- News
- Sep 11, 2026
- 8 min read
New Flexjet Terminal at Farnborough Could Accelerate Global Expansion
Flexjet has opened its first private terminal outside North America, a $34 million facility at Farnborough Airport (EGLF) near London.
Flexjet has opened its first private terminal outside North America, a $34 million facility at Farnborough Airport (EGLF) near London. In addition to passenger lounges and amenities, the complex also serves as Flexjet’s international training center for flight attendants and as an operations hub. The 22,583-sq.-ft. Farnborough facility is part of a growing network of private terminals that will expand next year with facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Bozeman, Montana. Flexjet’s network already includes dedicated facilities in White Plains and Teterboro in the New York area, as well as in Miami, Naples and West Palm Beach in Florida, Dallas, and Van Nuys Airport in the Los Angeles area.
The new terminal provides discreet ramp-side access to flights opposite Farnborough’s main terminal, with preflight security screening and passport control conducted on site.
The interior features a mock-up of a Gulfstream G700 cabin, as well as a bar and owners’ lounge and several private meeting rooms.
At the terminal’s opening, Flexjet CEO Michael Silvestro said the group’s customer base and flight activity had grown by more than 20% since the start of the pandemic, significantly above the industry’s average growth rate of 3–4%. This year, the company expects to operate almost 1,300 transatlantic flights, three times as many as in 2023.
Flexjet’s presence in Europe is expected to become a springboard for further expansion eastward. “We have been developing plans to expand into the Middle East for years, but we have proceeded cautiously, mainly because we cannot obtain enough aircraft to meet demand there,” Silvestro said.
Flexjet’s fleet is expected to reach 360 aircraft by the end of the year, with almost 50 more aircraft due for delivery next year. “This is measured growth because it involves a large number of pilots, flight attendants, maintenance personnel and cabin refurbishment work,” Silvestro noted. “Maintaining that momentum while paying attention to detail and preserving our culture and what makes our people special is no easy task.”
For operational flexibility, Flexjet holds an EU air operator certificate in Malta in addition to its U.S. fleet. During periods of high demand on either side of the Atlantic, this allows the company to draw aircraft from either side of the ocean to meet demand and also enables crews to work on both sides of the Atlantic.
Over the past six months, Flexjet, like most business aviation operators, has been forced to pass significant increases in fuel prices on to customers. For Flexjet owners, fuel costs are the only variable monthly expense; management fees and hourly rates are fixed for five years under fractional ownership agreements.
Flexjet’s London Showroom
Flexjet’s management meets at the central London office of aircraft brokerage specialist The Jet Business, which Flexjet recently acquired. According to Silvestro, the facility in the fashionable Knightsbridge district will soon be transformed into an exclusive showroom for Flexjet’s private aviation offerings under the direction of The Jet Business founder Steve Varsano.
In addition to a training area for flight attendants in the Red Label program, the Farnborough complex also includes Flexjet’s tactical control center for managing flight operations. The company recently opened a maintenance and repair hangar at the airport to support its European fleet.
In addition to the G700, Flexjet operates a range of Gulfstream models, including the G650, G500 and G450. The fleet also includes the Embraer Phenom 300 and Praetor 500/600, as well as the Bombardier Challenger 350/3500.
Sikorsky S-76 and Agusta AW139 helicopters are also available to owners. Flexjet is establishing a local base for rotorcraft operations at Blackbushe Airport (EGLK) near Farnborough.
“This opening creates one of the most significant branded luxury environments in private aviation and marks a defining moment in Flexjet’s global expansion,” company chairman Kenn Ricci said.
The training center at Farnborough has a galley where flight attendants can practice preparing dishes in a space replicating the area available aboard Flexjet aircraft. By completing the Foundation, Elevate and Refine course sequence, they receive initial and recurrent training in skills such as wine and cocktail preparation, as well as floristry.
Flexjet Vice President of Customer Experience Francesco Vanerio said the company’s flight attendants are prepared to improvise, providing high-quality, creative service in unpredictable circumstances. “They need to have a ‘Mary Poppins bag’ ready so they can find local ingredients to feed customers while creating an emotional connection with the local market.”
