NetJets, a Berkshire Hathaway company, has struck a deal with Textron to acquire up to 175 super-midsize Cessna Longitude aircraft and 150 Cessna Citation Hemisphere aircraft and which Textron anticipates will be firmed up over the next few weeks.

NetJets has operated Cessna aircraft since 1984 and the current deal would see its fleet of Cessna jets increase to approximately 800 over the next fifteen years. NetJets will also be the launch customer for the clean-sheet large-cabin Citation Hemisphere. Delivery of the first Citation Longitude is anticipated for the second half of 2019.

Textron Aviation and NetJets are designing a version of the Citation Hemisphere. They are also working with Safran, whose Silvercrest engine will be powering the Hemisphere, to achieve performance characteristics that will enable it to reach far-off destinations with greater speed and reliability.