Air Charter Operator’s Fleet Increases to 15 Citations

Textron Aviation, owner of the umbrella under which Cessna operates, reported their newest sale to charter operator Thrive Aviation for 3 more Cessna Citation Longitude business jets, set for delivery beginning in December 2021. Once the order is complete, their fleet will have 15 assorted Citations, including the Citation Longitude, Sovereign+, XLS+, CJ3+, and M2.  

Thrive Aviation, a Las Vegas-based private charter service, with membership offerings for use of its aircraft and crews. Recent expansions have continued to bring additional hangar space, operational footprint, and aircraft into service. In the last 18 months alone, they have more than doubled their fleet.  

“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,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Global Sales and Flight Operations, for Textron. “Our relationship with Thrive continues to grow. As they expand their operations, the Longitude will provide them with the lowest direct operating cost of any super-midsize jet.”

The Citation Longitude is the current flagship of the Citation family, offering a range of 3,500 nautical miles and a full-fuel payload of 1,600 pounds.  Designed to provide a competitive cabin experience for the elite clientele aboard, it offers a quiet, low cabin altitude, a bespoke interior design, and a comfortable 6-foot tall cabin. Charter customers especially appreciate the ease of use with the walk-in baggage compartment’s accessibility in flight, and integration with their personal devices for cabin control and entertainment.  

“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,” said Thrive Aviation CEO Curtis Edenfield. “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.” 

FMI: www.flythrive.com