Flexjet has opened its first private terminal outside North America, a $34 million facility at Farnborough Airport (EGLF) near London. In addition to passenger lounges and amenities, the complex also serves as Flexjet’s international training center for flight attendants and as an operations hub. The 22,583-sq.-ft. Farnborough facility is part of a growing network of private terminals that will expand next year with facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Bozeman, Montana. Flexjet’s network already includes dedicated facilities in White Plains and Teterboro in the New York area, as well as in Miami, Naples and West Palm Beach in Florida, Dallas, and Van Nuys Airport in the Los Angeles area.
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The new terminal provides discreet ramp-side access to flights opposite Farnborough’s main terminal, with preflight security screening and passport control conducted on site.
The interior features a mock-up of a Gulfstream G700 cabin, as well as a bar and owners’ lounge and several private meeting rooms.
At the terminal’s opening, Flexjet CEO Michael Silvestro said the group’s customer base and flight activity had grown by more than 20% since the start of the pandemic, significantly above the industry’s average growth rate of 3–4%. This year, the company expects to operate almost 1,300 transatlantic flights, three times as many as in 2023.
Flexjet’s presence in Europe is expected to become a springboard for further expansion eastward. “We have been developing plans to expand into the Middle East for years, but we have proceeded cautiously, mainly because we cannot obtain enough aircraft to meet demand there,” Silvestro said.
Flexjet’s fleet is expected to reach 360 aircraft by the end of the year, with almost 50 more aircraft due for delivery next year. “This is measured growth because it involves a large number of pilots, flight attendants, maintenance personnel and cabin refurbishment work,” Silvestro noted. “Maintaining that momentum while paying attention to detail and preserving our culture and what makes our people special is no easy task.”
For operational flexibility, Flexjet holds an EU air operator certificate in Malta in addition to its U.S. fleet. During periods of high demand on either side of the Atlantic, this allows the company to draw aircraft from either side of the ocean to meet demand and also enables crews to work on both sides of the Atlantic.
Over the past six months, Flexjet, like most business aviation operators, has been forced to pass significant increases in fuel prices on to customers. For Flexjet owners, fuel costs are the only variable monthly expense; management fees and hourly rates are fixed for five years under fractional ownership agreements.
Flexjet’s London Showroom
Flexjet’s management meets at the central London office of aircraft brokerage specialist The Jet Business, which Flexjet recently acquired. According to Silvestro, the facility in the fashionable Knightsbridge district will soon be transformed into an exclusive showroom for Flexjet’s private aviation offerings under the direction of The Jet Business founder Steve Varsano.
In addition to a training area for flight attendants in the Red Label program, the Farnborough complex also includes Flexjet’s tactical control center for managing flight operations. The company recently opened a maintenance and repair hangar at the airport to support its European fleet.
In addition to the G700, Flexjet operates a range of Gulfstream models, including the G650, G500 and G450. The fleet also includes the Embraer Phenom 300 and Praetor 500/600, as well as the Bombardier Challenger 350/3500.
Sikorsky S-76 and Agusta AW139 helicopters are also available to owners. Flexjet is establishing a local base for rotorcraft operations at Blackbushe Airport (EGLK) near Farnborough.
“This opening creates one of the most significant branded luxury environments in private aviation and marks a defining moment in Flexjet’s global expansion,” company chairman Kenn Ricci said.
The training center at Farnborough has a galley where flight attendants can practice preparing dishes in a space replicating the area available aboard Flexjet aircraft. By completing the Foundation, Elevate and Refine course sequence, they receive initial and recurrent training in skills such as wine and cocktail preparation, as well as floristry.
Flexjet Vice President of Customer Experience Francesco Vanerio said the company’s flight attendants are prepared to improvise, providing high-quality, creative service in unpredictable circumstances. “They need to have a ‘Mary Poppins bag’ ready so they can find local ingredients to feed customers while creating an emotional connection with the local market.”
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