Before using drones, traffic updates in New York City were reported by a guy in a helicopter. It was an enviable job if you could ignore the noise pollution imposed on those below.
On a sunny Tuesday in February, I got to see just how quickly a Sikorsky S-76 super-midsize helicopter can traverse the width of Manhattan and scope out whether the city’s new congestion pricing seems to be working (it does).
This daydream was part of the seven-minute flight from the East 34th St. Heliport to Flexjet’s airport in Teterboro, NJ, and is one of the offerings the private aviation company hopes will set it apart. Flexjet offers helicopter services designed to provide connections between private jets and final destinations.
Although the helicopter ride is a nice perk for Flexjet fractional owners, it’s not what’s stealing headlines. The company has inked a deal with their long-standing manufacturer, Embraer, worth up to $7 billion. This is the largest firm order for both companies and will effectively double Flexjet’s fleet size. The agreement secures the Phenom 300E (the new and improved version of the Phenom 300) and Praetor 500/600 jets—along with Flexjet’s commitment to Embraer.
This move puts Flexjet squarely in competition with industry heavyweights like NetJets and VistaJet, both of which have been on buying sprees over the last five years. NetJets signed a $5 billion deal with Embraer in 2023 and a separate $6 billion order with Bombardier in 2024. VistaJet, meanwhile, has opted for acquisitions over single-vendor purchases, absorbing Air Hamburg and Jet Edge in 2022 to expand its fleet.
Flexjet’s order stands out for its focus on midsize and super-midsize jets, a category increasingly in demand. The Phenom 300 has been the best-selling light jet for 12 consecutive years, and is prized for its speed (0.8 mach), 2,010-nautical-mile range, and advanced avionics—features that make it a go-to for business and private aviation.
The Praetor 500 and 600 prefer to balance range and efficiency, appealing to high-net-worth travelers who don’t need an ultra-long-haul aircraft.
While Embraer boasts impressive ESG commitments through 2050, sustainability remains the elephant in the hangar. Embraer has tested 100% SAF in these models, but they’re only certified to fly with a 50% blend. This is the current industry standard, and with private aviation expanding and no immediate regulatory pressure from the new administration, will the industry’s green ambitions keep up—or take a backseat to ever-expanding growth?