has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft across all divisions. According to Embraer,

“The dream has become a reality: an Embraer aircraft takes to the skies every ten seconds, carrying around 145 million passengers annually.”

Related

What Is Embraer’s Smallest Business Jet?

A closer look at the Embraer Phenom 100.

What are your thoughts on the top manufacturers of business jets? Share your views in the comments section.

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