On April 19, 2016, fractional provider Flexjet took delivery of Embraer’s 1,000th business jet. This landmark occurs a little more than a decade after the company fully committed to the business aviation market.
“Delivering 1,000 business jets to more than 60 countries in just over a decade reflects our strong ability to listen to our customers and respond to them with innovative solutions for different needs,” said Marco Tulio Pellegrini, president and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “We are especially pleased to celebrate this important achievement with our distinguished customer, Flexjet, which has honored us with its trust since we first entered business aviation.”
The 1,000th aircraft, a midsize Legacy 500, is the fourth of its kind to join the Flexjet fleet and is part of a firm order for both Legacy 500 and Legacy 450 jets. “Embraer’s Legacy midsized aircraft are a natural progression for us since they meet a growing demand for jets with larger cabins, longer range capabilities and industry-leading operating economics,” said Michael Silvestro, CEO at Flexjet. “As part of the Red Label by Flexjet fleet, the Legacy 500 and 450 will effectively deliver the speed, luxury and performance our owners expect.”
Embraer’s first business jet program, the Legacy, was officially launched in July 2000 during the Farnborough Air Show in the UK, and the first aircraft was delivered two years later. The aircraft was built on the ERJ-135 regional airliner platform.
In 2005, the company reaffirmed its commitment to the market with the creation of a new business unit specifically for business aviation. Embraer Executive Jets was established to provide integrated solutions to support both the Legacy program – later renamed the Legacy 600 – and the development of a broad portfolio of jets.
Embraer Executive Jets’ first clean-sheet aircraft were the entry-level light Phenom family, launched in 2005. The company credits a strategic partnership with BMW DesignWorksUSA and extensive customer interaction to the delivery of its key design drivers. Deliveries of the Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300 started at the end of 2008 and 2009, respectively. More than 320 Phenom 100s are currently in operation in 37 countries and more than 330 Phenom 300s are operating in 25 countries.
Embraer Executive Jets’ flagship aircraft, the Lineage 1000E, was unveiled in 2006 and the first delivery followed three years later. The ultra-large business jet, which is based on the Embraer 190 commercial jet, features five distinct zones with 752ft² for up to 19 passengers. The global fleet includes more than 20 Lineage 1000Es.
In 2009, Embraer Executive Jets launched the large Legacy 650, based on the super-midsize Legacy 600. Featuring three cabin zones and a complete galley, the Legacy 650 also offered a longer range, seating for up to 14 passengers, and a state-of-the-art sound insulation package. The high-speed internet datalink was upgraded to Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband system. The Legacy 650 was also equipped with Honeywell’s Primus Elite avionics suite, a feature that later was introduced to the Legacy 600.
For the midsize market, Embraer Executive Jets launched the Legacy 450/500 program. Both aircraft feature a 6ft-tall flat-floor cabin and IFE featuring HD video, surround sound, multiple audio and video input options, a CMS and three options for voice communications and connectivity. The Legacy 500 and Legacy 450 entered service in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Together, Embraer Executive Jets’ four Legacy models account for more than 300 aircraft in more than 20 countries.
April 21, 2016
