PARIS– Dassault Aviation has reached a major milestone in its flagship business jet program after the Falcon 10X successfully completed its maiden flight, marking the beginning of a comprehensive flight-test campaign for the ultra-long-range aircraft.
The first flight took place on June 19, 2026, from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD), where the aircraft demonstrated key systems and flight characteristics during a mission lasting approximately two and a half hours.
The achievement signals growing confidence in the program as Dassault moves closer to certification and entry into service.
Falcon 10X Flight Enters Testing
The Falcon 10X departed runway 23 at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport at 11:10 a.m. local time with Test Pilot Sébastien Dupont de Dinechin and copilot Fabrice Dougnac at the controls.
During the flight, the crew evaluated the aircraft’s handling qualities and onboard systems at an altitude of 15,000 feet. They subsequently retracted the landing gear and tested movable flight-control surfaces before climbing to 40,000 feet.
The aircraft later accelerated to Mach 0.82 as part of the planned test profile. After completing the scheduled evaluations, the Falcon 10X returned to Bordeaux-Mérignac and landed smoothly at 1:40 p.m., concluding a successful inaugural mission.
Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier described the first flight as a significant milestone for the company.
He noted that the achievement reflected years of work by engineering, manufacturing, and flight-test teams, along with contributions from Dassault’s global industrial partners.
According to the company, the successful flight confirms the maturity of the Falcon 10X program and opens the next phase of testing and validation.
Falcon 10X Flight Test Program
The maiden flight marks the official launch of the Falcon 10X flight-test campaign, which will expand considerably in the coming months.
Dassault confirmed that a second test aircraft is nearing completion and will soon join the flight-test fleet. The additional aircraft will help accelerate performance evaluations, systems verification, and certification activities.
A third aircraft is also under construction and will feature a fully equipped interior. This test platform will focus primarily on cabin functionality, system reliability, and passenger comfort assessments.
The multi-aircraft approach is expected to support a faster and more comprehensive certification process while allowing engineers to evaluate multiple areas of the aircraft simultaneously.
Dassault Market Position Strengthens Globally
The Falcon 10X represents Dassault Aviation’s latest entry into the large-cabin business jet segment, where manufacturers continue to compete for long-range and high-comfort corporate travel demand.
The company stated that it is currently the only aircraft manufacturer with a completely new aircraft conducting flight operations in 2026. Dassault attributes this progress to its combined expertise in both civil and military aviation programs.
Founded more than a century ago, Dassault Aviation has delivered over 10,000 military and civil aircraft worldwide, including approximately 2,800 Falcon business jets. The manufacturer reported revenue of €7.4 billion in 2025 and employed around 15,000 people.
With the Falcon 10X now airborne, Dassault enters a critical development stage as it works toward certification and future deliveries of what is expected to become the largest and most advanced business jet in its Falcon lineup.
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