BIRMINGHAM, UK — Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrived in the United Kingdom on Wednesday around lunchtime, touching down at Birmingham Airport (BHX) aboard a Bombardier Global Express XRS ultra-long-range business jet.
The private flight departed from Van Nuys, California, carrying the couple alongside their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.Flight trackers logged the aircraft touching down at 11:56 a.m. local time on Runway 33/15 at BHX.
Aircraft Specifications: Bombardier Global Express XRS
The Bombardier Global Express XRS (Extended Range Special) is one of the premier transcontinental ultra-long-range purpose-built business jets, engineered specifically for non-stop intercontinental travel.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier Aerospace (Canada) |
| Max Range | 6,150 nautical miles (~7,077 miles / 11,390 km) |
| Cruising Speed | Mach 0.85 (approx. 562 mph / 904 km/h) |
| Service Ceiling | 51,000 feet |
| Powerplant | 2× Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR710A2-20 turbofans |
| Capacity | Typically 12–16 passengers in a multi-zone cabin |
The aircraft easily handled the ~5,400-mile non-stop transpacific/transatlantic journey from Southern California to the English Midlands without needing a refueling stop. Powered by Rolls-Royce engines, the XRS features a three-zone cabin equipped with a high-altitude low-cabin-pressure environment, reducing jet lag on ultra-long-haul trips.
Landing Operations at Birmingham (BHX)
The choice of Birmingham Airport provided the family with a strategically low-profile landing site compared to busier London hubs such as Heathrow or Gatwick.
- FBO Handling: The aircraft taxiing upon arrival directed toward BHX’s private handling facilities (Fixed-Base Operators), allowing the passengers to disembark directly into private ground transportation without traversing the main commercial terminal.
- Security & Ground Clearance:The family departed the airport without a formal blue-light police escort, stepping straight into private vehicles bound for their temporary destination in the nearby Cotswolds region.
- Runway Capability: Birmingham’s single 3,052-meter (10,013 ft) asphalt runway easily accommodates high-gross-weight business jets, providing ample stopping distance and fast clearing onto secondary taxiways.
