NBAA-BACE 2026: what mattered at business aviation’s big show

The National Business Aviation Association held its yearly convention, NBAA-BACE, in Las Vegas, October 20 to 22, 2026. NBAA bills it as business aviation’s most powerful event. Makers bring new aircraft, and regulators come to talk policy.

Here is what stood out.

A new light jet with more than 50 letters of intent

SyberJet showed a full-scale mockup of its SJ36, a nine-seat light jet. The company says more than 50 aircraft are covered by letters of intent. Aviation International News reported the same figure.

SyberJet itself says the letters are non-binding and are not purchase agreements. Treat the number as a sign of demand, not a sales total.

The Citation CJ3 Gen2 makes its show debut

Textron Aviation brought the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 to the show for the first time. Textron lists three main changes: Garmin autothrottles, more legroom for the pilot and a cabin that owners can fully customize.

An autothrottle sets engine power for the pilot, much like cruise control in a car.

Gulfstream’s G400 on display

Gulfstream showed a G400 test aircraft and a cabin mockup. Just before the show, it said the first fully outfitted G400 had made its first flight. Another test jet set a city-pair speed record on the way to Las Vegas. Our separate story has the details.

Gulfstream’s display also included the G700, G800, G500, G600 and a mockup of the new G300.

Electric aircraft and Washington

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman all spoke at the show. NBAA says Duffy used the show to announce that the FAA had picked BETA Technologies as the first maker of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs, cleared for passenger demonstration flights. AviNews reported the same news.

The show floor

NBAA says more than 100 companies exhibited for the first time. Newer ideas on show included a hydrogen-powered aircraft from Beyond Aero and a simulator for the Regent seaglider, a craft that flies just above the water.

What it means for flyers

Most of this year’s news was about products still in testing. The SJ36 is a mockup. The G400 is in flight testing. Our read: for people who fly private now, change will come slowly. If these programs stay on track, buyers should see more new choices over the next few years.

Top photo: ZLEA via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped.