LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwired - Mar 17, 2015) - VistaJet recently celebrated a special milestone as the last remaining Learjet1 aircraft in its fleet took off at Northolt airfield for its new home in North America. The company's fleet now exclusively comprises large-cabin Challenger1 and ultra long-range Global1 jets.
Since 2004, a total of 20 Learjet aircraft sported the silver metallic grey and single red stripe VistaJet livery. Collectively, they travelled around the world a total of 500 times -- a result of 18,262 flights and 42,962 hours clocked. Pilots and cabin crew welcomed 28,685 passengers aboard, and after 11 years the last remaining VistaJet Learjet aircraft received a bon voyage visit from Founder and Chairman, Thomas Flohr.
Excitement for the future and fond recollections of how it all began highlighted the event. The Learjet 60 was Mr Flohr's first aircraft, purchased for personal use in December 2003. Since then this model served as a staple in a growing fleet of over 45 Bombardier business aircraft. "Today is a very emotional day. The Learjet 60 was my first aircraft and the catalyst for the company we know as VistaJet today," said Mr Flohr. "Learjet aircraft are fast and agile, pilots love to fly them and the cabin volume is generous, so passengers are always comfortable."
The rise in demand for long-range flights, and premium large cabin aircraft prompted VistaJet to realign its business strategy to best meet passenger needs and in June 2013 the company announced its intention to offer an all Challenger and Global fleet when it placed an order with Bombardier for 20 Challenger 350 aircraft.
"We saw an opportunity to expand VistaJet while further differentiating ourselves from our competitors and made the strategic decision to focus our business on long-range point-to-point flights. It all began when we launched Think Global in 2012. We are now entering the next phase of this strategy with our all Global and Challenger fleet," said Mr Flohr.
About VistaJet
VistaJet owns and operates the largest privately owned Bombardier business aircraft fleet -- over 45 aircraft -- all large cabin, long-range Global and Challenger jets. Renowned for its consistency around the globe and as the only provider to offer an identical exterior livery and cabin design throughout its fleet, VistaJet's global strategy of connecting its customers to every corner of the world with point-to-point coverage has made it the clear market leader with unparalleled experience flying in to, and out of, the hardest-to-reach destinations. News and information are available at www.vistajet.com.