Story ID: 
Flexjet Launches Learjet 85 Frax Program
By: Nigel Moll
Caption: Flexjet, Bombardier’s Texas-based fractional ownership program, launched a Learjet 85 program yesterday.
Word Count: 178
Flexjet, Bombardier’s Texas-based fractional ownership program, launched a Learjet 85 program yesterday. In an interview with AIN today, Flexjet president Fred Reid said the company will take seven aircraft initially, and eventually “a couple of dozen,” with deliveries beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013. He noted that Flexjet’s Learjet 85 prices will be 5 percent below those of the Cessna Sovereign in fractional service. Flexjet’s current fleet–which the company claims is the youngest in the industry, with an average aircraft age of approximately four years–stands at 85 jets, including Learjet 40XRs, 45XRs and 60XRs and Challenger 300s and 605s. Currently under development, the Learjet 85 will be the first Part 25-certified business jet built primarily of carbon composites. It will also offer the largest cabin of any Learjet–accommodating eight passengers in a traditional double-club seating arrangement, with 30 inches between each seat and standup headroom–along with “solid transcon” range of 3,000 nm and Mach 0.82 high-speed cruise. Bombardier headquarters declined to respond this morning when asked when the airplane will fly and how many are on order.