Las Vegas-based private aviation charter operator Thrive Aviation has placed an order for three additional Cessna Citation Longitude business jets, set to deliver beginning December 2021. This order will boost Thrive's fleet of Textron aircraft to 15, comprised of Cessna Citation Longitude, Cessna Citation Sovereign+, Cessna Citation XLS+, Cessna Citation CJ3+ and Cessna Citation M2. The super-midsize Longitude is the flagship of the Cessna Citation family of business jets.

“Our guests love the Longitude; it's a great mix of luxury and performance that has garnered quite the following,” says Scott Musselwhite, senior VP of commercial at Thrive. “With the addition of three more Longitudes to our fleet, we're better equipped to serve our growing demand nationwide; an expanding footprint that is a testament to our momentum and our future.”

Textron senior VP of sales and flight operations Lannie O'Bannion adds: “It's rewarding to watch Thrive Aviation expand its capabilities within the Citation family; that's precisely what we strive to offer by creating the broadest product range in the industry. Our relationship with Thrive continues to grow. As it expands its operations, the Longitude will provide it with the lowest direct operating cost of any super-midsize jet.”

Thrive CEO Curtis Edenfield goes on: “The private aviation landscape has changed during the past 18 months; we're confident the expanded fleet of Citation Longitudes is exactly what our customers want and expect. The future is bright for Thrive Aviation, and we're so grateful for the relationship we have with the Textron Aviation team. They've been an integral part of our continued success up to this point.”

With a range of 3,500 nm and full fuel payload of 1,600 pounds, the Citation Longitude is designed to elevate passenger expectations in the super-midsize class by delivering the quietest cabin, a low cabin altitude (5,950 ft), more standard features and a comfortable, bespoke interior. With seating for up to 12 passengers, including an optional crew jump seat, the Longitude features a stand-up, six-foot tall flat-floor cabin. A standard double-club configuration delivers the most legroom in the super-midsize class. Fully berthable seats are designed and manufactured in-house, and a spacious walk-in baggage compartment is accessible throughout the entire flight. State-of-the-art cabin technology enables passengers to manage their environment and entertainment from any mobile device.

The clean-sheet design of the Longitude integrates the latest technology throughout the aircraft, bringing customers the lowest direct operating cost in its class. Powered by FADEC-equipped Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines featuring fully integrated autothrottles with envelope protection, the Longitude offers best in class maintenance intervals of 800 hours/18 months. It is supported with Textron Aviation's maintenance and advanced real-time diagnostic systems (AReS) with LinxUs software.

The spacious cockpit incorporates easier access and an ergonomic design that fully focuses on crew comfort and efficiency. No other super-midsize business jet offers more range, greater payload or higher cruise speed at a lower direct operating cost with the largest global network of service centres.