Hat Trick Complete

AB Jets has taken delivery of its third new Bombardier Challenger 3500

AB Jets has taken delivery of its third new Bombardier Challenger 3500, completing the three-aircraft order the company announced as its “Hat Trick” at NBAA-BACE in 2023.

The delivery marks the completion of a three-year plan to expand AB Jets’ capabilities while maintaining the standards that have guided the company throughout 27 years of continuous operation.

“When we announced the Hat Trick, we knew exactly what we wanted these aircraft to represent for AB Jets: the next generation of our fleet without compromising the way we operate,” said Andrew Bettis, Founder and President of AB Jets. “Now all three are here. That’s a milestone worth celebrating, but what matters most is what comes next: preparing another exceptional aircraft for charter and putting it to work for our clients.”

Preparing the Third Challenger 3500 for Charter

Before entering service, the newest Challenger 3500 will undergo the same deliberate post-delivery preparation as the first two aircraft in the program.

The aircraft will be equipped with Starlink high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi, which AB Jets provides complimentary aboard its Challenger 3500 fleet. The system gives passengers the connectivity needed for video calls, streaming, work and other bandwidth-intensive activities while in flight.

The aircraft’s thrust reversers and inlets have also been sent to Quiet Technology Aerospace (QTA) for specialized modifications. The upgrades include QTA’s titanium thrust reverser solution, designed to address corrosion concerns associated with traditional components, as well as carbon-fiber inlet modifications that provide additional durability and noise-reduction benefits.

For AB Jets, these modifications reflect a larger philosophy: address known issues before they have the opportunity to become operational problems. It is a preventive approach to aircraft ownership and maintenance—and one that reflects the spirit behind the company’s call sign, Fortitude.

“We know these airplanes are going to work hard, so our responsibility is to prepare them for that from day one,” said David Turner, co-owner and Director of Operations. “Starlink improves the passenger experience, while the QTA modifications are investments in reliability, longevity and reducing avoidable downtime. We want a no-excuses airplane, and we make the investments necessary to create one.”

Expanding AB Jets’ Super-Midsize Fleet

The third Challenger 3500 joins two sister aircraft already operating in the AB Jets charter fleet, significantly expanding the company’s super-midsize capabilities while complementing its established Learjet 60 fleet.

With a range of approximately 3,400 nautical miles and seating for up to nine passengers, the Challenger 3500 gives AB Jets greater flexibility for longer missions. Its cabin combines a reduced cabin altitude, quiet acoustics, fully reclining seating and advanced cabin technology designed to make longer flights more comfortable and productive.

The addition of all three aircraft also represents an important step in the continued evolution of AB Jets’ floating fleet, allowing the company to offer clients more range and capability while maintaining direct control over the aircraft it operates.

From One Aircraft to Three New Challenger 3500 jets

The completion of the Hat Trick comes as ARGUS Platinum-rated AB Jets marks 27 years of continuous operation.

Founded in 1999, the company has grown from a single aircraft into an established charter operator with a company-owned fleet and an expanding presence in the super-midsize market.

“The Hat Trick started as a bold commitment to where we believed AB Jets was going,” Bettis said. “Today, it’s in our hangar preparing for service: three Challenger 3500s, owned by AB Jets, operated by AB Jets and built for charter. We’re proud of what our team has accomplished, and even more excited about what these aircraft allow us to do next.”

AB Jets expects post-delivery modifications and FAA conformity to be completed in the coming weeks, with the third Challenger 3500 scheduled to enter charter service in mid-September 2026.

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Hat Trick Complete

AB Jets has taken delivery of its third new Bombardier Challenger 3500

Preparing the Third Challenger 3500 for Charter

Expanding AB Jets’ Super-Midsize Fleet

From One Aircraft to Three New Challenger 3500 jets

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