Flexjet Accepts Delivery of new Legacy 500, Marks 1,000th Business Jet Built by Embraer Executive Jets

April 19, 2016

  • Flexjet will also begin taking Legacy 450 deliveries later this spring
  • Flexjet experiencing strong market demand for new technology, clean sheet design aircraft

MELBOURNE, FL., APRIL 19, 2016 – Flexjet LLC, offering travelers access to the world’s most luxurious fleet of private jets, today accepted delivery of the 1,000th business jet ever built by Embraer Executive Jets, a division of Embraer S.A. (NYSE: ERJ; BM&FBOVESPA: EMBR3). The midsized Legacy 500 jet was delivered at the Embraer Executive Jets’ Customer Center in Melbourne, Florida, and is part of an order Flexjet placed with Embraer in 2015 that includes the new Legacy 450, due to enter service later this spring.

Taking a milestone delivery from Embraer, one of the world’s most innovative OEMs (original equipment manufacturer), together with Flexjet’s commitment to establishing their midsized program via the Legacy 500 and 450, deepens a powerful partnership. That relationship began with the now-iconic Phenom 300 super-light jet, which has been enormously popular among Flexjet Owners. Over the past 15 years, 50 Embraer aircraft have joined the combined fleets managed by Directional Aviation, Flexjet’s parent.

“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, Flexjet’s Chief Executive Officer. “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.”

FX_1000thDeliverySeal

The Legacy 500 is part of Flexjet’s Red Label, which features access to the world’s newest fractional private jet fleet, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and artisan cabin interiors unlike any ever available before from a fractional operator. Red Label jets provide premium comfort, customization and service that simulate a private flying experience as rewarding and empowering as owning one’s own aircraft.

This will be Flexjet’s fourth Legacy 500 aircraft delivery, and Owner response has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with shares selling beyond expectations.

The Legacy 500 set six world speed records for its class in 2015, has the largest cabin in its class and can carry eight passengers in the Flexjet LXi configuration. This aircraft has a generous 150 cubic feet of luggage space and seven sound reduction design elements. It is the first midsized business jet with digital flight controls, based on Fly-By-Wire technology. It can fly at 45,000 feet and is powered by a pair of Honeywell HTF7500E engines, the most environmentally friendly in their class. With the ability to take off from airfields as short as 4,084 feet, the Legacy 500 has a range of 3,600 miles or 5,793 kilometers.

“I’m thrilled to celebrate this milestone with our global team. In a remarkably short period we have populated the business aviation market with the most advanced and reliable aircraft in the industry. 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 & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “We are especially pleased to celebrate this important achievement with our distinguished customer, Flexjet, which has honored us with their trust since we first entered business aviation.”

About Flexjet
Flexjet first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995, and celebrated its 20th anniversary in May 2015. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing. Flexjet’s fractional aircraft program is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, and Flexjet is the first and only company to be honored with its 17th FAA Diamond Award for Excellence. Flexjet’s fractional program fields an exclusive array of business aircraft—some of the youngest in the fractional jet industry, with an average age of approximately six years—including their LXi Cabin Collection consisting of the Learjet 75LXi, Challenger 350, the Embraer Legacy 450, Global Express and the Gulfstream G450, G500 and G650, and the Aerion AS2 supersonic business jets. In addition, the overall jet collection includes the Embraer Phenom 300, Challenger 300 and Challenger 605. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit fxmultiprod.wpengine.com or follow us on Twitter @Flexjet.

Contact:
Nicholas Parmelee
The Hubbell Group, Inc.
216-406-5602 (cell)
781-878-8882 (office)
[email protected]