Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

NetJets announced yesterday that it placed the largest general aviation aircraft order in history–for up to 425 Bombardier and Cessna jets worth as much as $9.6 billion. The deal includes a firm order for 75 Bombardier “Challenger 300 series” twinjets, and options on 125 more, with deliveries beginning in 2014; a firm order for 25 “Challenger 605 series” jets, and options on 50 more, with deliveries beginning in 2015; and a firm order for 25 Cessna Citation Latitudes, and options on another 125, with deliveries starting in 2016.


NetJets chairman and CEO Jordan Hansell clarified that the Challenger 300-series aircraft will be a derivative “specific to NetJets.” All three aircraft types will be configured as NetJets’ new Signature Series, which “are the first aircraft that NetJets helped design from start to finish,” according to the company, and include “advanced in-flight entertainment systems, quiet cabins and customized seating, lighting and storage features.” According to Hansell, the new jets will serve customers in the U.S. and Europe.


Hansell told AIN that the order “nearly completes” the company’s fleet plans, but when asked if there might be future orders announced in the next year or two, he added, “It’s very possible.”

Bombardier, Cessna Win $9.6B Bizjet Order from NetJets

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