Flexjet (LXJ, Cleveland Cuyahoga Country) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bombardier Aerospace (BBA, Montréal Trudeau) for the purchase of twenty Challenger 350 business jets. The transaction, which is valued at approximately USD544 million based on current list prices, brings to forty the number of firm orders Flexjet has for the super-midsized aircraft.

“We are experiencing growing demand in the super midsize segment, where owners are seeking more spacious and luxurious cabins, coupled with greater speed and range,” Michael Silvestro, Flexjet’s Chief Executive Officer, said. “Our owners have already expressed their appreciation for the luxurious comfort and superior performance of the Challenger 350 aircraft, and we look forward to offering them more options for an outstanding experience.”

The Challenger 350 is the successor to Bombardier’s Challenger 300, which has served as the backbone of the Flexjet fleet since the company’s founding twenty years ago.

In a related development, the VIP charter specialist also placed a firm order with Aerion (Reno/Tahoe) for twenty AS2s. The Aerion AS2 business jet will have a top speed of Mach 1.5 carrying eight to twelve passengers up to 4,750 nautical miles. The three-engine jet, now under development by Aerion in collaboration with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac), is expected to make its first flight in 2021 and enter service in 2023.