ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
- Private jet charter operator ExecuJet just took delivery of the first Bombardier Global 5500 in late-June, flying it back to its new home in Zurich.
- The world's newest private jet is an upgrade to the existing Global 5000 but boasts a greater range and maximum speed thanks to new Rolls-Royce engines.
- Business Insider obtained exclusive photos of the $46 million jet with the newest interior products and cockpit from Bombardier onboard.
The world's newest private jet has arrived at its new home and is ready for action.
Switzerland's ExecuJet was the first to take delivery of Bombardier's newest private jet, the Global 5500, just last month. An enhanced version of the Global 5000, the newest member of the family boats greater range and speed at a time when long-range jets are peaking in popularity with the wealthy turning to private jets for their aviation needs.
Bombardier had already debuted the Global 7500, which can fly the furthest of any wide-cabin jet from competitors Gulfstream and Dassault, in 2018 with swanky add-ons like a shower and bedroom. But while the Global 7500 is the largest in the family, the Global 5500 is among the smallest, catering to those who want the longer range but don't need a larger plane.
The Canadian manufacturer introduced new Rolls-Royce engines with the Global 5500 and also gave it the newest cabin interior products and a highly-advanced cockpit. So while it may not be the largest, it's still a massive upgrade from its predecessor.
Business Insider was given exclusive photos of the plane that arrived in Switzerland less than a month ago and has been flying around Europe since from its new home in Zurich.
Take a look inside the $46 million private jet.
Here she is, the very first Global 5500 to roam the skies.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
Switzerland's ExecuJet has the honor of being the first to fly the Global 5500, using it for private charter operations based in Zurich.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The jet is painted in the red, white, and blue colors of the Luxembourgish flag as ExecuJet is a subsidiary of the Luxaviation Group, based in the tiny but incredibly wealthy European country of Luxembourg.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The Global 5500 has the same build as its predecessor, the Global 5000, but the improvements are in the aircraft's engine, speeds, range, and interior cabin.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The interior cabin features three living areas with an open concept configuration in the forward sections.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The Global 5500 can seat up to 16 but ExecuJet opted for a 12-passenger configuration.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The first communal section is the club suite, with two pairs of seats facing each other on each side of the cabin.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
It's the quintessential space found on nearly all wide-cabin private jets, ideal for sitting during take-off and landing.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The jet features the new Nuage seat offered by Bombardier that uses a new tilt system to offer a deep recline. It can also go fully flat for sleeping and rotate to different angles.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
Each seat pair has a retractable table that's stored in the sidewall and can be used in-flight for enjoying drinks, eating meals, doing work on a laptop, or even a one-on-one card game.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The next section is the dining and conference area, similarly with two pairs of seats that face each other.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
It's located at the center of the jet directly over the wings.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The large dining room table is ideal for use during mealtimes and is another staple of wide-cabin jet travel.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The adjacent counter can also hold food items for a cabin attendant to easily serve the passengers or put out a spread of food for passengers to enjoy in-between meal services.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
When not being used for meals, the table can also be used as a conference room table to hold business meetings.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The final passenger compartment is the private suite in the very back of the jet.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The enclosed space usually features a pair of divan couches that face each other but can be converted into beds for longer flights.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
With a range of 5,900 nautical miles, the Global 5500 is easily capable of flights over 10 hours in duration, making the beds useful.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The jet can sleep seven passengers in total across six beds with each couch and seat pair able to be converted into a bed.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The "executive" style is another option for the private suite that includes a couch opposite another seat pair.
A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering
Bombardier
Individual aircraft owners tend to prefer this configuration as it acts almost like a private office while also offering the couch as a bed.
A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering
Bombardier
Charter operators prefer the dual-divan couch configuration at is allows for a higher seat count while also offering more beds.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
The Global 5500 also offers pilots a modern cockpit with an advanced avionics suite.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
Bombardier calls this cockpit the Vision flight deck.
A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering.
Bombardier
Heads-up displays also give the pilots additional information when flying thanks to cameras and sensors located in the aircraft's nose.
A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering.
Bombardier
The business end of the jet offers high-definition displays and traditional W-shaped control yokes for pilots.
A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering.
Bombardier
The new jet can fly at a top speed of Mach .90, thanks to new Rolls-Royce Pearl engines, as opposed to a top speed of Mach .89 with the Global 5000.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
Accessible city pairs include Zurich-Los Angeles, San Francisco-Buenos Aires, and London-Cape Town.
A Bombardier Global 5500 rendering.
Bombardier
Bombardier also claims that the new wing design gives the Global 5500 the "smoothest ride" out of other aircraft in its class.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet
Contending with the Global 5500 is the Gulfstream G500, one of the American manufacturer's newest offerings.
A Gulfstream G500.
Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
The Gulfstream jet can fly just slightly faster at Mach .925.
Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
But Bombardier bests the Gulfstream is cabin width and length, with the Global 5500 offering a 7-foot, 11-inch cabin.
A Gulfstream G500.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
ExecuJet also allows pets onboard its Global 5500.
ExecuJet's Bombardier Global 5500.
Niclas von Planta/ExecuJet