Dassault Falcon 8X Charter: Rent the big Falcon Jet
The Dassault Falcon 8X was the largest and longest-range variant of the popular Falcon series when it was announced. The three-engine business jet belongs to the long-range jet category and was delivered to the first customer in October 2016. The French business jet was first unveiled to the public at the European Aviation Exhibition EBACE in Geneva in 2014. The Falcon 8X is the upgrade of the successful Falcon 7X, which impressed the industry with an outstanding technical performance at a long-range. The French aircraft manufacturer's impressive jets are manufactured in Merignac, not far from the Aéroport de Bordeaux - Mérignac (BOD) airport. In the meantime, the 8X has been surpassed by the Falcon 10X in terms of range and cabin volume.
The development of the largest Falcon at the time (internally M1000) began in 2011. The business jet represents a further development of the 7X and features improved aerodynamics, an extended fuselage, and a larger fuel tank. The aircraft is equipped with a fly-by-wire system for electronic aircraft control.
The performance data of the Falcon 8X surpass those of its little brother 7X, but not competing jets from other manufacturers: both the Gulfstream G650 and Bombardier's Global 7000/8000 fly further and faster. The Falcon, on the other hand, scores in terms of efficiency and multi-stop capability: despite its three turbines, its fuel consumption is lower than that of its competitors, which also translates into low operating costs. Its comparatively high maximum landing weight, which is only a few tons below the maximum takeoff weight, allows it to make multi-stop flights without refueling.In addition to its use as a business jet, the Archange also has a military version for electronic reconnaissance. Two Dassault Falcon 8Xs are also part of the current fleet of the air transport service provider Volkswagen Air service.
Advantages of a Falcon 8X as a rental aircraft:
Breathtaking speed: Even if the competition from Gulfstream and Bombardier has better performance data on paper: The Falcon set a new speed record in 2019 for air travel from the U.S. West Coast to the East Coast. It took just 4 hours and 28 minutes to cover the roughly 3,950-kilometer distance from Santa Monica to Teterboro in New Jersey.
Gigantic range: Even destinations in North and South America, the Middle East, Asia and even the southern tip of Africa can be reached comfortably and without a stopover with the private luxury aircraft from Europe. This is made possible by the increased fuel capacity and economical fuel consumption compared to previous models. According to the manufacturer, the 8X is up to 20 percent more fuel-efficient than any other aircraft in the ultra-long-range jet segment.
Contemporary luxury experience: The cabins of some slightly older luxury jets send passengers on a journey through time. The aesthetics of luxury also change over time. The Falcon's cabin, on the other hand, offers a contemporary luxury experience and can match the amenities of upscale hotels. In addition, the cabin is considered one of the largest and quietest in the market, which underscores the luxury ambiance.
Taking off and landing even from and at small airports: Despite its size, the 8X offers the ability to reach short and difficult runways. Examples include the short landing strip at La Môle Airport in St. Tropez or Vatry Airport near the popular Champagne wine region. Business travelers appreciate the reduced travel time, as they can often fly closer to their final travel destination.
Coolness factor: The manufacturer's experience in building sought-after fighter jets such as the Dassault Rafale, coupled with cool French design, makes a trip in the Falcon a special experience. For those for whom aesthetics and feel are also important criteria for choosing the perfect business jet, the 8X will be the perfect match for their next trip.
Disadvantages of a Falcon 8X as a rental aircraft:
High acquisition costs: The long-range jet not only makes it into the best lists for its performance: it also ranks among the top class in terms of price and is regularly mentioned when it comes to the most expensive private aircraft in the world. The market for used models is overseeable and, in terms of price, not significantly cheaper than buying a new one. On the other hand, high-value retention can be assumed. The comparatively low fuel consumption has a dampening effect on charter costs.
Oversized for short trips: The extra-large cabin and high fuel capacity enable travel to far-flung destinations with many fellow passengers or additional luggage. For shorter intra-European flights, in particular, there are smaller alternatives that fly travelers to their destinations much more cheaply in comparable comfort. One alternative from Dassault could be the Falcon 2000LXS or the Falcon 6X.
