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The Dassault Falcon 6X and Dassault Falcon 8X are, as the names suggest, part of the same family. The 6X is the latest and newest member of the family with deliveries due to start in 2022.

The Falcon 8X, on the other hand, is the flagship aircraft of the Dassault Aviation group of civilian business aircraft. Therefore, how do these aircraft differ and which should you choose?

See a comparison of the Falcon 8X with two other flagship aircraft – the Gulfstream G700 and Bombardier Global 7500here.

Performance

The Dassault Falcon 6X is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812D engines. Each engine is capable of producing 13,460 lbf of thrust.

On the other hand, the Dassault Falcon 8X is powered by three Pratt & Whitney Canada PW300 engines. Each engine is capable of producing 6,722 lbf of thrust.

Therefore, in terms of total power output the Falcon 6X has a great thrust output than the 8X. The 6X is able to produce up to 26,920 lbf of thrust, whereas the 8X is able to produce a maximum of 20,166 lbf of thrust.

Both aircraft are capable of cruising at 51,000 feet.

However, an area where less power and three engines is beneficial is fuel burn. The Falcon 6X burns an average of 419 Gallons per Hour (GPH) when in the cruise. Conversely, the Falcon 8X burns just 380 Gallons per Hour (GPH) during the cruise. Considering the size of the aircraft that is a remarkably low fuel burn.

Unfortunately for the 8X an area where less power is not beneficial is maximum cruise speed. As a result of this the Falcon 8X has a maximum cruise speed of 488 knots. This is considerably less than the 516 knot cruise speed of the Falcon 6X.

This is best illustrated by how long it would take each aircraft to fly 1,000 Nautical Miles. Assuming that both aircraft are cruising at their maximum cruise speed, the Falcon 6X will complete each 1,000 Nautical Mile sector 7 minutes quicker than the 8X. Therefore, if you were flying 5,000 Nautical Miles, the 6X will arrive 35 minutes before the 8X with all things being equal.

This is a significant chunk of time.

Range

However, an area where flying slower, having a larger fuel capacity and being more efficient is beneficial is range.

The Falcon 6X has a maximum range of 5,500 Nautical Miles. In comparison the Falcon 8X is able to fly non-stop for up to 6,450 Nautical Miles. Use this tool to visualize this distance.

For example, this difference in range can be illustrated by the fact that the Falcon 8X can, in theory, fly non-stop from New York to Shanghai. The 8X can fly non-stop from New York to anywhere in Japan or South Korea. The 6X would run out of fuel long before reaching Tokyo.

Theoretically the Falcon 6X could just about make it from New York to the Northern tip of Japan. Depending on your mission profile this will likely be the deciding factor between the two aircraft.

Ground Performance

The take off distance of these aircraft is to be expected.

Given that the 6X is smaller and has more power it is able to take off in a shorter distance. The minimum take off distance of the Falcon 6X is 5,480 feet. In comparison the Falcon 8X requires at least 5,910 feet of runway to get in the sky.

However, given the differences between these two aircraft (for example thrust, size and weight), a difference of 500 feet is very respectable.

Minimum landing distance is the opposite story. The minimum landing distance of the Falcon 8X is 2,240 feet compared with the 2,480 of the Falcon 6X.

Interior Dimensions

Unsurprisingly the 8X has the bigger cabin, although not by much. Moreover, the 6X has a wider cabin. An important feature when considering seat width, aisle width and shoulder room.

The Falcon 8X has an interior length of 13 meters, just 70 centimeters longer than the Falcon 6X. A longer cabin allows for greater passenger capacity, increase living spaces and more privacy.

However, the official numbers from Dassault state that both aircraft are able to carry up to 16 passengers. Therefore, the extra 70 centimeters of the 8X will be appreciated by passengers, especially if you were to fill every seat.

However, business jets very rarely have every seat occupied. Therefore, an area that is extremely important is cabin width. The Falcon 6X beats out the 8X with a cabin width of 2.58 meters to 2.34 meters. This is a difference that will be felt and appreciated by passengers. In fact, the difference in width between the aircraft is even noticeable in the images.

Finally, cabin height. Much like width the 6X is taller. The 6X has a cabin height of 1.98 meters compared with the 1.88 meter height that the Falcon 8X has.

That’s the difference between six and a half feet and six feet. Therefore, the 6X is not only able to accommodate taller people but it also opens up the cabin to feel more spacious.

Additionally, the falcon 6X has a larger baggage capacity. The 6X is able to hold 155 cubic feet of baggage compared with the 140 cubic feet of baggage that the 8X can hold.

