There's a title bout underway between the top contenders in the business-jet ring, and Bombardier is looking like an early favorite with its 19-seat Global 8000. Not only is the aircraft, which broke the sound barrier in flight tests, the fastest business jet in aviation history, it established a second milestone with its 8,000-nautical-mile range. For owners, that means the $83 million jet can fly nonstop between most of the world's major cities while affording unprecedented levels of comfort.
These range wars come as no surprise. “The big builders have always had great interest in the top of the market—having the biggest, fastest, longest offering—and it's getting crowded,” says Brian Foley, a consultant and former aviation executive. Besides the Global 8000, Foley points to the Gulfstream G800, scheduled to go…