VistaJet's last remaining Learjet has departed Northolt airport in the UK for North America, and its fleet now solely comprises Challengers and Globals.

Since 2004, a total of 20 Learjets have sported the metallic grey and single red stripe VistaJet livery. Collectively, they have travelled around the world a total of 500 times as a result of 18,262 flights and 42,962 hours clocked. Pilots and cabin crew have welcomed 28,685 passengers aboard, and after 11 years the last remaining VistaJet Learjet aircraft received its farewell visit from founder and chairman Thomas Flohr.

A Learjet 60 was Flohr's first aircraft, purchased for personal use in December 2003. Since then this model has served as a staple in a growing fleet of over 45 Bombardier business aircraft. “Today is a very emotional day. The Learjet 60 was the catalyst for the company we know as VistaJet today,” says Flohr. “Learjet aircraft are fast and agile, pilots love to fly them and the cabin volume is generous, so passengers are always comfortable.”

The rise in demand for long-range flight, and premium large cabin aircraft prompted VistaJet to realign its business strategy and in June 2013 the company announced its intention to offer an all Challenger and Global fleet when it placed an order with Bombardier for 20 Challenger 350s.

“We saw an opportunity to expand VistaJet while further differentiating ourselves from our competitors and made the strategic decision to focus our business on long range point-to-point flights. It all began when we launched Think Global in 2012. We are now entering the next phase of this strategy with our all Global and Challenger fleet,” Flohr concludes.