Since 1963, the Falcon family of business jets from Dassault Aviation has been a stalwart of the skies. It will shortly be welcoming its largest-ever model, the Falcon 10X, which is set to take off in 2025. The new flagship competes in the ultra-long-range segment, with a range of 7,500nm (13,890km), which allows non-stop flights on routes such as Hong Kong to New York, Los Angeles to Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur to London.
The key advantage the Falcon 10X has is cabin size. In fact, it has the largest cabin ever in a purpose-built business jet, measuring 2.03m in height and 2.77m in width. In the limited space offered by air travel, every little bit counts, and this increased headroom goes a long way to alleviate claustrophobia. In this regard, it also helps that the 10X has 38 of the largest windows ever fitted on a Falcon. The low-altitude cabin pressure—the interior of the 10X will feel like 3,000ft above sea level when it is cruising at 41,000ft, with the typical commercial jet at around 6,000-8,000ft—also helps reduce flight fatigue.
All that space means even greater possibilities for in-cabin luxuries and personalisation—the four different sections can be configured into apartment-like staterooms with a private shower, a dining or conference room, or a lounge area with large-format screen. There is even an option for a full-size queen bed. The cabin, 16.4m in total length, is optimised for about eight passengers but can hold a maximum of 19. The baggage compartment is of class-leading size, too.
Of course, it would not be a Dassault aircraft without some high-tech innovation—after all, the brand also makes planes for the military. The flight deck is festooned with cutting-edge systems, like extensive and expansive touchscreens. The smart throttle controls both engines with a single lever, a setup evolved from the Rafale fighter jet. Dual head-up displays incorporate FalconEye, a vision-enhancing system that helps pilots in poor visibility conditions. Anticipating regulatory change due to ever-advancing technologies, the 10X has room for lie-flat pilot seats, and a high level of automation that may even one day lead to single pilot operations.
For the first time, Dassault has selected Rolls-Royce engines for its business jet. The Falcon 10X is powered by two Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engines, a next-generation powerplant that is incredibly efficient and capable of running entirely on sustainable aviation fuel. It is capable of more than 18,000lbs (80.1kN) of thrust, which enables the Falcon 10X to navigate short runways and steep angles despite its size—including the notoriously difficult London City airport. The combination of long-range, high performance, generous appointments, and high-tech safety means that Dassault’s aims with the Falcon 10X are clear—to be the premier option amongst luxury business jets.
