April 3, 2024
Flexjet said it has taken delivery of its first Embraer Praetor 500. It is part of a $1.4 billion order announced in October with Embraer Executive Jets. The order includes the Praetor 500 and 600 aircraft and Phenom 300 light jets.
Flexjet is the fleet launch customer for the Praetor 500, expanding its fleet of midsized aircraft. It is also the North American launch customer for the Gulfstream G700.
“We have long been partners with Embraer, helping to launch aircraft such as the Legacy Executive, the Phenom 300 and the Legacy 450, said Flexjet CEO Michael Silvestro.
He added, “Now we take the next step in that relationship, making the Praetor 500 — the most technologically advanced aircraft in its category —available to Flexjet owners first.”
The Praetor 500 is the next generation of the Embraer Legacy 450, which Flexjet introduced to the market in 2016. It has become a popular component of the premium Red Label fleet offering.
Because of similarities in their platforms, Embraer is able to convert a Legacy 450 into a Praetor 500.
In addition to purchasing new Praetor 500 aircraft Flexjet will upgrade all of its Legacy 450s to Praetor 500s.
“As the Praetor fleet launch customer, Flexjet, once again, will lead the fractional ownership market with the introduction of this modern midsize aircraft,” said Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets.
The Praetor upgrades the Legacy 450 to a transcontinental aircraft. It brings seven hours of nonstop flight time.
The Praetor’s range of 3,843 statute miles is powered by advanced, quiet, fuel-efficient Honeywell engines. The distance capabilities are possible because of the jet’s increased fuel capacity and much larger, aerodynamically efficient winglets.
This aircraft offers a sea-level cabin altitude through 27,140 feet and gradually rises thereafter to a maximum of 5,800 feet when at 45,000 ft.
The cabin’s low altitude is complemented by “whisper-silent acoustic comfort, further enhanced by the smoothest flight possible with the class-exclusive full fly-by-wire technology that dynamically reduces turbulence.”
The 6-foot stand-up cabins have flat floors and granite flooring in the lavatory.
The Praetor 500s also have advanced technology, including an industry-exclusive Upper Tech Panel that displays flight information and offers cabin management features also available on personal devices through Honeywell Ovation Select.
Flexjet is expected to launch a European program in 2020. Currently, its jet card offering is limited to the Phenom 300 and Challenger 300.
