Boeing Business Jets (Static AD1) returns to EBACE on the heels of its 25th anniversary, a year marked by the return to service of Boeing’s Max and service entry of the first BBJ variant, the Max 8. To date, more than 260 BBJs have been purchased worldwide, according to the company.

Last May, Jet Aviation announced the redelivery from its Basel, Switzerland completion center of the first BBJ Max, the cabin designed by the Swiss MRO’s in-house studio in collaboration with the undisclosed owner’s designer.

Compared with its predecessor 737-800, the Max 8 features aerodynamic improvements including advanced winglets and new CFM LEAP-1B engines, together delivering a 13 percent reduction in fuel consumption. Combined, these upgrades cut both operating costs and environmental impact while increasing the Max 8’s range to 6,325 nm, a boost of some 600 nm. According to Boeing Business Jets, BBJ Max 7 and, later, BBJ Max 9 variants will also be offered.

At NBAA-BACE in October, the company showcased for invited visitors its BBJ demonstrator on static display at Las Vegas Henderson Executive Airport. The cabin of the 737-800 airframe was created to showcase interior possibilities. The 13-pax interior, designed by Germany’s Unique Design and completed by Switzerland’s AMAC Aerospace, features a separate dining room and lounge area, master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and shower, and private office with berthable divan.

Boeing Business Jets has also seen growing demand for the executive version of the composite 787 Dreamliner, which offers larger windows, lower cabin altitude, smooth ride technology, cleaner and higher humidity air, and a quieter cabin, according to the company. Additionally, the widebody airframe boasts a 2,775-sq-ft cabin while its 9,485-nm range can link London to Sydney or Tokyo to Cape Town nonstop. At least 16 BBJ787s have been ordered to date.

Jet Aviation redelivered its first BBJ787 completion last year, and the cabin, designed by an outside firm, features several new design elements and “an exceptionally low cabin noise level," according to the completions firm.

Looking ahead, Boeing Business Jets sees demand growing for its flagship-in-waiting, the BBJ 777X. That will be available in -8 and -9 airframes, with the first one for the VIP market expected to be available in about two years. The 777X can “fly anywhere on the planet and connect any two city pairs nonstop with adequate fuel reserves and no issues whatsoever,” said Boeing Business Jets president James “J.D.” Detwiler.

Inside, the main deck of the BBJ777X-9, the first variant to come to market, will offer 3,689 sq ft of cabin space, enough to accommodate many interior options for different bedrooms, recreational areas, and a large dining room for corporate customers, while heads of state will have ample space for a large staff and communications and security teams.

Supplemental humidification, an advanced three-stage air filtration system, and a quieter and lower-altitude cabin are additional enhancements. Meanwhile, the dual-axis stability system, developed for the 787, delivers a smoother ride.

The fourth-generation composite wing for the 777X-9 features folding wingtips. In lieu of winglets, Boeing increased the wingspan to 235 feet—22 feet longer than the current wing—improving takeoff performance, reducing thrust requirements, and increasing initial cruise altitudes. The folding wingtips will ensure the jets can access any airport 777s currently use without any need to alter airport parking, gate, or other ground facilities. 

The purpose-built General Electric GE9X engines offer a 5 percent lower specific fuel consumption than competing engines. In addition, emissions are 29 percent below CAEP/8 requirements and noise levels are 15 dB below Stage 4 standards.

Boeing Business Jets expects to see orders build as “the 777X flight-test program matures and it gets a little further along in the certification process,” said Detwiler.

“With the resurgence of interest in both the Max and the 777X, we're getting into a situation where we have a limited amount of delivery positions and a lot more customer interest,” Detwiler continued. “We're trying to align that and make sure everyone can be served.”