Boeing Business Jets launches New Family Member

Boeing Business Jets celebrated its 10-year anniversary on Monday by launching the newest member of its business jet family - the BBJ 3. The airplane, which is based on the new Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) has won two orders from undisclosed customers.

The new BBJ 3 is the largest BBJ family member and offers 1,120 square feet (104 square meters) of cabin space, 35% more than the BBJ and 11% more than the BBJ 2. With up to eight auxiliary fuel tanks, the BBJ 3 has a maximum range of 5,475 nautical miles (10,140 km).

In addition to the two BBJ 3 orders, Boeing Business Jets has secured 10 new orders for BBJs in the last 11 months, bringing total program sales to 114 airplanes.

"This has been a remarkable year for the BBJ," Boeing Business Jets President Steven Hill said during a media briefing at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention and Exhibition in Orlando. "Since last year's NBAA, we have won 12 new orders. The continued success of the BBJ is validation of the airplane's value to its owners. And I can't think of a better way to celebrate 10 years of success in the VIP market than with a new family member."

Private individuals comprise 43% of the BBJ customer base. About 35% are government heads of state, 12% are corporate operators and the remaining 10% are charter operators.

The BBJ 3 joins an airplane family that includes the BBJ, which is a high-performance derivative of the 737-700, and the BBJ 2, which is based on the 737-800. The BBJ was launched July 2, 1996, and was followed by the BBJ 2 on Oct. 11, 1999.

There are currently 88 BBJs in service around the world. The fleet has generated more than 215,000 cumulative flight hours and 84,000 flights while maintaining a 99.9% dispatch reliability rate.

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