Flexjet LLC announced this week at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) that it has officially confirmed a firm order for 20 additional Challenger 350 super-midsized business jets by Bombardier Aerospace.
This is in addition to an order for 20 Challenger 350 Bombardier aircraft ordered in 2013. Flexjet said it increased its original order because of unprecedented success with the company’s new Red Label offering that includes the Challenger 350 aircraft.
“The Bombardier-built Challenger 350 aircraft has been featured in our highly popular Red Label offering. This has elevated the expectations of discerning travelers around the world and challenged the industry to do better,” said
Michael Silvestro, Flexjet’s Chief Executive Officer. “Officially doubling our order will enable us to meet the increase in demand we are seeing from our Owners and provide a solid platform for future growth,” added Silvestro, who made the announcement at EBACE on the heels of Flexjet announcing plans for an expanded European presence.
The order, originally included in a November 2015 memorandum of understanding between Flexjet and Bombardier, will result in 43 Challenger 300/350 series aircraft flying in the Flexjet fleet by the end of 2016. An additional four Challenger 350 aircraft will follow in 2017, with the remainder delivered over the next five years.
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“The Challenger 350 business jet is the benchmark for dependability, performance and cabin comfort, offering a travel experience that is unrivalled by any other aircraft in its class,” said
David M. Coleal, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “Flexjet has been a valued Bombardier customer for many years, and we’re thrilled that the incomparable Challenger 350 aircraft is part of their growth and continuing success.”
Considered one of the world’s most mission-versatile business jets, the Challenger 350 aircraft can carry up to eight passengers in Flexjet’s smart interior configuration, has a maximum operating altitude of 45,000 feet, a top cruising speed of 528 MPH and a transcontinental range of 3,200 nautical miles. Its extraordinarily quiet cabin allows passengers to converse at comfortable levels or relax in peace.
The Challenger 350 aircraft is the successor to Bombardier’s venerable Challenger 300 business jet, which has served in Flexjet’s fleet since the company’s founding two decades ago. Since accepting their first Challenger 300 aircraft, Flexjet Owners have logged nearly 97 million miles in the beloved aircraft. Flexjet flies the largest combined fleet of Challenger 300 and 350s of any operator in its space, nearly 40% more than others. The Challenger 300 was so popular that Bombardier relied on Flexjet’s extensive operating data and user experience information for the plane to design many of the advances available on the Challenger 350 business jet.
The Challenger 350 business jet is the perfect aircraft for Flexjet’s Red Label offering, which bridges the gap between traditional shared ownership programs and whole-aircraft ownership, providing Owners with the feeling that they are flying on their own plane.
Red Label offers access to the world’s newest shared jet fleet, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and exclusive artisan interiors that are the most distinctive ever offered to travelers by a shared provider. As part of Red Label, Flexjet offers three exclusive artisan interiors on the Challenger 350 aircraft, a feature that sets it apart from any other operator of the aircraft. These unique interiors are matched with additional elements of the Red Label offering, including flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and access to the world’s newest shared jet fleet, providing a premium level of comfort and customization.
“Bombardier-built Challenger aircraft have been the backbone of the Flexjet fleet since our founding in 1995, and no other shared provider in the world has been flying them as long as we have. This order confirms that Challenger aircraft will continue to be a vital aircraft of our fleet going forward,” said
Silvestro.
See
also:
Flexjet to expand international operations
Flexjet Legacy 500, marking Embraer’s 1,000th business jet, completes certification to become first to fly into London City Airport
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