Innovation and optimism on display as NBAA-BACE 2025 wows
attendees and exhibitors

The National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) supercharged an industry driven by strong growth and a blazing pace of innovation.

From a packed exhibit hall and standing-room-only crowds, to a dazzling NBAA Aircraft Connection and nearly nonstop announcements, the 2025 NBAA-BACE showcased an industry ready to take on the future.

“From the moment we opened the doors, it was clear this NBAA-BACE would be a monumental gathering for our industry,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “With boundless energy and great vibes, this show captured all that is unique and exciting about business aviation.”

The 2025 show led off with an unforgettable performance by multiplatinum artist, pilot and aviation champion Dierks Bentley, who shared how his career in music-making has been interwoven with his love of aviation. On the keynote stage, Bolen presented aerospace visionary Steuart Walton with business aviation’s highest honor, NBAA’s Meritorious Service to Aviation Award.

A dizzying array of new technologies, never-before-seen aircraft and business ventures were unveiled at NBAA-BACE, including the world debut of Textron Aviation’s new Cessna Citation Ascend midsize jet and Otto Aerospace’s Phantom 3500 business jet, featuring advanced laminar-flow design.

Newly formed company BOND chose NBAA-BACE for its launch as a fractional provider, announcing its large order of 50 Bombardier Challenger 3500 and Global 6500 jets. Real Jet, a business aviation brokerage firm, also made its rollout at the show.

Blockbuster deals and innovation milestones marked the convention from start to finish. Bombardier announced its Global 8000 had achieved a max operating speed of Mach 0.95, becoming the world’s fastest subsonic civil aircraft.

With an all-new format this year, the NBAA Aircraft Connection buzzed with the full diversity of high-tech business aircraft, from pistons to turboprops and jets. Gulfstream exhibited nearly its entire line, with a mockup of the just-revealed G300 making its NBAA-BACE debut.

The new Tribute to Flight Pavilion hosted vintage airplanes from a Learjet 23 and World War II aircraft to the Jet Age alongside cutting-edge models, such as Game Aerospace’s aerobatic GB1 GameBird.

In the convention center’s entryway atrium, Archer Aviation showed off its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Midnight. Next to the futuristic eVTOL, the all-new NBAA-BACE Creator Studio, powered by Signature Aviation, provided a venue to connect with some of the most high-profile social media influencers and podcasters in business aviation.

On the show floor, Boom Supersonic, the startup developing a faster-than-sound jet, exhibited at NBAA-BACE for the first time. Skyryse demoed its simplified flight control system to enhance safety and make aircraft easier to operate. Attendees had a chance to see uAvionix air traffic management systems for safely integrating advanced air mobility into the nation’s airspace.

At a timely newsmakers lunch on the show’s media day, Rep. Sam Graves (R-6-MO), Congress’ lead transportation policymaker, spoke about the urgent push in Washington to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), spoke about the importance of the industry’s unified collaboration on safety leadership.

CNBC’s Phil LeBeau moderated a discussion with the CEOs of Bombardier, Embraer Executive Jets, Flexjet and Textron Aviation on business aviation’s future, the role of AI and ongoing workforce challenges.

NBAA-BACE provided countless opportunities to foster connection and promote new ideas.

The interactive NBAA Flight Deck hosted conversations with top leaders on the next generation of airspace, safety and the fast-moving business aviation market. In a year of intense focus on aviation safety, NBAA hosted the association’s latest National Safety Forum, NBAA Single-Pilot Safety Standdown and NBAA Small Operators Symposium.

The inaugural NBAA-BACE Military Connect presented a special program designed for veterans, by veterans, for those exploring a civilian career in business aviation. Military Connect offered a full slate of sessions, networking opportunities, job search tools in the Career Zone and access to hundreds of potential employers.

At an overflowing and exuberant YoPro Networking Reception and Helpy Hour, the NBAA Young Professionals (YoPros) celebrated their annual hands-on community service project. NBAA Collegiate Connect gave students a firsthand look at jobs in business aviation, with advice from industry pros at a range of career stages and tips for breaking into the industry.

At the show’s Awards Luncheon, NBAA’s 2025 Top 40 Under 40 were recognized and Aviation Personnel International CEO Sheryl Barden received business aviation’s highest honor, the NBAA Meritorious Service to Aviation Award, to a standing ovation.

In total, there were more than 75 education sessions at NBAA-BACE on hot topics, from the latest thinking about leadership, maintenance, operations, regulations and more.

Before and after the show, NBAA-BACE offered five Professional Development Program (PDP) courses to help people in the industry level-up their careers. The show also held its inaugural “Maintenance Track,” which allowed participants to qualify for up to eight hours of inspection authorization (IA) renewal credit.

The 2025 NBAA Tax, Regulatory and Risk Management Conference gave a timely look at aircraft transactions in a shifting tax-and-tariff environment.

The Business Aviation Sustainability Summit charted the industry’s mission to net-zero emissions, innovations and the market for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which can reduce aviation’s lifecycle carbon emissions by as much as 80%. Las Vegas-area airports also made SAF available throughout 2025 NBAA-BACE.

“The 2025 NBAA-BACE fired the imagination, inspired an industry and highlighted the breakthroughs and pioneers ushering in a bright new era in business aviation,” Bolen said. “Business was conducted and connections made. This show had a tremendous vibe.”

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 16th October 2025 | Issue #815