NetJets Announced As Worldwide Launch Customer

Bombardier Aerospace announced Monday that it has expanded its Challenger family of business jets with the addition of the new Challenger 350 aircraft. The Challenger 350 jet was launched with NetJets as the worldwide launch partner at a special event at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland.  Deliveries of the aircraft are expected to begin in 2014.

"The Challenger 350 jet will take our existing Challenger family to new heights," said Steve Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "This aircraft further enhances our leading business aircraft portfolio and will provide our customers with redefined design standards. Passengers will experience new comfort levels as they relax in the completely new cabin, enjoy a purpose-built and intuitive cabin management system and increase their efficiency with superior performance, and all at best-in-class operating costs. There is simply no substitute for a Challenger jet."

The Challenger 350 aircraft's cockpit will feature Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced. Features of the new avionics include, among others, synthetic vision, dual inertial reference systems, a completely paperless cockpit and Multiscan Weather Radar. The new avionics will provide pilots with increased situational awareness and reduced pilot workload.

“We are excited about the addition of our exclusive NetJets Signature Series Challenger 350 aircraft to our fleet and the tremendous value this aircraft will bring to our unmatched global capabilities and most importantly, to our customers,” said NetJets Chairman and CEO Jordan B. Hansell. “This distinct super midsize aircraft will deliver an experience that meets both our customers’ travel and comfort requirements. The inflight experience is exceptional and unlike any other. The aircraft has an exceptionally quiet cabin allowing both serenity and conversation, soft, hand crafted leathers, meticulously designed wood finishes, an in-flight entertainment system offering choices for every taste, and a single service beverage maker, all designed specifically by NetJets.”

Hansell added, “The high design was all in an effort to allow our customers to relax and enjoy their flight whether for work or family. This state-of-the art jet’s cabin, designed in partnership with Bombardier Aerospace, will provide our discerning customers the best flight experience, along with the safety and reliability they expect from the worldwide leader in private aviation.”

The NetJets Signature Series Challenger 350 aircraft will join the NetJets fleet in 2014 and is part of NetJets’ 10-year fleet plan to add up to 670 new products with a total value of $17.6 billion over the next decade.

“This aircraft further enhances our leading business aircraft portfolio and will provide our customers with redefined design standards. Passengers will experience new comfort levels as they relax in the completely new cabin, enjoy a purpose-built intuitive cabin management system and increase their efficiency with superb climb performance. There is simply no substitute for a Challenger jet.

On June 11, 2012, NetJets placed a firm order for 100 Challenger 350 and Challenger 605 business jets with options for an additional 175 Challenger 350 and Challenger 605 aircraft. The order is valued at approximately $7.3 billion US if all options are exercised. The firm order includes 75 Challenger 350 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2014 and 25 Challenger 605 aircraft,with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2015.

(Image provided by Bombardier. Top: Bombardier Business Aircraft President, Steve Ridolfi and NetJets Chairman and CEO, Jordan B. Hansell with the Challenger 350 aircraft mockup. Bottom: Challenger 350 artists' rendering.)

FMI: www.bombrdier.com. www.netjets.com