Flexjet Celebrates 20th Anniversary and Orders Legacy 450s and 500s

A year-and-a-half ago, Bombardier sold its Flexjet fractional-share provider to Directional Aviation and now Flexjet is celebrating its 20th anniversary. “A lot of players have come and gone out of our little space, and it’s quite an accomplishment that Flexjet has not only survived but thrived,” said CEO Michael Silvestro.

Part of the thriving includes significant orders for new aircraft that expand the fractional fleet’s capabilities and offer more travel options for shareowners. The company has ordered Gulfstream G450s—with the first one arriving next month—G500s and G650s; the first G650 arrives in the fourth quarter next year and the first G500 in 2017. More recently, Flexjet elected to order an unspecified number of Embraer Legacy 450s and 500s, which replace the 60 Learjet 85s the company planned to buy. Bombardier has officially "paused" the Learjet 85 program, and Flexjet needs something to offer the more than 60 customers who bought Learjet 85 shares. “It was a product category that they were looking forward to, and we wanted to make sure to keep them in the family,” Silvestro explained. The first Legacy 500 will join the Flexjet fleet in this year’s fourth quarter, followed by the first Legacy 450 in the second quarter next year. The rest of the fleet includes the Phenom 300, Learjet 40 and 75LXi and Challenger 300, 350LXi and 605.