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.[1] 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.
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.
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.[2]
| Variant | BBJ MAX 7 | BBJ MAX 8 | BBJ MAX 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin | 884 sq ft (82.1 m2) | 1,025 sq ft (95.2 m2) | 1,120 sq ft (104.1 m2) | |
| Cargo | 274 cu ft (7.8 m3) | 593 cu ft (16.8 m3) | 775 cu ft (21.9 m3) | |
| Length | 116 ft 8 in (35.6 m) | 129 ft 8 in (39.6 m) | 138 ft 2 in (42.1 m) | |
| Span × Height | 117 ft 10 in (35.9 m) × 40 ft 4 in (12.3 m) | |||
| MTOW | 177,000 lb (80.3 t) | 181,200 lb (82.2 t) | 194,700 lb (88.3 t) | |
| Max Payload | 32,500 lb (14.7 t) | 35,200 lb (16 t) | 38,800 lb (17.6 t) | |
| OEW | 106,200 lb (48.2 t) | 110,200 lb (50 t) | 117,700 lb (53.4 t) | |
| Furnishings | 15,500 lb (7 t) | 18,000 lb (8.2 t) | 21,000 lb (9.5 t) | |
| MEW | 90,700 lb (41.2 t) | 92,200 lb (41.8 t) | 96,700 lb (43.9 t) | |
| Fuel capacity | 10,103 US gal (38,244 L) | 10,381 US gal (39,296 L) | 10,910 US gal (41,299 L) | |
| Engines (2×) | CFM International LEAP-1B | |||
| Range (8 pax) | 6,600 nmi (12,225 km;) | 6,465 nmi (11,975 km;) | 6,355 nmi (11,770 km;) | |
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.
| Variant | BBJ 787-8 | BBJ 787-9 | BBJ 777-8 | BBJ 777-9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin | 2,340 sq ft (217.3 m2) | 2,688 sq ft (249.7 m2) | 3,256 sq ft (302.5 m2) | 3,689 sq ft (342.7 m2) | |
| Cargo | 4,397 cu ft (124.5 m3) | 5,452 cu ft (154.4 m3) | 6,332 cu ft (179.3 m3) | 7,705 cu ft (218.2 m3) | |
| Length | 186 ft 1 in (56.7 m) | 206 ft 1 in (62.8 m) | 229 ft (69.8 m) | 251 ft 9 in (76.7 m) | |
| Span | 197 ft 3 in (60.1 m) | 235 ft 5 in (71.8 m) | |||
| Height | 55 ft 6 in (16.9 m) | 55 ft 10 in (17 m) | 63 ft 11 in (19.48 m) | 64 ft 1 in (19.53 m) | |
| MTOW | 502,500 lb (227.9 t) | 560,000 lb (254 t) | 775,000 lb (351.5 t) | ||
| Max Payload | 78,000 lb (35.3 t) | 104,600 lb (47.4 t) | 138,500 lb (62.8 t) | 147,000 lb (66.6 t) | |
| OEW | 277,000 lb (125.7 t) | 295,400 lb (134 t) | 402,500 lb (182.6 t) | 415,000 lb (188.3 t) | |
| Furnishings | 40,000 lb (18.1 t) | 45,000 lb (20.4 t) | 55,000 lb (25 t) | 65,000 lb (29.5 t) | |
| MEW | 237,000 lb (107.6 t) | 250,400 lb (113.6 t) | 347,500 lb (157.6 t) | 350,000 lb (158.8 t) | |
| Fuel capacity | 33,340 US gal (126,206 L) | 33,380 US gal (126,357 L) | 52,136 US gal (197,356 L) | ||
| Engines | GEnx-1B or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 | General Electric GE9X | |||
| Range (25 pax) | 9,960 nmi (18,445 km;) | 9,475 nmi (17,550 km;) | 11,835 nmi (21,920 km;) | 11,330 nmi (20,985 km;) | |
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.[3] A total of 23 BBJ2s were delivered to customers.
The BBJ3 aircraft is based on the 737-900ER aircraft.[4] The BBJ3 is approximately longer than the BBJ2 and has a slightly shorter range.[5] 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.
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.[6]
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.[6]
Through December 2022[7]
| Aircraft | 737 | 747 | 757 | 767 | 777 | 787 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orders | 198 | 17 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 18 | 263 | |
| Deliveries | 190 | 17 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 16 | 253 | |
| In service | 188 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 244 |