Maintained properly, upgraded to comply with changing regulations, modified with more capable avionics in the cockpit, repainted outside, refurbished inside, and sometimes even equipped with newer, more powerful, energy-efficient engines, a business aircraft can fly safely and effectively for 30 or 40 years or more. In addition, manufacturers constantly refine and improve their production models and create new examples, so it is not hard to understand why hundreds of business aircraft models are flying today.
Ideally, we would have liked to include all of them in this list, however, we quickly realized that we would reach the point of diminishing returns with many older models as their numbers decrease and interest in them for regular business and private flying wanes. Of course, like antique warbirds, many really old business aircraft will continue to fly for decades and maybe even increase in value, but few of them will be of much interest to buyers looking for aircraft for day-to-day transportation.
