NetJets could increase its Cessna Citation fleet to exceed 800 aircraft over the next 10-15 years, having signed options to buy up to 175 Cessna Citation Longitude aircraft and up to 150 Cessna Citation Hemisphere aircraft from Textron Aviation. The move would make NetJets the launch customer for the Hemisphere, a clean-sheet large-cabin aircraft. The two companies are designing a special version of the aircraft for NetJets owners.
“We are proud to expand our relationship with NetJets once again through this significant milestone for the Citation Longitude and Citation Hemisphere,” said Scott Donnelly, chairman, president and CEO of Textron. “The Longitude fleet will build on the success NetJets has enjoyed with the Citation Latitude midsize jet. Through its class-leading performance, operating efficiency and the quietest cabin experience in its category, the Citation Longitude redefines the super-midsize segment. The Citation Hemisphere will follow with its revolutionary approach to performance and the large cabin experience.”
“As the worldwide leader in private aviation, we seek out products that raise the bar and deliver an exceptional travel experience to our owners and their passengers,” said Adam Johnson, chairman and CEO at NetJets. “As we anticipate placing these orders, we look back to the first order we placed for the Citation Latitude back in 2015. We have just placed an order for our 100th Latitude and, just as we did then, NetJets takes entering into this fleet agreement seriously, and we look forward to the day we can say we took delivery of our 175th Citation Longitude. We see the same revolutionary attributes of the Citation Latitude and Longitude in the Citation Hemisphere and are delighted to become its launch customer. The Hemisphere delivers long overdue innovation to the US$30-40m large-cabin aircraft category. We look forward to working with Textron Aviation to lead the industry and launch an aircraft that marks yet another new chapter in NetJets – and aviation – history.”
The relationship between Textron Aviation and NetJets has endured more than three decades. Beginning with the Citation SII, NetJets has owned and operated nearly 500 Citation aircraft, including the Citation Latitude, Sovereign, Excel/XLS and X.
NetJets has the option to take first deliveries of the Citation Longitude in the second half of 2019, with additional options on Longitude aircraft exercised over the following 10-15 years.
Textron Aviation and NetJets are working with Safran to achieve performance characteristics that enable Hemisphere to reach far-off destinations with greater speed and reliability.
To date, NetJets operates a fleet of 75 Citation Latitudes and expects to have 100 in service by mid-2019. Owner demand has ranked the Latitude as the best-selling aircraft in the NetJets portfolio. Rounding out the current NetJets inventory of nearly 500 Cessna aircraft are the Citation Excel/XLS, Citation Sovereign and Citation X.
With a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,482km) and full fuel payload of 1,600 lb (726kg), Textron Aviation designed the Citation Longitude to elevate passenger expectations in the super-midsize class by delivering a quiet cabin, a low cabin altitude (5,950ft/1,814m), more standard features and a bespoke interior. With seating for up to 12 passengers – including an optional crew jump seat – the Longitude features a standard double-club configuration of fully berthable seats. A stand-up, 6ft tall (2m) flat-floor cabin and a streamlined divan are designed to enable safe and easy transit along the cabin passageway, while a walk-in baggage compartment is accessible throughout the flight. Passengers can manage their environment and entertainment from any mobile device, and enjoy high-speed internet.
Textron Aviation also designed the Citation Longitude to feature the longest maintenance intervals in its class – 800 hours or 18 months.
