Dassault now has two Falcon 10X test jets in the air

Dassault has added a second Falcon 10X prototype to flight testing after its first takeoff on September 24. The flagship business jet is now targeting service entry in 2029.

• Second Falcon 10X prototype first flew on September 24, 2026
• First prototype made its maiden flight on June 19, 2026
• First aircraft is flying about 3 sorties a week from Istres
• Typical test flights are around 4 hours
• Entry into service target has moved to 2029

Dassault has put a second Falcon 10X prototype into the flight-test program, giving the French manufacturer two aircraft to work through envelope expansion and systems checks. The second aircraft, serial number 2, flew from Mérignac near Bordeaux on September 24.

The first prototype is operating from Istres in southern France at about three flights a week, with sorties lasting around four hours. Dassault is using the work to test higher speeds, higher altitudes and more demanding angles of attack.

The timing matters because the Falcon 10X is Dassault’s answer to the top end of the long-range jet market. Its planned entry into service has slipped to 2029, so adding another test aircraft is a concrete sign of progress, but also a reminder that certification for new large-cabin jets is taking longer.