April 3, 2024
Nearly two dozen Praetor 500, Praetor 600, and Challenger 3500s will join Flexjet’s fleet during the remainder of the year, according to a press release.
Flexjet will add 22 mid-and super-midsize private jets to its fleet by the end of 2023, according to its current delivery schedule.
Included are the Praetor 600 and Challenger 3500, both super midsize jets, and the Praetor 500, a midsize jet with a transcontinental range.
“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,” said Flexjet Executive Vice President of Sales D.J. Hanlon.
He added, “The aircraft available to travelers within this offering present mission versatility that is unmatched by any other private aviation provider.”
Flexjet added the Praetor 600 to its North American fleet after two years operating in Europe and seven years flying the Praetor 500 and its predecessor, the Legacy 450.
Since 2018, Flexjet has nearly doubled its fleet of aircraft capable of nonstop transcontinental flights.
“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,” said Hanlon.
Rival NetJets recently announced it intends to introduce the Praetor 500 to its fleet with up to 250 of the type. However, the first arrivals aren’t due to begin arriving until 2025.
NetJets and Flexjet are the first and second largest U.S. private jet operators based on charter and fractional flight hours.
Hanlon noted, “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.”
All three types will be part of the Red Label by Flexjet program featuring pilots assigned to a specific aircraft and the LXi custom cabin interiors.
Flexjet expects its worldwide 270 aircraft by year-end, excluding helicopters.
The current fleet includes the Phenom 300, a light jet; the Praetor 500 and 600; Challenger 350s and 3500s; and the Gulfstream G450s and G650s.
Flexjet ended 2022, having hired 350 additional pilots.
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.
Last week Flexjet relaunched its jet card, opening sales to new customers for the first time since 2021.
