Bond To Shake, Not Stir, Fractional Market with $1.7B Bombardier Order

U.S. start-up company Bond revealed plans on Tuesday to launch a fractional ownership operation with a fleet of Bombardier Challenger 3500s and Global 6500s under a previously announced $1.7 billion, 50-aircraft order. Including options for up to 70 more—potentially also including Global 8000s—that could push the total value to $4 billion, the order was originally disclosed in June, but Bombardier did not reveal the customer at that time. Bond plans to start service in 2027.

The deal includes a service agreement under which Bombardier’s U.S. service network will support the aircraft and provide onsite maintenance resources dedicated to the Bond fleet. “This agreement goes beyond an aircraft order. It marks a first-of-a-kind, uniquely integrated services collaboration,” said Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel.

The launch is backed by $320 million in preferred equity and debt financing led by credit funds and accounts managed by global investment firm KKR, with $30 million in equity funding from a group of founding partners. Bond announced the closing of the financing as well on Tuesday at the static display at NBAA-BACE at Henderson Executive Airport.

Led by chairman and group CEO Bill Papariella, the former CEO of Jet Edge and founder of Aero Ventures, Bond will target “premium private flyers who value exclusivity over scale,” the company said in detailing its plans.

Calling the service “Fractional 2.0,” Bond said the operation will have the first 100% super-midsize and large-cabin fractional fleet, creating a category around long-range travel. Another differentiator, according to Bond, is that every flight will have a flight attendant on board.

“We are not building for scale. We are building for the select few who expect service perfection every time they fly,” Papariella said.

Features of the Bond program include a limit of 10 owners per aircraft, which the company said is the lowest of any fractional provider; an exclusive fleet reserved only for fractional owners with no access to jet cards or charter; increased standby capacity with reserved aircraft pre-positioned to cover peak customer demand; evergreen membership with “an intelligent capital efficient design;” and “the highest-paid and most experienced pilots.”

As for the selection of the Bombardier jets, Papariella added, “Our relationship with [Bombardier’s] team spans many years through my previous work in the aftermarket space at Jet Edge, and I’ve seen firsthand the culture, consistency, and service mindset that make Bombardier exceptional. This relationship isn’t simply about aircraft—it’s about shared values and a long-term commitment to redefining reliability and care in private aviation.”

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he added, “I think we likely pulled off the fastest deal in the history of aviation and capital markets for buying a fleet. The vision was not just to create another fractional program. I think we can all agree that the demand for fractional over the last cycle speaks for itself. It’s been dominated by a number of individuals who have done an absolutely phenomenal job perfecting that model.”

For KKR, this continues an ongoing relationship it has had with Papariella, previously providing multiple rounds of financing for Jet Edge, which was ultimately sold to Vista. In addition, KKR has acquired Atlantic Aviation and led financing for Greenbriar Equity Group’s acquisition of West Star Aviation.