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Falcon 900

Dassault Aviation · Business jet · France · Cold War (1970–1991)

Falcon 900 — Business jet
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The Dassault Falcon 900 is a French three-engine long-range business jet — the larger successor to the Falcon 50. Dassault designed the Falcon 900 in 1983-1984; the prototype first flew on 21 September 1984. About 535 Falcon 900s have been built between 1986 and 2024 at Bordeaux-Mérignac. The aircraft serves business + government VIP operators worldwide through 2026 — production continues at low rates for the modern Falcon 900LX variant.

The Falcon 900EX (typical production variant) uses 3 × Honeywell TFE731-60 turbofan engines (5,000 lbf each). Maximum speed 880 km/h, range 8,800 km, service ceiling 15,500 m. Capacity: 12-14 passengers + 3 crew. The aircraft has been continually updated through multiple variants (Falcon 900, 900B, 900C, 900EX, 900EX-EASy, 900DX, 900LX) over its 40+ year production run.

Falcon 900 service spans worldwide business + government VIP operators. Major operators include French Presidential transport (post-Falcon 50 use), Japanese government, Saudi government, multiple corporate operators worldwide. About 400 Falcon 900s remain in active service in 2026. The aircraft competes with the Gulfstream G450 / G500 + Bombardier Global 5500 in the large-cabin long-range business jet market.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Dassault Falcon 900 is a French business jet with three engines. It first flew in September 1984. The Falcon 900 is bigger and flies farther than the older Falcon 50. About 535 Falcon 900s have been built since 1986.

The Falcon 900 can carry 12 to 14 passengers in a luxury cabin. It has three Honeywell turbofan engines, each with 5,000 pounds of thrust. The plane can fly 5,500 miles without stopping, which is far enough to fly from New York to Tokyo.

The Falcon 900 is about as long as a city bus. Its top speed is 545 mph. The plane is popular with heads of state and big companies because its three engines give it extra safety on long ocean flights.

Dassault keeps updating the Falcon 900 with new versions called the 900B, 900C, 900EX, and 900LX. The newest 900LX is still in production at the Bordeaux-Mérignac factory in France. The plane has been flying for more than 40 years and is still going strong.

Fun Facts

  • The Falcon 900 has three engines, like the older Falcon 50.
  • About 535 Falcon 900s have been built since 1986.
  • The plane can fly 5,500 miles without stopping — far enough to cross the Pacific.
  • It carries 12 to 14 passengers in a luxury cabin.
  • Dassault keeps building updated versions called the 900B, 900C, 900EX, and 900LX.
  • The plane has been in production for more than 40 years.

Kids’ Questions

How is the Falcon 900 different from the Falcon 50?

The Falcon 900 is bigger, has a wider cabin, and can fly farther than the Falcon 50. It uses newer engines and has more passenger room. Both planes have three engines, but the Falcon 900 is the more grown-up version with modern computer systems and bigger windows.

Why update the same plane for 40 years?

Designing a brand-new plane costs billions of dollars and takes many years. Updating an existing plane is much cheaper. Dassault keeps the basic Falcon 900 body and wings but updates the engines, electronics, and cockpit. Each new version is better than the last.

Variants

Falcon 900 / 900B / 900C (early)
Original variants 1986-2002. About 220 built.
Falcon 900EX / 900EX-EASy
Improved variants 1995-2010. About 200 built.
Falcon 900LX (modern)
Modern variant with winglets + range to 8,800 km. About 115 built 2010-2024.

Notable Operators

Worldwide business + government VIP
~400 airframes in business + government VIP service worldwide.
French + Japanese + Saudi government VIP
Multiple Falcon 900s in major-government VIP transport service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Falcon 900 different from the Falcon 50?

The Falcon 50 is the smaller predecessor (9 passengers, range 6,500 km). The Falcon 900 is the larger successor (12-14 passengers, range 8,800 km) with refined three-engine layout + larger cabin + improved avionics. Same general trijet configuration; Falcon 900 production has continued for 40+ years across 8 sub-variants vs. Falcon 50's 30-year production run.

Sources

See Also