Boeing Business Jet. A Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) is a version of a Boeing jet airliner with modifications to serve the private, head of state, and corporate jet market. The first BBJ, based on the 737-700, rolled out on July 26, 1998; and had its first flight on September 4, 1998. The BBJ name later came to represent any Boeing aircraft modified to serve in a business jet role. 

The first BBJ (later renamed the BBJ1) was first designed in 1996 as a high-performance derivative of the Boeing 737 Next Generation by Borge Boeskov, at the request of Phil Condit, president of Boeing, and Jack Welch, chairman and CEO of General Electric. Since its introduction, over 260 BBJs have been delivered.

Boeing expanded the BBJ brand to include configurations based on the 737 MAX, 777, 777X, 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 Intercontinental, which are known as BBJ 737 MAX, BBJ 777, BBJ 777X, BBJ 787, and BBJ 747-8, respectively. Boeing currently produces the BBJ 737 MAX and BBJ 787.  

After the launch of the BBJ, Airbus followed suit with the launch of the Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) program. Other smaller competitors include the Embraer Lineage, the Bombardier Global Express, the Gulfstream G550 and the Gulfstream G650.

Models

Current production models

Narrow body 
The primary product offered by Boeing Business Jets is the BBJ 737 MAX family. Launch was announced on April 2, 2014, and the first delivery occurred on October 15, 2018. The BBJ MAX replaces and improves upon the original BBJ 737 family, featuring a lower 6,500 ft cabin altitude for enhanced passenger comfort as well as a 15% reduction in fuel burn and an increase in range to over 6,000 nmi brought by new CFM LEAP-1B engines, improved aerodynamics, auxiliary fuel tanks, and other systems. 

 
The BBJ MAX is based on the Boeing 737 MAX family of aircraft. Unlike most commercial 737s, the BBJ MAX is fitted with retractable airstairs to allow independent operations at remote airfields. BBJ MAX aircraft are also equipped with all of the optional extra features available on commercial 737s, as well as the highest takeoff weight certification and maximum available engine thrust option.

The BBJ MAX also benefits from its commercial counterparts. Direct operating costs are estimated at $5,200 to $5,600 per hour, which is lower than many purpose-built business jets of similar size. This efficiency is partly enabled by a low utilization maintenance program, which lengthens the distance between maintenance intervals for BBJ operators – major checks occurring every four years, and heavy checks only once every 12 years.
 BBJ 737-7 (BBJ MAX 7) is a variant of the Boeing 737 MAX 7. It is 6 ft 4 in (1.93m) longer than the original BBJ1 and features a range of 6,600 nmi (12,225 km; ), which is 445 nmi (825 km; ) further than the BBJ1. The 737-7 is currently undergoing certification.
 BBJ 737-8 (BBJ MAX 8) is a variant of the Boeing 737 MAX 8. It first flew on April 16, 2018, and was first delivered in October of that year. The middle member of the family offers a strong combination of size and range.
 BBJ 737-9 (BBJ MAX 9) is a variant of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 and is the largest member of the BBJ MAX family, offering a cabin floor area of 1,120 sq ft (104.1 m2). The first BBJ 737-9 was delivered green on August 18, 2021.
In 2023, the equipped price of the BBJ MAX 7 was $101.5M, $110.5M for the MAX 8, and $118.5M for the MAX 9.

Specifications

Wide Body 
BBJ 787 Family: Based on Boeing's commercial 787 Dreamliner, the BBJ 787 is a large business jet featuring a composite airframe and low cabin altitude system. The BBJ 787−8 and the BBJ 787-9 are long-range aircraft, with ranges of 9,960 nmi (18,445 km; ) and 9,475 nmi (17,550 km; ), respectively, with 25 passengers. Eighteen were ordered through September 2022 with 16 delivered. 

BBJ 777X Family: Boeing launched BBJ variants of the 777X at the Middle East Business Aviation Association show in December 2018. The BBJ 777-8 and 777-9 will have ranges of 11,835 nmi (21,920 km; ) and 11,330 nmi (20,985 km; ), respectively, giving it the capability to fly more than halfway around the world without stopping, the longest of any current business jet. Now the largest business jets in the world, these aircraft have cabin areas of 3,256 and 3,689 sq. ft. (302.5 and 342.7 sq m) cabin. The cabin area of the 777-9 is larger than the main deck of a 747-400 and will be 30% cheaper to operate per hour. The 777X is currently undergoing certification before entry into service, currently expected in 2025.

Specifications

Out-of-production models 
Narrow-body
The BBJ (retroactively referred to as the BBJ1) was similar in dimensions to the Boeing 737-700 but had additional features, including stronger wings and landing gear from the Boeing 737-800. It offered up to nine auxiliary belly fuel tanks to extend the aircraft's range to over . Aviation Partners winglets became standard on the BBJ, giving it a 5% range boost. The first BBJ rolled out on August 11, 1998, and flew for the first time on September 4. A total of 113 BBJ1s were delivered to customers. 

On October 11, 1999, Boeing launched the BBJ2. Based on the 737-800, it is  longer than the BBJ1, with 25% more cabin space and twice the baggage space, but with slightly reduced range. It is also fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks in the cargo hold and winglets. The first BBJ2 was delivered on February 28, 2001. A total of 23 BBJ2s were delivered to customers.

The BBJ3 aircraft is based on the 737-900ER aircraft. The BBJ3 is approximately  longer than the BBJ2 and has a slightly shorter range. Seven BBJ3s were delivered to customers.

During its 20 years of production, 143 BBJs entered service, nearly triple the initial forecast of 50. Boeing delivered the last BBJ based on the 737NG in 2021.

Wide-body
Boeing previously offered BBJs based on the 747-8 Intercontinental, the final model of the venerable 747 family, and BBJs based on the 777 aircraft.

 BBJ 747: The 2nd largest business jet ever produced, it offered over 4,700 sq ft (440 m2) of cabin area, across the main and upper decks. It had a range of  with 100 passengers. Seventeen were ordered, and all have been delivered.
 BBJ 777: The BBJ 777-200LR and BBJ 777-300ER, based on the commercial 777s of those variants, were offered prior to the introduction of the BBJ 777X family. They offered ranges of   with 75 passengers, respectively. Seventeen were ordered, and all have been delivered.

Operators

Private
BBJs were initially operated by Fortune 100 companies like Aramco and Tracinda, NetJets, and casinos like the Las Vegas Sands. However, the 2008 recession put ultra-large jets under scrutiny, and they were divested by many companies including The Limited, General Electric, and Occidental Petroleum. Similarly, Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign reduced the conspicuous consumption of private jets in China.
BBJs are now operated by private firms and individuals: Fresno's Assemi Group, Miami's Crescent Heights, Wichita's Town & Country Food Market, Funair Corp., toymaker Ty, Fortress Transportation & Instructure, Jeffrey Katzenberg, John Travolta, Steven Spielberg, Washington Corp., Tutor Saliba or pachinko king Hideyuki Busujima, with many registrations hiding their owners’ identities.

State VIP users
Most BBJs are operated by governments for VIP transport in U.S., Australia and Africa, plus Colombia, Turkey, India, UAE, Jordan, Malaysia, South Africa and Tunisia; or Middle East oil barons like Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Saudi Arabia royalty.

Orders and deliveries 
Through December 2022

See also

Notes

References

External links

 

Business Jet
United States business aircraft
Boeing 737
Boeing 747
Boeing 777
Boeing 787 Dreamliner