Flexjet places firm order for 300 Otto Aerospace aircraft
Flexjet has placed a firm order for for 300 Phantom 3500 business jets with additional options from Otto Aerospace.
The order marks Otto’s first fleet customer for its Phantom 3500 aircraft —a clean-sheet that leverages laminar-flow aerodynamics and carbon fibre composites to cut fuel burn by over 60%.
With an estimated price of approximately $19.5m, the Phantom 3500 is slated to take flight in 2027, with FAA Part 25 certification and entry into service targeted for 2030. The agreement is one of the largest ever aircraft orders to an OEM in business aviation.
“For 30 years, Flexjet has led through innovation opposed to imitation, introducing tomorrow’s standards, not reacting to yesterday’s expectations,” said Flexjet chairman Kenn Ricci. “The Phantom 3500 exemplifies that approach perfectly, marking a bold step into a future where an aircraft’s efficiency and sustainability stand alongside speed, comfort and range as defining standards.”
The Phantom will debut the world’s first ultra-wide (72-inches) passenger windows, thanks to proprietary SuperNatural Vision (SNV) technology. SNV reveals a glare-free, colour-enhanced, panoramic view of the curvature of Earth from its cruise altitude of 51,000ft.
The aircraft will be built at Otto’s planned 1,000,000 sqft campus on 250 acres at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, Florida, supported by a $515m incentive package from the State of Florida.
Paul Touw, CEO of Otto Aerospace, said: “Flexjet’s decision to build their fleet around the Phantom 3500 speaks volumes about where aviation is headed. As one of the largest business jet orders in private aviation history, this marks a turning point in the industry’s move toward sustainable and efficient air travel. The Phantom 3500 will redefine private aviation, providing Flexjet with a fleet that dramatically reduces costs while expanding operational capabilities and enhancing the customer flying experience.”
Beyond the 300 aircraft order, the agreement also grants Flexjet’s in-house maintenance organisation the ability to become an Otto authorised service centre.
The deal is another highlight in an active 2025 for Flexjet. In February, the firm announced an order with Embraer for 182 aircraft, including the Praetor 600, Praetor 500 and Phenom 300. Last month, it added the Gulfstream G700 to its fleet. Whilst, in July, Flexjet announced an $800m equity investment from a consortium led by L Catterton, an affiliate of LVMH.
Meanwhile, the new Phantom 3500 business jet features in the next edition of our sister magazine Corporate Jet Investor H2 to be published at N-BACE next month. Sign up for your free copy here.
