Falcon 8Xfor Sale — Market Pricing & Availability

Overview

The Dassault Falcon 8X is a direct response to customer demand for a longer-range 7X with greater cabin flexibility. Introduced in 2016, the 8X stretched the 7X fuselage by just over three feet, enabling a significant range increase to 6,450 nautical miles. This puts city pairs like Hong Kong to Seattle or London to São Paulo within reach. The defining characteristic of the 8X, like its predecessor, is the tri-jet configuration. Three Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307D engines provide not only exceptional thrust and redundancy but also contribute to the aircraft's stellar short-field performance, a hallmark of the Falcon line. It can access airports like London City or Aspen, which are often off-limits to its direct competitors. The 8X maintains the 7X's advanced digital flight control system, providing precise handling and a smoother ride. It is an aircraft for the buyer who values both ultra-long-range capability and operational flexibility.

Production & Variants

Production of the Falcon 8X began in 2016 and continues today. Unlike some of its peers, the 8X has not been released in a series of major variants. Instead, Dassault has pursued a path of continuous improvement, rolling out incremental upgrades to avionics, cabin systems, and performance parameters. The primary "variant" is the owner's choice of cabin configuration. With over 30 potential layouts, each 8X is semi-custom. Early models (2016-2018) are now entering the secondary market, representing a different value proposition compared to new production aircraft. Newer models feature the latest EASy III avionics suite and FalconEye Combined Vision System (CVS) as a more common feature. As of 2024, over 400 units have been delivered.

Real-World Performance

The 8X delivers on its promises. The 6,450 nm maximum range is achievable with eight passengers and three crew under NBAA IFR reserves. This means non-stop flights from New York to Dubai or Singapore to Zurich are standard missions. Its Mach 0.90 MMO allows for fast crossings, though most operators cruise around Mach 0.80 for optimal fuel efficiency, CTP-compliance on North Atlantic tracks, and a still-impressive 488 knots.

What truly sets it apart is its balanced field length. At a sea level airport on a standard day, the 8X requires 5,880 feet for takeoff at its maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 73,000 lbs. More impressively, its slow and stable approach speed of just 107 knots allows it to land at weights that permit it to depart again without refueling—a critical advantage in remote locations. It can comfortably use a 2,200-foot runway for landing, opening up thousands of airfields its competitors cannot.

Cabin Experience

The primary upgrade from the 7X is the cabin. The 42.67-foot-long space (excluding cockpit and baggage) provides ample room for a three-zone layout. Common configurations include a forward club, a mid-cabin dining/conference area, and an aft stateroom with a divan or dedicated bed. At 6.2 feet high and 7.7 feet wide, the cross-section is comfortable, though not as wide as a Gulfstream or Global.

Dassault offers a high degree of customization, so the quality and style of completions vary significantly on the pre-owned market. Cabin noise levels are exceptionally low, typically under 50 dB, making it one of the quietest environments in the sky. The air circulation and purification system provides air 10 times cleaner than a modern office building, and a low cabin altitude of 3,900 feet at a cruise altitude of 41,000 feet reduces fatigue on long-haul flights. The 140 cubic foot baggage compartment is fully accessible in-flight.

Market Value Today

As of 2026, the Falcon 8X market is softening from its post-pandemic peak but remains robust. The fleet is maturing, bringing more aircraft into the pre-owned space.

• Low End: $42,000,000 USD. This represents early models (2016-2017) with higher time (3,000+ hours), less desirable cabin layouts, and upcoming maintenance events. These aircraft may lack FalconEye or have deferred cosmetic updates.
• Mid-Market: $48,000,000 USD. This is the core of the market for a 2018-2020 vintage aircraft with 1,500-2,500 hours. It will be fully enrolled on programs (FalconCare, ESP, MSP), feature a desirable 12-14 passenger configuration, and present in excellent condition.
• High End: $54,000,000 USD. This price is for a late-model (2022+), very low-time aircraft, often with remaining factory warranties. It will have a highly customized interior, top-tier avionics including FalconEye, and a pristine pedigree.

Supply is moderate, with roughly 15-20 aircraft on the market at any given time, representing 4-5% of the total fleet.

Operating Costs

Operating an 8X requires a significant, but predictable, budget. The three-engine design carries a slight cost premium over twin-engine competitors, primarily in engine maintenance reserves.

Annual Fixed Costs: Approximately $1,100,000 USD. This covers:

• Crew Salaries & Training: $450,000
• Hangarage (major metropolitan area): $150,000
• Insurance (hull & liability): $120,000
• Avionics Subscriptions & Nav Data: $80,000
• General Maintenance & Upkeep: $300,000

Hourly Variable Costs: Approximately $4,800 USD per hour. Based on a typical 450-hour annual utilization, this includes:

• Fuel Burn: Average 2,750 lbs/hour (approx. 410 gallons/hour). At $7/gallon, this is ~$2,870/hour.
• Engine Reserves (P&W ESP Platinum): ~$1,200/hour for all three engines.
• APU Reserves (Honeywell MSP Gold): ~$150/hour.
• Airframe & Parts (FalconCare/Smart Parts): ~$580/hour.

