Flexjet has taken delivery of an Embraer Praetor 500 business jet, marking the first delivery from the fractional operator’s $1.4 billion order for a mix of Praetor 500/600s and Phenom 300Es announced at NBAA-BACE 2019 in October. “We have long been partners with Embraer, helping to launch aircraft such as the Legacy Executive, the Phenom 300 and the Legacy 450,” Flexjet CEO Michael Silvestro said. “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.”

The next generation of the Embraer Legacy 450, the Praetor 500 has larger cabin seats, better fuel efficiency, and a range of 3,340 nm. In addition to purchasing new Praetor 500s, Flexjet also will convert its Legacy 450 fleet into Praetor 500s under an FAA-approved modification.

Flexjet introduced the Legacy 450 to its shareowners in 2016, and the midsize twin became a popular component of its Red Label by Flexjet service, the Cleveland, Ohio-based company said.

“As the Praetor fleet launch customer, Flexjet, once again, will lead the fractional ownership market with the introduction of this modern midsize aircraft,” Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Michael Amalfitano said.