AB Jets Completes Challenger 3500 Hat Trick Order

Memphis-based charter operator AB Jets has taken delivery of its third new Bombardier Challenger 3500, completing a three-aircraft order placed in 2023 and expanding its super-midsize fleet capabilities.

The aircraft departed Bombardier’s Montreal production facility on August 2, 2026, and is scheduled to enter charter service in mid-September 2026 following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conformity and post-delivery modifications. According to a company press release, the delivery marks the culmination of a three-year strategic expansion dubbed the “Hat Trick.”

Fleet expansion and aircraft modifications

The Bombardier Challenger 3500 features a nine-passenger seating capacity and an approximate range of 3,400 nautical miles. Before entering active service, the newly delivered jet will undergo specialized preventative modifications by Quiet Technology Aerospace (QTA) designed to address corrosion and improve long-term reliability. The aircraft will also be equipped with Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi.

AB Jets Co-owner and Director of Operations David Turner emphasized the operational focus of these additions.

“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,” Turner stated.

Delivery timeline and future orders

The initial order was announced at the National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in October 2023. AB Jets received the first Challenger 3500 in September 2025, followed by the second in late 2025. The third delivery was originally anticipated for May 2026 but experienced delays attributed to weather disruptions in Montreal, extended production and quality-control processes, and the operator’s relocation to a new hangar facility.

“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.

The company, which has been in continuous operation since 1999, also operates four Learjet 60 and four Learjet 60SE aircraft. In April 2026, AB Jets placed an additional order for two more Challenger 3500s, with deliveries scheduled for December 2028 and November 2029.

Jet card program integration

To support the expanded super-midsize fleet, AB Jets launched a new jet card program. The offering provides guaranteed rates and availability across a service area spanning from South America to Alaska. The operator has deliberately capped membership numbers to ensure clients primarily fly aboard the company’s own Challenger 3500 fleet rather than brokered aircraft.

AirPro News analysis

We view AB Jets’ transition into the super-midsize category as a necessary evolution for an operator historically reliant on the Learjet 60 platform. With Learjet production ended, the Bombardier Challenger 3500 provides a logical upgrade path that offers increased range and passenger capacity while maintaining a relationship with the same original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The decision to invest in QTA modifications prior to service entry indicates a long-term ownership strategy focused on maximizing dispatch reliability in a competitive charter market.

Sources: AB Jets