Interior

Inside the Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X are remarkably similar. After all they are made by the same manufacturer.

Both aircraft have a cabin noise level of 49 decibels. Both aircraft have a maximum cabin altitude of 6,000 feet. The benefit of a low cabin altitude is that it reduces the effects of jet lag. The lower the cabin altitude, the lower the effects of jet lag.

Dassault Falcon 6X Interior

When cruising at 41,000 feet the 6X has a cabin altitude of just 3,900 feet. This ensures that you will feel refreshed at the end of a long flight. The air filtration system on the Falcon 6X keeps you breathing easier and gets fresh air into your lungs. The entire volume of cabin air can be refreshed in under three minutes. Furthermore, Dassault have been able to make the interior of the cabin have some of the lowest sound levels on the market. According to Dassault, the sounds levels are “below the level of normal conversation”.

The 6X has 30 large windows throughout the cabin. Windows are closely spaced to increase the field of view when looking out the window. The volume of natural light entering the cabin is sure to elevate your mood and enlarge your perspective. Incredibly, Dassault have managed to integrate a skylight into the cabin. The first ever in a business aircraft. This drenches the entrance and galley areas in natural light.

A critical aspect of business jets in their connectivity to the outside world. The cabin can be controlled from your own personal device, allowing you to control lighting, volume level and entertainment options. The connectivity onboard will make you feel like your at your own home or office.

Dassault Falcon 8X Interior

With a maximum cabin altitude of just 6,000 feet and being able to maintain a cabin altitude of 3,900 feet when cruising at 41,000 feet, this is much lower than you will find on any airliner and most other business jets. This, combined with the exceptionally quiet cabin noise level of just 49 dB, will ensure that you can work, relax or sleep in the most comfortable environment possible and that you arrive at your destination as fresh as possible.

Featuring the FalconCabin HD+ cabin management system you have control over the environment from anywhere in the cabin (yes, even if you are lying in bed). If you opt for the Skybox you can store iTunes video and music on the server which can be accessed wirelessly throughout the cabin.

The options for layout in this cabin go above and beyond any other business jet on the market. Why not option for the three-lounge cabin with a shower in the rear and a crew rest are in the front? Or maybe you want a shorter entranceway so that you have more lounge space. Perhaps a large entranceway in order to accommodate a spacious, lie-flat crew quarters and a larger galley in order to enjoy gourmet meals while you are in the sky.

A common configuration for the aircraft is to have 14 seats across three living areas. This allows for 6 fully flat beds.

Dassault Falcon 6X Interior

Falcon 6x spacious cabin interior view
Falcon 6X interior seats in talking position with table extended
Falcon 6X galley
Falcon 6X toilet/restroom/lavatory

Dassault Falcon 8X Interior

Dassault 8X Interior
Dassault 8X Interior
Dassault 8X Interior

Charter Price

When it comes to chartering the 8X is more expensive than the 6X. However, please note that there are a variety of factors that can influence the price of a charter flight.

The Dassault Falcon 6X is estimated to have an hourly charter price of $10,000.

On the other hand the Dassault Falcon 8X is estimated to have an hourly charter price of $11,250.

Purchase Price

The trend of the Falcon 8X being more expensive than the 6X also translates to the purchase price of the aircraft.

While the Falcon 6X has a list price of $47 million, the Falcon 8X adds another $11 million to the price tag. The result is list price of $58 million for a new Falcon 8X.

However, Falcon 8X jets hold their value relatively well. The estimated pre-owned price for a 2016 example is $40 million. A 2018 model is estimated to cost $44 million. Therefore, within the first three years of ownership the Falcon 8X will lose around a quarter of its value.

Unfortunately we are unable to provide depreciation figures on the Falcon 6X as deliveries are yet to begin.

Summary

So, which is better?

Both the 6X and 8X can carry the same number of passengers. However, the 8X has a longer cabin. Although the 6X is wider and taller. The 6X can also fly faster. However, the 6X can’t fly as far as the 8X.

Additionally, the 6X is less expensive than the 8X.

Ultimately, the comparison between the Falcon 6X and 8X could go on forever. Of course Dassault have built the 6X to fit the profile of a smaller version of the 8X. This is perhaps best represented by the twin engine design as oppose to the classic tri-engines.

The decision between these two comes down to distance. How far do you need to fly? If the 6X can’t make it then take the 8X. If the 6X can fly it, then choose that.

Dassault have been consistent across their aircraft. The interiors of both aircraft are exceptional. Therefore, the 6X makes sense if it is within its range envelope.

Benedict

Benedict is a dedicated writer, specializing in in-depth discussions of private aviation ownership and its associated topics.