How to Avoid the Elephant in the Spec Room

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Why no-charge options weigh you down

A business jet purchase is a unique celebration for each and every one of our customers. For some, the jet is a flying symbol of a life’s work steeped with successful ventures. For corporate fleets and individuals alike, it’s the sharpest arrow in their quiver when it comes to productivity and time savings.

Compromise is a trait no one aboard a business jet embraces, nor should the aircraft manufacturer. Yet, more and more, instances of equipping and marketing aircraft with “no-charge options” (a.k.a post-purchase compromises) are part of options catalogues. These options masquerade as seemingly mundane additions and, once equipped, weigh an aircraft down, compromising performance—most notably range.

The elephant in the spec room

Does your private suite require free-of-charge walls and doors to create a private ambiance? Yes. Add 300+ pounds. Would you like a standard or premium seat? Both are free. Add 100+ pounds for premium. Could a free main-door curtain help reduce noise and improve insulation? Yes. Add 13+ pounds. Do you want free Ka-band internet equipment? Yes. Add 100+ pounds.

The lists can go on. While it doesn’t add up on the bill it certainly adds up on the scale, and the aircraft’s stated range performance simply drops. It’s a shame that in some cases “free” could add up to more than 1,000 lb—not quite the average elephant, but close to the average water buffalo—and enough to limit an average aircraft’s range up to 300 nautical miles.

Smoothly flying above compromise

Needless to say, no-charge, post-purchase compromises are not the Bombardier way. Bombardier has doubled down on real-world performance. For example, a Global 7500 jet’s stated range includes baseline Ka-band equipment, a full kitchen—with microwave and steam ovens, that both convert to convection when needed, and a coffee machine—bulkheads, mid-cabin and pocket doors and the revolutionary Nuage seat.

Bombardier customers dream big and their aircraft is an extension of that. Flying in the industry’s best-equipped jets, from Learjet and Challenger to Global, is as it should be, an escape—a tranquil and productive haven fueled by award-winning design and engineering mastery.

Full fuel, full load, full range

A no-compromise approach is as akin to Bombardier as the smooth ride customers experience from uncompromisingly flexible wing designs. Flying comfortably, smoothly from A to B shouldn’t require a stop. So when it comes to getting the details right during a spec session, make sure to carefully consult your range map with and without no-charge options.

Fundamentally, any exceptional aircraft experience starts simply by avoiding the elephant in the spec room—unless you’ve chosen Bombardier.

About Bombardier

With 68,000 employees across four business segments, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries across the segments of Transportation, Business Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft and Aerostructures and Engineering Services. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2 billion US.

News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Source: FlightGlobal.com