Overall, the Falcon 8X is hard to beat when it comes to hiring a first-class, prestigious business jet that can also land at smaller airports. With a comparatively low weight and high efficiency, the Falcon leaves many competitors behind. In addition, the long history of the Falcon series has allowed the aircraft manufacturers from France to learn and continuously optimize the fleet.
However, those who can do without the Dassault factor will also find attractive alternatives among the competition from Bombardier and Gulfstream: Thanks to its higher maximum cruise speed, the Bombardier Global 7500 gets you to your destination up to 30 minutes faster on long flights. When it comes to maximizing cabin volume, the choice could fall on the Gulfstream G700. With its 17.35-meter cabin, it offers the most space in the aircraft cabin.
The enthusiasm for the large business jet is also shared by relevant target groups in the Middle Kingdom. The 8X has already won the "Best Ultra Long Range Business Jet" category of the annual "HURUN Best of the Best Awards" several times. The award is based on a consumer survey on luxury goods. For eighteen years, Hurun Research has been determining the brand preferences, consumer habits and lifestyle trends of China's wealthiest individuals.
Aircraft data / Technical data
| Manufacturer | Dassault Aviation |
| Model | Falcon 8X |
| Number of pieces produced | 69 |
| Production period | Since 2016 |
| Engine | 3 x Pratt & Whitney PW307D |
| Price | Starting from 58.000.000 USD |
| Crew | 1 Pilot, 1 Co-Pilot |
| Toilet | 1 or 2 (depending on configuration) |
| Aircraft category | Long Range Jet |
Performance
| Take-off route | 1.829 m |
| Landing distance | 656 m |
| Maximum speed | 685 km/h (Mach 0,862) |
| Range | 11.945 km |
| Maximum flight altitude | 15.545 m |
Capacity
| Passenger capacity | 16 |
| Maximum payload with full tank | 997 kg |
| Capacity of the most common rental variant | 15 |
Cabin
| Cabin volume | 48 m³ |
| Cabin (length x width x height) | 13 m x 2,34 m x 1,88 m |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Falcon 8X cost?
The average price for a used Dassault Falcon 8X is around $53 million. New, the jet costs around 58 million US dollars. The comparatively small difference between the new and the used price is due to the fact that the first examples of the jet series were delivered only a few years ago and so far only a comparatively small number of units are available on the market.
How many passengers can a Falcon 8X carry?
The maximum number of passengers on a Falcon 8X is specified by the manufacturer as 16. However, a look at rental aircraft available on the market quickly reveals that this is a rather theoretical maximum value. Dassault boasts of the many configuration options for its large cabin. The most common configuration seems to be a three-part cabin divided into three separate sections, each with 4 seats. In most cases, therefore, prospective renters can assume seating for 12 passengers.
How does the Falcon 8X differ from the Falcon 7X?
Both the Falcon 7X and the Falcon 8X belong to the long-range jet category. With an identical cabin width and height, the 8X offers additional space thanks to its 1.09-meter longer cabin. In addition, thanks to an enlarged fuel tank and more powerful engines, it has an additional range of 945 kilometers compared to the 11,000 kilometers of the 7X. For planned direct flights from Europe to South America, this can make all the difference.
How many Falcon 8X jets have been sold so far?
Dassault delivered 69 Falcon 8X jets between 2016 and 2020. Owners of a Falcon 8X include the Royal Family of Monaco and the government of Egypt. In late 2019, the French Air Force ordered two examples to be converted for use as reconnaissance aircraft in partnership with French defense contractor Thales. Around half of the examples sold have their home base in Western Europe.
Which airports can be approached with a Falcon 8X?
Like other Falcons, the 8X is distinguished by its excellent short-haul performance. It lands as reliably at smaller or more difficult airports such as Aspen, London City, Lugano and Gstaad as reliably as at major commercial airports.
