Flexjet to add 22 aircraft to its mid- and super midsized private jet fleet by year end

Continuing a five-year trend of growth in this category, Flexjet is on target to add 22 aircraft to its mid- and super midsized fleet by the end of 2023. This year, Flexjet  already added Embraer Praetor 600 to its North American fleet after 2 years of successful operations in Europe and 7 years of operating the Praetor 500 and its predecessor, the Legacy 450. Flexjet has also incorporated the Bombardier Challenger 3500 in its super midsized private jet offering, setting the industry standard for modernity, range and versatility.

Flexjet Executive Vice President of Sales D.J. Hanlon, commented: “Together with the existing Embraer Praetor 500 and Challenger 350 aircraft flying in our fleet, the addition of the Praetor 600 and the Challenger 3500 has given Flexjet the industry’s leading offering of mid- and super midsized aircraft. The aircraft available to travelers within this offering present mission versatility that is unmatched by any other private aviation provider. Our ability to fly our aircraft Owners on these in-demand aircraft today, and not at some distant time in the future, is further validation of our forward-looking approach. We take pride in foreseeing where the desires of the market will be well into the future to ensure we are always offering the leading experience in global private jet travel.”

Not only does Flexjet understand the market’s demand for the mid- and super-mid aircraft category, but, as far back as 2016, it led the way by identifying and selecting the “best in class” Praetor 500 and its predecessor, the Legacy 450, as a fitting addition to its fleet. A nationwide tour to introduce this aircraft to the market in 2016 confirmed Flexjet’s confidence in the aircraft. And, as the fractional launch customer for the Legacy 450 and Praetor 500, Flexjet has seven years of maintenance and operation experience in this aircraft to help inform future evolutions of the product.

Since 2020, the Praetor 600 has been the backbone of Flexjet fast-growing European fleet, receiving plaudits since Flexjet introduced it as the fleet launch customer for the aircraft. The Praetor 600’s introduction to Flexjet’s U.S. fleet has reflected that jet’s success in Europe. Investment in Flexjet’s mid- and super midsized fleet in North America has been vital to meet the growing demand for coast-to-coast travel. In fact, Flexjet has nearly doubled this part of its fleet since 2018.

This year, Flexjet plans to bring its global fleet size to more than 270 aircraft by year-end (excluding helicopters). The fleet’s composition includes the Embraer Phenom 300 and the Praetor 500 and 600; the Bombardier Challenger 350 and 3500; and the Gulfstream G450 and G650. By the end of 2023, Flexjet will have more than doubled its fleet compared to its size in 2018. Flexjet ended 2022 having hired 350 additional pilots and it plans to hire 388 additional flight crew members and 338 aircraft maintenance technicians in 2023. In total, Flexjet is expected to hire an additional 1,400 employees.