Mystery customer soon to be announced for supersonic business jet - Curt Lewis

Supersonic Business Jet Maker Aerion To Announce First Fleet Customer

In case you weren't planning to purchase your own supersonic private jet, how were you going to fly it unless you had a friend with one?

Later today, at high noon in Las Vegas during the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) annual conference, Aerion Chairman Robert Bass will solve that problem when he discloses the manufacturer's "first major order from a fleet operator" of its AS2 supersonic business jet. According to an invite for the press conference that went out just after midnight EST, "Aerion will be first to market with a supersonic business jet. And now one major fleet operator will be the first to offer its customers supersonic capability."

Who is the undisclosed company?

Large private jet fleet operators include Warren Buffett-owned NetJets, Directional Aviation Capital (owner of FlexJet, Sentient Jet and Flight Options), XOJet, TMC Jets and VistaJet, which of the group would be the most likely candidate, based on its focus of long-haul and ultra-long haul flying. Its fleet includes both Bombardier Challenger and Global jets, and the company has recently been busy expanding its footprint in the United States, the world's large market for private jet travel after having established a strong position in Europe. At the same time, NetJets, the world's largest fleet operator has been expanding China, already has a presence in Europe and recently came to an agreement for labor peace with its pilots after a long simmering dispute. Warren Buffett in the past has used the NBAA conference to announce major orders of private jets. Another potential fleet operator is DeerJet, which is a significant player in Asia market, focused on China.

The press invitation promises attendees an "AS2 in customer livery. Champagne will be served"