Prestige Jet to operate the world's first Embraer Lineage 1000 aircraft

The aircraft, which is being managed by Prestige Jet on behalf of owner Aamer Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, is currently being fitted out in the USA ready to enter operations in November this year.
"The addition of this ultra-long range aircraft to our fleet is a real coup," explains Faris Deeb, Managing Director of Prestige Jet. "Designed by the manufacturers to accommodate up to 19 passengers in a variety of different configurations of ultimate comfort and luxury, the aircraft is now being fitted out to ensure it meets the needs of our discerning customers across the Middle East market," he said.

Deeb also stated that the Lineage 1000 falls into a private air charter jet category that doesn't exist at present namely beneath the BBJ and above the mid size aircraft, and will provide Prestige Jet with a competitive advantage in terms of flexibility in the number of passengers that can be carried and the charter rates.

The flexible interior of the aircraft offers a set of pre-defined cabin configurations to fit all travellers' needs with up to five distinct privacy zones affording plentiful room for work, rest and meetings.

Amenities aboard include Wi-Fi technology, internet access, ethernet and other features.

"Our configuration will see result in great versatility for passengers and will include a private/meeting room and divans with berthing capacity.

"Another important aspect of the aircraft is its huge baggage capacity of some 615 cubic feet (17.4 cubic meters)," he adds.

"A large, pressurized aft baggage area, which is conveniently accessible during flight, is more than twice the size of baggage compartments in competitive jets.

Prestige Jet expects the greatest demand for this unique aircraft to come from customers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Russia, the latter being a market of growing potential for the airline.

"In our short history, we have already seen strong growth from the Russian market segment and the operation of the Lineage 1000 was central to our plans to cater for more business through the remainder of 2008 and beyond," he said.

"Russian consumers have embarked on an unprecedented spending spree, on all things luxury. This conspicuous consumerism has also led to more discriminating preferences in transportation and travel. Russian business people in particular are increasingly embracing executive jets as indispensable business tools, he continues.

"Like their Gulf counterparts, the heads of large Russian corporations and wealthy individuals are increasingly recognizing the commercial advantages private jet travel brings - not the least of which is being free to fly when they want, where they want, without delays or connection hassles," adds Deeb. "This form of transport also affords greater security, reduces travel time and increases privacy, while at the same time overcomes the challenges of transfer connectivity, and transit times at international airports."

Deeb says the Lineage 1000 is another important step in Prestige Jet's drive to become a dynamic, flexible operation, whose young, mixed fleet will allow for greater customer availability of aircraft and optimum operational effectiveness.