Bombardier Global 6500 vs Gulfstream G600: Same Range, Different Jets (2026)

The Bombardier Global 6500 and Gulfstream G600 entered service within weeks of each other in 2019, both fly 6,600 nm and both cost around US$58-60 million. For buyers in the large-cabin class, they are the two obvious choices. The differences are in speed, cabin shape and how each maker approached the cockpit.

Quick answer: the G600 is faster (Mach 0.925), has a slightly longer cabin, seats up to 19 and has a modern side-stick cockpit. The Global 6500 has the wider cabin (7 ft 11 in), a short landing run and access to tricky airports such as London City. Same range, similar price: choose on speed and seats (G600) or width and airport access (Global 6500).

Figures come from the makers’ pages for the Global 6500 and G600, with dates and prices from Wikipedia. Full reviews: Global 6500 review; for the G600, see our Gulfstream guide and Falcon 6X vs G600.

Global 6500 vs G600 at a Glance

Sources: Bombardier: Global 6500, Gulfstream: G600; dates and prices from Wikipedia: Global Express and Wikipedia: G400/G500/G600.

Background

The Global 6500 is the latest step of the Global Express line that began in 1999. Wikipedia says Bombardier gave it Rolls-Royce Pearl engines with up to 13% lower fuel burn, a refined wing for Mach 0.90 and a Global 7500-style cabin. The G600 is a clean-sheet design from Gulfstream’s GVII family: Wikipedia says it first flew in December 2016, was certified in June 2019 and succeeded the G550. More than 200 G600s have been built.

Speed and Range

Both jets quote 6,600 nm at Mach 0.85 with 8 passengers and 4 crew. The G600 is faster: its Mach 0.925 maximum beats the Global 6500’s Mach 0.90, and Gulfstream quotes 5,600 nm at Mach 0.90, enough for New York to Dubai or London to Beijing at high speed, Gulfstream says. Bombardier’s examples for the 6500 are Hong Kong to London and Toluca to Madrid.

Cabin: Wider or Longer?

The Global 6500 cabin is 4 in wider (7 ft 11 in against 7 ft 7 in), which you feel in the aisle and seat width. The G600 cabin is about 2 ft longer (45 ft 2 in against 43 ft 3 in), which is why it can seat 19 and sleep 10. Both are 6 ft 2 in tall.

• Global 6500: four zones (club, conference, private suite, en suite with optional shower), a crew rest area with a berthable seat, Nuage zero-gravity seats, two 24-inch 4K screens, Soleil jet-lag lighting and Pũr Air HEPA filtration with 100% fresh air on demand.
• G600: up to four living areas, 14 Panoramic Oval Windows (Gulfstream says the largest in business aviation), 100% fresh air, a 3,255 ft cabin altitude at 41,000 ft and lavatories at both ends.

Cockpit

This is the biggest design difference. The G600 has Gulfstream’s Symmetry flight deck: fly-by-wire with active side-sticks that are electronically linked so each pilot feels the other’s inputs, ten touch screens and an Enhanced Flight Vision System that lets authorised pilots land in low visibility. The Global 6500 uses the Bombardier Vision flight deck with four large displays and a head-up display with what Bombardier calls the industry’s first true Combined Vision System, merging infrared and synthetic images in one view.

Runways and Airports

The G600 needs less runway to take off at maximum weight (5,700 ft against 6,145 ft). But Bombardier highlights the Global 6500’s landing performance (2,236 ft at a typical weight) and its Smooth Flĕx Wing, and says it can use difficult airfields such as Aspen, London City and St Moritz.

Price

Wikipedia lists about US$58 million for the Global 6500 (2023) and about US$59.5 million for the G600 (2022). In practice the price gap is small, and the interior and options will matter more.

Which Should You Choose?

• Choose the G600 if you want more speed, more seats (up to 19) and a modern side-stick cockpit.
• Choose the Global 6500 if you value a wider cabin, a dedicated crew rest area and access to demanding airports such as London City and Aspen.
• Want more cabin for less? The Falcon 6X is wider still and cheaper, with 5,500 nm of range; see our Falcon 6X review.

Our Verdict

This is one of the closest contests in business aviation. The G600 is the faster, more modern-feeling jet, with side-sticks and room for 19. The Global 6500 is the wider, more comfortable cabin, with a proven airframe and impressive airport access. If you often fly with big groups or want maximum speed, pick the G600; if your passengers value space and you fly into challenging airports, pick the Global 6500. For the step up, see Global 8000 vs G800.

Key Takeaways

• Both jets fly 6,600 nm at Mach 0.85 and cost around US$58-60 million.
• The G600 is faster (Mach 0.925 against 0.90) and seats more (19 against 17).
• The Global 6500 cabin is 4 in wider; the G600 cabin is about 2 ft longer.
• The G600 has side-sticks and touch screens; the Global 6500 has a Combined Vision System HUD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Featured image: FlyingFuel graphic using a photo of a Swedish Air Force Bombardier Global 6500 taking off from Stockholm Arlanda by Bene Riobó, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.