American Business Jets: An Important Tool For Doing Business

Cessna’s (Textron Aviation) Citation CJ2+ 

Story and photos by Don Linn

Business jets are an important tool for doing business in today’s increasingly competitive world for several reasons. Foremost, for many corporations and companies, especially those with multi-office locations, or for those organizations that must travel for customer meetings, business jets offer the flexibility and convenience of travel on short notice without the delays associated with commercial air travel, not to mention the luxury a business jet provides. Business jets can maximize the travel time for executives and senior management, as well as non-executive employees, and often become an office in the air for a final meeting agenda, or customer review.

A survey conducted by the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) revealed that 72% of passengers aboard business airplanes are non-executive employees. Companies often send teams of employees to a given destination because it is the most cost-effective means of transportation. NBAA also points out the safety factor, especially when traveling aboard, employees can meet and plan and work en route and discuss proprietary information in a secure environment. But for those who have the privilege of a business jet, it must be convenience and time saving that make business travel so appealing.

It would be impossible to pinpoint the first business aircraft and the year it went into service. A good guess would be somewhere between 1920 to 1940, more likely in the late 1930s. A Boeing 247, for example, developed as an early 10 passenger airliner in the 1930s, was operated by Standard Oil, based in Calgary, Alberta, as a corporate transport and operational support, carrying passengers and material to the company’s western Canadian oil fields. In 1947 Dee Howard, a former USAF mechanic during WW2, began converting military transports at his Howard Aero facility located at the then San Antonio Municipal Airport, most notably converting the WW 2 Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, and later the PV-2 Harpoon, to business aircraft. Lockheed model 10 Electra and Beech 18 (Twin Beech), also, WW 2 veterans are other key examples that appeared during the 1950s.

The business jet era began in 1957, according to Business Jet Traveler magazine, when Lockheed introduced the JetStar, Lockheed model L-329 and later L-1329 for Jetstar II. It was a four engined jet originally produced for the military as the VC-140, a VIP transport for senior military officers and ranking government personnel. Lockheed quickly recognized JetStar’s potential as a business aircraft. Already a military VIP transport, it featured a large cabin with head room to allow passengers to stand upright, and it could accommodate up to ten passengers, including a crew of two with one cabin attendant, and featured a full lavatory. All ideal features for a business jet. Continental Can Co became the launch customer when they took delivery in late 1961 of the first production JetStar, serial number 5002 and given registration N100L. The 1961 cost was approximately $2.8 million, adjusted for inflation the cost today would be $22 million. Added to the high purchase price was the operating and maintenance expense with a per hour cost of $500 to $600 in 1961 dollars.

Jetstar quickly became a success for both the military, the USAF ordered 16 VP-140A transports and six VIP transports designated VP-140B. Lockheed also produced 204 JetStars as business jets between 1960s and 1970s, several going to celebrities. Elvis Presley had two, named Hound Dog 1 and Hound Dog 2 and the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer also acquired two Jetstars. John Travolta, Bob Hope, Kenny Rogers and Wayne Newton all owned Jetstars. But the majority of Jetstars were operated by large companies for executive air travel.

VC-140B, 61-2493, 89th MAW,

A New Century and New Business Jets
Learjet
The 21st century finds a new crop of purpose-built business jets, instead of ex-military aircraft conversions. Often credited as the first mass-produced business jet, was the successful Lear 23. The Learjet Company offered newly found luxury and comfort, and faster travel times on its new Lear 23 business jet. Displaying a completely new design and aesthetically pleasing clean aerodynamic lines offered a welcome break from the traditional aircraft designs of the past and provided a forward look to the future. Lear continued to produce its Lear jet series for 60 years with more than 3,000 aircraft delivered. Bombardier acquired Learjet in 1999 for $75 million when Learjet was suffering financial difficulty with a $38 million debt burden. It filed for Chapter 11 protection in 1990 leading to its eventual sale to Bombardier, the Canadian aircraft giant Production continued for 30 years under the Bombardier banner. The Learjet 75 Liberty was the last model produced when Bombardier ceased Lear operations in 2021 to concentrate on the more profitable Challenger and Global business jet family. The last Learjet 75 Liberty was delivered to Northern Jet Management on March 28, 2022, ending 60 years of production. Today, more than 2,000 Learjets remain operational around the world.

