Dassault’s Falcon 10X is Finally Flying

French manufacturer’s longest-range airframe begins flight testing 5 years after it was announced.

Monday, June 22, 2026 at 01:06 PM ET

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Dassault’s Falcon 10X takes off from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport in France on its inaugural test flight. [Credit: Dassault Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Dassault Aviation's ultra-long-range Falcon 10X business jet successfully completed its maiden two-and-a-half-hour test flight from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport.
The 10X is designed to compete in the ultra-long-range market, emphasizing its exceptionally spacious cabin, 7,500 nm range, and luxurious interior features.
Key technical aspects include an all-composite wing, new aerodynamics, powerful Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engines, and an advanced NeXus flight deck with a side stick controller.
The successful inaugural flight marks a new phase for the Falcon 10X's development, with additional test aircraft nearing completion for further evaluations.

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Five years after Dassault Aviation announced its ultra-long-range Falcon 10X to compete with the likes of Gulfstream’s G800 and Bombardier’s Global 8000, the French manufacturer’s most ambitious business jet yet is airborne.

Dassault pilots Sébastien Dupont de Dinechin and Fabrice Dougnac took off Friday from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport’s (LFBD) runway 23 and flew the 10X for two and a half hours on its debut test flight. The aircraft bears the French experimental registration F-WNXT.

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.