US fractional ownership company NetJets has taken delivery of its first Cessna Citation Longitude business jet from an October 2018 order for up to 175 of the super-midsize type. Service entry is expected early in the first quarter.
The 31 December handover came some three months after the Textron Aviation flagship entered service with an undisclosed owner, following a three-year flight-test campaign.
Textron Aviation describes the Longitude delivery to NetJets as a “significant milestone” for both companies, which “strengthens a relationship that goes back decades”.
The airframer has been a long-standing supplier of aircraft to NetJets since the fractional ownership provider’s launch in 1984; it has acquired more than 500 Citation-series jets over that time.
The Columbus, Ohio-headquartered venture – a subsidiary of investment company Berkshire Hathaway – is also the largest operator of the Latitude business jet, with over 100 of the midsize type in service across its programmes in the USA and Europe.
Powered by two 7,660lb (34.1kN)-thrust Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines, the Garmin G5000-equipped Longitude has a maximum cruise speed of 480kt (890km/h), a range of 3,500nm (6,480km), a fuel payload of 726kg (1,600lb) and a cabin altitude of 5,950ft.
NetJets’ bespoke interior features a double club configuration of eight fully berthable seats, delivering the most legroom in the super-midsize class, Textron Aviation claims.
Cabin technology also allows passengers to manage their environment and entertainment from mobile devices and includes in-flight wi-fi.
“No matter the reason for being on board, from take-off to landing, the innovations of the Citation Longitude make it the most enjoyable flight imaginable,” says NetJets chief executive Adam Johnson.
