2. Bombardier Global 7500 — The Four-Zone Flagship
Why it’s here:
The Global 7500 remains the largest and longest-range purpose-built business jet from Bombardier and one of only two aircraft (alongside the G700) that can be genuinely called ultra-long-range flagships in production today. Its defining feature is four fully distinct living spaces plus a separate crew rest area — more usable “rooms” than almost anything else flying.
Brief history:
Originally announced as the Global 7000, the aircraft was renamed Global 7500 after flight testing showed it exceeded projected performance, particularly range, which reached 7,700 nautical miles. It entered service in 2018 and remains in active production, with roughly two dozen aircraft added to the in-service fleet in the past year alone.
A Look Inside:
Outright purchase price:
New list price is approximately $75 million, though actual transaction prices vary with cabin customization, finishes, and technology packages. Pre-owned examples have traded in the $54–68 million range depending on age and hours.
Installment / financing structure:
On a pre-owned unit priced around $54.4 million, a 50%-financed structure ($27.2 million loan) over 120 months runs about $113,000/month in interest, totaling roughly $1.36 million per monthly payment. New-aircraft buyers financing at similar terms on the full $75 million price should budget monthly payments in the $1.8–2 million range.
Charter price:
Hourly rates typically fall between $12,000 and $19,000, with most quotes clustering around $14,000–$16,000. LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault, who now charters rather than owns, has reportedly paid around $11,000/hour for Global 7500 charters — near the lower end of the published range.
Annual ownership cost:
At 200 hours per year, total operating cost runs approximately $2.08 million; at 400 hours, about $3.1 million — figures that exclude purchase financing and depreciation.
Insurance:
Expect $130,000–$350,000 annually for hull and liability coverage on a $54–75 million hull value, again scaling with pilot minimums and territory of operation.
Known owners/operators:
Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, previously owned a Global 7500 before selling it after flight-tracking accounts began publicizing its movements — he has since said he charters rather than owns. Flexjet operates a substantial Global 7500 fleet for fractional and jet-card clients.
Where to charter:
Flexjet, Monarch Air Group, Mercury Jets, Paramount Business Jets, and Stratos Jets all offer Global 7500 charter access, typically with advance notice as short as six hours for repositioning-friendly routes.
Where to buy:
Bombardier direct for new aircraft; Guardian Jet, Jetcraft, and Colibri Aircraft are established brokers for pre-owned Global 7500 transactions.
Customization options:
The signature Club Suite can be configured for conversation, productivity (fold-out desks and concealable side tables), or converted into an additional sleeping berth. Buyers can specify a full dining/conference room, a dedicated media lounge, and bedroom suites with private lavatories. Nuage seating — Bombardier’s proprietary seat design with a “floating” recline motion — is standard but available in an extensive range of leather and stitching options.
Unique feature:
The Global 7500 holds the record among purpose-built business jets for cabin volume combined with range, meaning it’s one of the only aircraft that can fly city-pairs like New York–Hong Kong nonstop while still offering four genuinely separate rooms rather than a single reconfigurable cabin.