Initial Airplane Delivered Just Weeks After Being Ordered

Embraer has delivered the first of a $1.4 billion multiple-airplane order for its new Praetor 500 to Flexjet. The order for the Praetor 500 and 600 aircraft and Phenom 300 light jets was announced in October. Flexjet is the fleet launch customer for the Praetor 500, expanding its fleet of superior midsized aircraft.

“We have long been partners with Embraer, helping to launch aircraft such as the Legacy Executive, the Phenom 300 and the Legacy 450. Now we take the next step in that relationship, making the Praetor 500 — the most technologically advanced aircraft in its category —available to Flexjet Owners first,” said Flexjet Chief Executive Officer Michael Silvestro. “Just weeks from announcing our order, the Praetor 500 is here to offer unparalleled speed, range and performance for its category to Flexjet Owners.”

The Praetor 500 is the next generation of the Embraer Legacy 450, which Flexjet introduced to the market in 2016 and which became a popular component of the premium Red Label by Flexjet offering. In competing head-to-head with the Citation Latitude, the Legacy 450 stands out with 7.5 percent more cabin volume and an additional 23 cubic feet of baggage space, to name just a few of the superior features. The Praetor 500 outperforms both of them with its larger cabin seats, increased fuel efficiency and range.

Because of similarities in their platforms, Embraer is able to convert a Legacy 450 into a Praetor 500. Consistent with its commitment to having the market’s youngest and most modern fleet, Flexjet – in addition to purchasing new Praetor 500 aircraft – will upgrade all of its Legacy 450s to Praetor 500s, enhancing their capabilities and continuing to offer Owners the most outstanding aircraft available in the midsized category.

“As the Praetor Fleet Launch Customer, Flexjet, once again, will lead the fractional ownership market with the introduction of this modern midsize aircraft,” said Michael Amalfitano, pPresident & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “It is with much gratitude and pride that we deliver our first Praetor 500 to Flexjet, confident that Flexjet Owners will enjoy the ultimate customer experience in aviation.”

The Praetor upgrades the Legacy 450 to more of a transcontinental aircraft – with 7 hours of endurance. The Praetor’s range of 3,340 nautical miles is powered by advanced, quiet, fuel-efficient Honeywell engines, the greenest in their class. The distance capabilities are possible because of the jet’s increased fuel capacity and much larger, aerodynamically efficient winglets.

This aircraft offers unparalleled comfort and luxury in its category, with the lowest cabin altitude, which remains practically at sea level through 27,140 feet and gradually rises thereafter to a maximum of only 5,800 feet when at 45,000 ft. The cabin’s low altitude is complemented by whisper-silent acoustic comfort, further enhanced by the smoothest flight possible with the class-exclusive full fly-by-wire technology that dynamically reduces turbulence. The 6-foot stand-up cabins have flat floors and granite flooring in the lavatory.

The Praetor 500s also have advanced technology, including an industry-exclusive Upper Tech Panel that displays flight information and offers cabin management features also available on personal devices through Honeywell Ovation Select.

The orders for the Praetor 500 and 600 and Phenom 300 were announced on October 21, 2019 at the 2019 National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.

(Image provided with Flexjet news release)

FMI: www.flexjet.com