Learjet 35A, N354EF, msn35-378, Executive Flight, PHL departure rwy 27L

Gulfstream
Grumman Aircraft, a company known for its rugged Navy fighter aircraft, earning the prestigious title “Grumman Iron Works”, began Gulfstream Aerospace in the 1950s concentrating on the growing business aircraft market. Bob Smyth, the highly regarded Grumman test pilot, was appointed as VP of operations for Grumman’s new venture. He was also involved in evaluating the new twin engine turboprop Gulfstream I, the first purpose-built business aircraft, and soon became a driving force in the further development of the iconic Gulfstream business jets when Gulfstream II, or GII, was introduced in 1968. It was the beginning of a family of business jets that has continued for more than 50 years and has become the most recognizable business jet around the world due, in part, to appearances on TV and in movies. The most recent model is the new ultralong-range next generation G800 introduced last year during August, it represents a next generation state-of-the-art business jet. On August 3, 1999, General Dynamic Corp purchased Gulfstream for about $4.8 billion in diversification from its successful military aircraft market, particularly the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Today, more than 3,300 Gulfstream aircraft are in service around the world.

A pair of Conoco Oil Gulfstream 1s (company designation G-159) loading company employees for a business trip. Gulfstream produced the first purposed business aircraft in 1958 capable of carrying 37 passengers. It was the first in a long line of the renowned Gulfstream family of business jets. Photo: San Deigo Air and Space Museum

Hondajet
New to the business jet market for the 21st Century is the fledgling Honda Aircraft Company. Well known for its ubiquitous cars, trucks and motorcycles, HondaJet was established in 2006 with a substantial $100 million investment in a new manufacturing facility conveniently located on the northeast corner of Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO), Greensboro, NC. Its first production aircraft, the HA-420 HondaJet Classic, is a beautiful 5-passenger light business jet that features a unique over wing engine mount design. It received FAA type certification in 2015 and delivered its first aircraft on December 23. Since that time, Honda has continued to rapidly expand their fleet based on the HA-420 airframe. The HondaJet APMG soon followed offering extended range to nearly 1,400 nm and reduced takeoff distance. The introduction of the HondaJet Elite in 2018 offered another increase in range with the addition of an extra fuel tank and avionics upgrades. The HondaJet Elite S began deliveries in July 2021. It offered additional performance upgrades, including interior cabin enhancements and cockpit updates. The HondaJet Elite II rolled out of Honda’ s Greensboro manufacturing facility on October 17, 2022, and received type certification on November 2 and delivered to the first customer on December 22, 2022. Elite II is based on the original HA-420 HondaJet Classic with significant upgrades and improvements. It carries up to 7-8 passengers, with extended range and a redesigned cabin. The selling price is approximately $7 million. The new 10 passenger, plus pilot, HondaJet Echelon is advertised as a next-generation “light jet” capable of non-stop flights across the United States, offering an impressive range of 2,625 nautical miles at a maximum cruising speed of 450 KTAS (Knots True Air Speed). First flight of the new jet is scheduled for this year with type certification expected during 2028.

HondaJet HA-420 Elite

Embraer
Embraer, who closed Learjet in 2021 to concentrate on larger aircraft, introduced the new Praetor 500 and 600 business jets in 2018, joining Embraer’s family of commercial and business aircraft. The company’s amazing rapid growth has placed it as a world leader behind aviation giants Boeing and Airbus. While its commercial airliner business is a key profit center, its business jet segment is a leader in its own right. In its twenty-five plus years since entering the business jet segment in 2002, according to company sales reports, Embraer has delivered more than 2,000 business jets as of May this year.