Total Annual Budget: For a 450-hour operator, the total annual cost is approximately $3,260,000 USD ($1.1M fixed + 450 * $4,800 variable).

Maintenance Programs

Enrollment on comprehensive maintenance programs is critical for maintaining the 8X's value and ensuring predictable costs.

• Engines (PW307D): Pratt & Whitney's ESP Platinum is the standard. An aircraft not enrolled on ESP will be heavily penalized by buyers. It covers scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including overhauls, hot section inspections, and loaner engines.
• APU (Honeywell GTCP36-150FN): Honeywell MSP Gold is the expected program for the auxiliary power unit. It functions similarly to the engine program, covering all maintenance needs.
• Airframe: Dassault FalconCare is a "power by the hour" program that covers the vast majority of airframe parts and labor. It is Dassault's premier offering and provides immense peace of mind and cost predictability. Non-enrollment is a major red flag.
• Parts: Dassault's Smart Parts program is often bundled with FalconCare and ensures availability of critical components, minimizing AOG (Aircraft on Ground) time.

A pre-owned 8X should be enrolled in ESP Platinum, MSP Gold, and FalconCare. The absence of any of these programs warrants a significant price reduction and deeper scrutiny during the pre-purchase inspection.

Common Pre-Purchase Findings

A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) on an 8X is a complex, multi-week process. Key areas of focus include:

• PW307D Engine Health: Beyond standard borescope inspections, we analyze detailed engine trend data downloaded from the aircraft. We look for any anomalies in temperature, vibration, or fuel flow that could indicate premature wear or a pending issue not yet apparent. Full ESP enrollment history is verified.
• FalconCare Status: We confirm continuous, paid-up enrollment. Any lapse in coverage is a negotiating point, as reinstatement can be prohibitively expensive. We also review the work-order history under the program to check for recurring or systemic issues.
• HUD/EVS Installation: If the FalconEye Combined Vision System is installed, the PPI must include a thorough functional evaluation by a certified technician. We inspect the quality of the installation, looking for any evidence of improper wiring, mounting stress, or software conflicts with the EASy III avionics.
• Cabin Completion & Condition: Given the high variability of custom interiors, we scrutinize every detail. We look for premature wear on high-touch surfaces, delamination of veneers, and the functionality of all automated systems (lighting, window shades, entertainment). We also check the quality and documentation of any third-party modifications made since the initial completion.
• Digital Flight Control System: Logged faults in the digital flight control system are reviewed. While the system is highly reliable, intermittent sensor or computer issues can be difficult to diagnose and are a point of focus.

Mission Fit

The ideal Falcon 8X owner requires trans-oceanic range combined with the ability to operate from performance-limited airports. It is for the principal who flies from New York to St. Moritz, or from Shanghai to a remote project site. The three-engine configuration provides an extra layer of security and ETOPS flexibility over water that appeals to a certain buyer profile. It is less suited for operators whose missions are primarily domestic or confined to one continent, where its long-range capabilities would be underutilized relative to its acquisition and operating costs.

Comparable Aircraft

• Gulfstream G550: The G550 is a legendary aircraft with a slightly longer range (6,750 nm). It offers a wider cabin but cannot match the 8X's short-field performance. Its two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines are robust, but the 8X offers the redundancy of a tri-jet. The G550 is an older design, and its acquisition cost on the pre-owned market is significantly lower, but its avionics and cabin technology are a generation behind.

• Gulfstream G650: The G650 is a direct competitor in terms of range and speed (7,000 nm, Mach 0.925 MMO). It boasts a larger, wider cabin and is the clear winner for those prioritizing pure cabin volume and speed. However, the 8X can access thousands of airports that the G650 simply cannot due to its field performance requirements. The acquisition cost for a G650 is also substantially higher. The choice often comes down to cabin size and speed vs. operational flexibility.

• Bombardier Global 6000: Similar in range and cabin size to the 8X, the Global 6000 is another key competitor. It offers a well-regarded cabin experience but, like the Gulfstreams, cannot compete with the 8X’s short-field capabilities. The operating economics are broadly similar.

Madison's Take

The Falcon 8X is the thinking person's ultra-long-range jet. You're not buying the widest cabin, but you are buying access and flexibility that no direct competitor can offer. The three-engine design and short-field agility are its key differentiators, providing mission capabilities that are simply off the table for others. If your destinations include challenging airports without sacrificing trans-oceanic reach, the 8X stands alone.