Flexjet Becomes First Fleet Customer Of The Aerion AS2 Supersonic Business Jet

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Flexjet Becomes First Fleet Customer Of The Aerion AS2 Supersonic Business Jet

November 17, 2015 - Aerion Corp has announced that Flexjet will be inaugural fleet purchaser of the Supersonic Business Jet, AS2.

Aerion has reported Flexjet has placed a firm order for 20 of Aerion’s AS2 aircraft, which will be the first commercially available supersonic business jet since the retirement of the Aérospatiale/British Aerospace Concorde and Tupolev Tu-144 'Charger'.

The Aerion AS2 business jet has a top speed of Mach 1.5, which is 67 percent faster than the top cruise speeds of current or anticipated long-range subsonic jets. The supersonic business jet will be able to carrying between eight to 12 passengers.

The AS2 has an intercontinental-capable range of 4,750 nautical miles at supersonic speed, saving three hours across the Atlantic versus subsonic aircraft and more than six hours on longer trans-Pacific routes.

The three-engine jet, now under development by Aerion in collaboration with Airbus Group, will make its first flight in 2021 and enter service in 2023. Flexjet Chairman Kenn Ricci said, Today, we are proud to be at the forefront of the next revolution in business jets, supersonic travel. We are pleased to be the first fleet purchaser of the Aerion AS2 and to be able to offer supersonic, intercontinental flight capabilities".

“We have examined Aerion’s technology and the AS2’s remarkable performance capabilities, and see them as potential game-changers for business travel. Aerion and Airbus Group are moving forward impressively with the AS2’s development,” added Ricci.

Aerion and Flexjet will work together to design stunning and unique interiors for the AS2, continuing the tradition of premium interiors such as those in Flexjet’s recently launched Red Label fleet. Flexjet anticipates that many customers will, through its innovative Global Access program, use the AS2 in combination with other large-cabin Flexjet aircraft, taking advantage of the AS2’s speed to meet especially demanding travel schedules, such as intercontinental round trips in a single day.

Aerion Corporation is based in Reno, Nevada, was formed in 2002 to introduce a new era of practical and efficient supersonic flight. Over more than a decade, Aerion has demonstrated advanced wing technology in conjunction with NASA and other leading aeronautical institutions. This research includes breakthrough work in the area of supersonic natural laminar flow, the key enabling technology behind the company’s AS2 business jet. In 2014, Aerion entered into collaboration with Airbus Group to develop the Aerion AS2 Mach 1.5 supersonic jet. Engineering is underway with first flight planned for 2021 and entry into service in 2023.