Embraer established its first North American manufacturing hub along Florida’s popular Space Coast in early 2016, adjacent to Melbourne International Airport, for its executive jet production, specifically for the Phenom 100 and 300, and more recently the Praetor 500 and 600 executive jets. It is the company’s first manufacturing facility outside of Brazil. The Praetor 500 is a mid-size business jet while the 600 is a super mid-sized jet, both introduced in 2018, they offer significant improvements of the company’s earlier Legacy 450 mid-size business jets. The popular Praetor series have a range of 3,340 nm for the 500 and 4,018 nm for the 600. Reported sales as of February 2026, list the Praetor 500 with 129 airframes produced, and 147 airframes for the Praetor 600. The new super mid-size Praetor 600 can accommodate 12 passengers with a crew of 2 and is powered by two Honeywell HTF7500E turbofans with a respectable 7,528 lb. of thrust.

Embraer developed the Phenom 100 as a very Light Business Jet (VLJ) in early 2005, with a business plan to become a major global provider in the lucrative business jet market within 10 years. A goal the company has succeeded in achieving. In a remarkable fast time, the Phenom 100, with its first order already in hand, made it first flight two years later, on July 26, 2007, from the company’s global headquarters at São José, Campos, Brazil facility. Production of the Phenom continuous at the new Melbourne, FL location with the new Phenom 100EX joining the Praetor 500E and 600E.

Bombardier (Canadair)
Bombardier is another legacy aviation leader celebrating over 80 years of successful growth and gaining a worldwide reputation as an industry leader. The Bombardier name can be found on a multitude of products from snowmobiles to trains, and specifically business jets. Bombardier purchased Canadair in 1986 and its Challenger business aircraft.
The Challenger is one of the premier widebody large business jets offered for executive travel, which lead to the company’s impressive line of Regional Jets (RJs) for commercial air travel. The Challenger has delivered over 1,000 jets to customers worldwide.

Challenger CL-600, N910J, Penn Entertainment (Casinos), departing PHL rwy 9R.

Bombardier BD-700-1A11, N468K

The Philadelphia Eagles Bombardier Global 5000 is seen departing Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) on December 23, 2019. The Bombardier Global 5000 is an ultra-long-range heavy jet designed for intercontinental travel. With a max speed Mach .89 and features a wide comfortable cabin nearly 8’ across with seating for 13 passengers. Photo: Don Linn

Cessna (Textron Aviation)
Saving the best for last is the legendary Cessna Aircraft Co. Founded in 1927 in Wichita, Kansas, by Clyde Cessna who created one of aviation’s most enduring general aviation designs in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk. Since the Skyhawk’s first flight in 1955, more than 44,000 have been built and it remains in production today, an extraordinary 71-year run. In 2014. Cessna was acquired by Textron as the company sought to diversify its aviation business. The acquisition brought Cessna together with Beech and Hawker, to form Textron’s Business Aviation Unit.

Cessna Citation X. N760XJ, XO Jet, Monday 23 Dec 19.

Climbing into the clouds is Cessna Citation from XO Jet, a private membership airline providing private jet travel around the world with a fleet of various aircraft types from turboprop to ultra-long ranger business jets, including the Cessna Citation. The Citation is ideal for this service, providing a spacious cabin, and the luxury of a private jet. Photo: Don Linn

Key to Cessna’s acquisition is its legacy Citation family of business jets. The newest is the Citation Ascend receiving type certification on November 5, 2025, and delivered to its first customer in December. According to a November 8, 2025, Cessna Press Release, the Ascend joins the more than 1,000 Citation 500XL series aircraft delivered since 2000.

Cessna 680 Sovereign, PHL 8 Sept 2025, departing PHL rwy 9L

The Cessna Citation Sovereign is another in the Citation family of business jets, it made its first public appearance at the 1998 NBAA Show and received type certification on June 2, 2002. The Sovereign is a midsize business jet capable of accommodating eight passengers on long transcontinental flights across the US, from NY to California. Photo: Don Linn

It can comfortably accommodate 12 passengers and has a range, with 4 passengers, of nearly 2,000 nm with a max cruise speed of 441 knots. The Ascend joins with the Citation Latitude in the midsize jet series and is part of the Citation family in continuous production since 1972. As of May 2026, 8,200 Citation business jets have been produced and delivered worldwide. Also, part of the Citation family is the Citation M2, CJ3+, CJ4 Latitude and Longitude.

This gallery contains photos of numerous business jets registered in the U. S.