Boeing Business Jets is a Seattle-based American OEM Boeing division that sells factory-new private aircraft. However, these jets differ from most Le Bourget or Teterboro corporate aircraft; they do not feature the classic t-tail or have low-to-the-ground wings. Instead, they are VVIP airliners, jets based on or usually destined for commercial aviation but have been converted into business jets by corporations, charter airlines, and ultra-high-net-worth individual owners. Let’s take a deep dive into the history of the BBJ program, what products they offer, and some notable owners worldwide.

A brief history

To understand what BBJs are, it is essential to know how the program came to be. Private operators have owned second-hand jets by Boeing since the dawn of the jet age. Notable examples include former US President Donald Trump, who is known to be a faithful private jet owner of Boeing. Today, he operates a 757-200 registered N757AF; before that, he operated a 727 registered VP-BDJ, according to NYC Aviation. That said, neither of these are technically “Boeing Business Jets,” despite being built by the same aircraft manufacturer.

The story of BBJs originated from the BBJ1, which had its first flight on September 4th, 1998, and was based on the Boeing 737-700. However, it was designed with additional features, including stronger wings and landing gear from the Boeing 737-800. The aircraft offered up to nine auxiliary belly fuel tanks to extend its range to over 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km; 6,900 mi).

Boeing introduced the BBJ2 on October 11th, 1999. It is based on the 737-800 aircraft and is stretched compared to its predecessor. It offers 25% more cabin space and twice the baggage space but with a slightly reduced range. It also features auxiliary fuel tanks in the cargo hold and winglets. The first BBJ2 was delivered on February 28th, 2001, and 23 examples of the type were delivered to customers.

The BBJ3, as some of you may have guessed, is based on the 737-900ER aircraft and is approximately 16 feet (4.9 m) longer than the BBJ2, though it has a slightly shorter range. In total, just even BBJ3s were delivered.

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BBJs available today

Today, all Boeing factory-made products are available for purchase as private jets. From the yet-to-be-certified 737 MAX 7, for which the corporate jet version is dubbed the BBJ 737 MAX 7, to one of the most popular commercial widebodies worldwide, the 787-9, these aircraft are made to cater to the needs of state operators and VVIP owners worldwide.

The BBJ737Max family

Photo: Boeing

VVIP owners opting for a 737 MAX as a BBJ platform will have three models to choose from: the -7, -8, and -9. Depending on the variant selected, its price will range between $101M for the 737-7 and $118M for the most significant variant, the -9. Notably, customers get the aircraft from Boeing without any interior; they must look for cabin outfitters afterward. Alexander Cracker, a VVIP airliner broker, suggests a VVIP conversion would cost up to $36M, depending on the client’s requirements.

BBJ 777

There are three versions of the BBJ777, none of which are currently produced by the American aircraft manufacturer. The most recent version to have been made was the BBJ777-200LR. According to Paramount Business Jets, a new aircraft like this would cost $285,000,000. With a range of about 10,000 miles, it could link just about any two significant airports worldwide without stopping. According to Comlux, who operated the type, the jet can carry 88 passengers. It is ideal for heads of state, their entourage, and the press to all be held in one jet in upscale comfort.

Image: Boeing

There are upcoming versions of the BBJ777 in the shape of the yet-to-be-certified 777X. According to Business Insider, the -8 and -9 will be available with a starting price of more than $401M. It would be wise to wait for the first model to roll out of the production line and finish flight testing before speculating on the actual operational characteristics. Still, rumors suggest the aircraft will have a range of 11,645 NM.

Simple Flying has been unable to verify the capacity of the jet independently.

Notable operators

By definition, the private jet industry is private; information on who owns which jet is typically scarce, as users value enhanced privacy during their travels. However, a handful of known VVIPs operate Boeing Business Jets, especially governments. Let’s have a look at a few of them.

Qatar Amiri Flight

Photo: kamilpetran | Shutterstock

The Qatar Royal Family has a fleet of private jets. They are known operators of ACJs, with aircraft ranging from the relatively small Airbus A319 to the giant A340-500. However, their most interesting private jets are the BBJ 747-8s. They operated three of them, although one has now been sold to Global Jet.

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Abu Dhabi Presidential Flight

This is the executive jet division of the Abu Dhabi Royal Family’s UAE Air Force VVIP jets. They own a wide range of BBJs, from the BBJ787 to the BBJ777-300ER.

Photo : N509FZ | Wikimedia Commons

Fellow UAE VVIP airwing in Dubai also operated BBJs in the shape of 737s and modified 747-400s (which aren’t technically BBJs but are still private Boeing aircraft).

Air X Charter

It’s the only private operator on our list, but for excellent reasons. They operate one BBJ737 registered 9H-ELF. According to its website, it can carry up to 18 passengers on flights lasting up to 12 hours. Planespotters worldwide call it the most beautiful Boeing Business Jet, but we will let you decide in the comments.

What is your favorite VVIP Airliner? Let us know below.