SAINT-CLOUD, France (June 19, 2026) – Dassault Aviation’s highly anticipated, all-new flagship business jet, the Falcon 10X, has successfully completed its maiden flight. Taking off from the company’s Bordeaux-Mérignac facility, the aircraft spent two hours and thirty minutes in the air under the command of test pilots Sébastien Dupont de Dinechin and Fabrice Dougnac. During the inaugural flight, the crew thoroughly evaluated the aircraft's handling qualities and core systems, initially at 15,000 feet before climbing to an altitude of 40,000 feet and accelerating to a speed of Mach 0.82. The flight concluded with a smooth landing back at Bordeaux-Mérignac, officially kicking off an extensive flight test campaign and making Dassault the only aircraft manufacturer in the world to put an entirely new aircraft design into the air in 2026.

To fast-track its certification process, Dassault is utilizing a multi-aircraft testing strategy. While this first prototype focuses on expanding the flight envelope, a second prototype is nearing completion to join the campaign shortly. A third prototype is also being outfitted with a fully completed interior, which will be used primarily to test cabin functionality, environmental systems, and real-world reliability. Test pilot Dupont de Dinechin praised the maiden voyage, noting that it was the culmination of years of hard work by thousands of employees and partners, and that the aircraft performed exactly as planned.

The Falcon 10X enters the ultra-long-range market with record-breaking specifications and cutting-edge innovations. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engines that deliver over 18,000 pounds of thrust and are compatible with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the jet boasts a massive range of 7,500 nautical miles at Mach 0.85, with a top speed of Mach 0.925. It also features the most spacious cabin in business aviation history, measuring 9 feet 1 inch wide and 6 feet 8 inches high. Furthermore, the aircraft is packed with advanced safety technology derived from military aviation, including a single Smart Throttle controlling both engines, advanced Head-Up Displays, and automatic recovery systems, all paired with a brand-new, highly efficient fully composite wing designed to drastically minimize drag.