Textron Aviation and NetJets have signed an agreement giving NetJets the option to purchase up to 1,500 additional Cessna Citation business jets over the next 15 years. The deal covers the upcoming Cessna Citation Ascend and the Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude aircraft and is valued at about $30bn.
NetJets currently operates hundreds of mid-size Latitudes and super-mid Longtitudes, with the Latitude being the largest single model in the NetJets fleet.
Long Relationship
The two companies have worked together for 40-years. During this time NetJets has taken delivery of more than 800 aircraft from Textron Aviation, including exercising over 300 options for Citation Latitudes and Longitudes during the past eight years. Through the years, NetJets has owned and operated multiple Citation models including the Citation SII, V, Excel/XLS, Sovereign, X, Latitude and Longitude models.
“NetJets customers around the world continually select Citations as their aircraft of choice. We’re honored to be the largest provider of industry-leading aircraft to NetJets and look forward to continuing to work together to design and deliver the best aviation experience based on customer feedback,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron Aviation. “Expanding and adding the Citation Ascend to the NetJets fleet will provide its global customers with even more versatility and flexibility to accomplish their missions, building upon the exceptional performance and popularity of the Latitude and Longitude.”
Citation Ascend
NetJets has been named the fleet launch customer for Textron Aviation’s newest jet — the Citation Ascend. Deliveries of the Citation Ascend are expected to begin in 2025 when the aircraft, currently under development, is expected to enter into service.
Preliminary performance targets indicate a four-passenger range of 1,900 nm at high-speed cruise power (with an estimated maximum range of 2,100 nm), cruise at 441 kts and the ability to climb direct to 45,000 ft. The anticipated Ascend design for NetJets will feature a standard seating configuration for seven passengers, a full refreshment center, a flat floor and a spacious baggage compartment.
“As a long-time, trusted ally who shares our commitment to safety and service, Textron Aviation is the ideal partner to help us expand our offerings to NetJets Owners with the introduction of the new Ascend to our midsize jet class, as well as by growing our overall fleet,” said Doug Henneberry, NetJets Executive Vice President, Aircraft Asset Management.
Citation Latitude
NetJets first ordered the Citation Latitude midsize business jet in 2012 and took its first deliveries in 2015. It’s now a mainstay of the NetJets fleet. The Latitude, has a four-passenger range of 2,700 nautical miles (5,000 km) at high-speed cruise.
NetJets’ Latitude features a standard seating configuration for seven passengers, six feet of cabin height, a spacious lavatory, ample storage and baggage compartment. The wireless cabin management system provides productive connectivity and entertainment to each passenger through their personal electronic devices.
Citation Longitude
NetJets placed its first orders for the super-midsize Longitude in 2018 and over recent years has added dozens of the 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 kilometers) range aircraft.
The NetJets’ Longitude features a standard double-club configuration of eight fully berthable seats, delivering the most legroom in the super-midsize class. A stand-up, 6-foot (1.83 meters) tall flat-floor cabin, and an available streamlined divan enable easy transit along the cabin passageway. The walk-in baggage compartment provides 112 cu.ft of storage accessible throughout the entire flight.
In a further sign of the robust fractional jet market, earlier this year NetJets also signed a deal with aircraft manufacturer Embraer, for up to 250 midsize Praetor 500 jets. Deliveries under that $5 billion agreement are expected to begin in 2025, and will be NetJets' first time offering the 3,340 nm (6,186 km) range Praetor 500 to customers.