Dassault Aircraft

Dassault is the only business jet manufacturer offering trijet configurations (Falcon 7X, 8X, 900 series). The third engine provides greater safety margins than twin-engine aircraft, particularly on long over-water routes and high-altitude operations. It also contributes to a marginal speed improvement and allows continued flight with two engines at higher altitude than a twin could maintain on one. The Falcon 8X operating costs are 10.8% lower per nautical mile than the Gulfstream G600 and 18.4% lower than the Bombardier Global 6500 — efficiency that partly offsets the third engine.

Dassault and Gulfstream compete at the large-cabin, long-range level. The Falcon 8X costs $58M new and operates at $8.04/nm — making it the most fuel-efficient in its class. The Gulfstream G600 operates at $9.01/nm but offers a slightly wider cabin. Annual operating costs: Falcon 8X at $2.32M vs G650ER at $2.69M. Dassault Falcon cabins are slightly narrower (7.7ft vs 7.6ft for the G600) but the trijet layout provides a quieter rear cabin. Choose Dassault for efficiency; choose Gulfstream for range and cabin width.

Used Dassault Falcon 7X jets typically trade between $12 million and $25 million depending on year, total time, and maintenance status. The original list price was $53.8 million new. The 7X was the first business jet with digital fly-by-wire flight controls (derived from the Rafale fighter) and remains highly desirable for its 5,950 nm range, steep-approach capability, and low operating costs. The successor Falcon 8X extends range to 6,450 nm. Both compete with the Gulfstream G500/G600 and Bombardier Global 5500/6500.

Dassault Aviation has been building aircraft since 1929, with a reputation for engineering excellence spanning military (Mirage, Rafale) and civilian (Falcon) programs. Falcon business jets are known for rugged construction, low maintenance costs relative to competitors, and exceptional short-field performance. The trijet configuration provides redundancy that many operators value for safety. Over 2,600 Falcon jets are in service worldwide. Dassault is a publicly traded French company (Euronext: AM) with stable finances and long-term support commitment.