Summary
- Phenom 300: Over 780 produced, best-selling light jet for 12 years, top in the US private jet market.
- Phenom 100: 410 produced, popular for its size, cost, and success as a very light jet.
- Legacy 600: 289 produced, successful switch to private jets, led to further jet offerings like the Legacy 650.
Embraer is a leading aircraft manufacturer based in Brazil. It is well known for both its commercial aircraft production (including the Embraer ERJ and E-jet families) as well as its products for the private aviation industry.
Embraer began manufacturing aircraft in the 1970s but did not enter the private industry until 2000, when it announced the Legacy 600 at the Farnborough Airshow. Since then, the company has produced a range of aircraft of different sizes and capabilities – from the smaller light Phenom jets, through the midsize Legacy (now Praetor) jets, and up to the largest Lineage 1000.
This guide looks at the features of just a few of the most popular jets, based on the total number produced.
1
Embraer Phenom 300
Over 780 aircraft produced (including the Phenom 300 and the Phenom 300E), and it remains in production
|
Capacity |
10 maximum passengers |
|---|---|
|
Length |
51 ft four in (15.6 m) |
|
Wingspan |
52 ft two in (15.9 m) |
|
Height |
16 ft nine in (5.1 m) |
|
Maximum takeoff weight |
18,551 pounds |
|
Takeoff distance |
3,209 feet |
|
Landing distance |
2,212 feet |
|
Max speed |
464 knots (534 miles per hour) |
|
Range |
2,010 nautical miles (2,313 miles) |
|
Service ceiling |
45,000 feet |
In top place for the number of aircraft produced (by a long way) is the Embraer Phenom 300. This is not just the best-selling Embraer jet – it has been the world’s best-selling light jet for twelve consecutive years. In 2023, the aircraft also became the most used private jet in the United States (taking over from the Cessna Citation Excel).
Why Did Embraer Develop The Phenom 300?
The company Embrare developed a more advanced Phenom model, guaranteeing more room for additional passenger without compromising the quality
The Phenom 300 came about from customers requesting a longer and larger jet than the successful Phenom 100 in the early 2000s. The manufacturer initially looked at the stretching of the cabin of the seven-seat Phenom 100, but this was soon switched to a new clean-sheet design. It shares some common features with its predecessor but adds bigger engines, spoilers, and winglets for better aircraft control. The jet first flew in 2008 and received certification in December 2009.
A Closer Look At The Purchase Price Of The Embraer Phenom 300
A good all rounder and value for money jet.
Embraer introduced the upgraded Phenom 300E in 2020 (it was first launched in 2020 without the engine upgrade). The 300E added Garmin G3000 avionics and a new interior design. It also switched to more powerful PW525E1 engines, resulting in:
- Increased maximum speed of Mach 0.80 (614 miles per hour).
- Increased aircraft range to 2,010 nautical miles (2,313 miles).
5 Things You Need To Know About The Embraer Phenom 300E
The Embraer 300E is a best-selling small private jet – with several things that set it apart.
2
Embraer Phenom 100
410 aircraft produced, and it remains in production
|
Capacity |
7 maximum passengers |
|---|---|
|
Length |
42 ft one in (12.8 m) |
|
Wingspan |
40 ft four in (12.3m) |
|
Height |
14 ft three in (4.3 m) |
|
Maximum takeoff weight |
10,582 pounds |
|
Takeoff distance |
3,199 feet |
|
Landing distance |
2,431 feet |
|
Max speed |
390 knots (448 miles per hour) |
|
Range |
1,178 nautical miles (1,356 miles) |
|
Service ceiling |
41,000 feet |
The Phenom 100 was Embraer’s first product in the very light jet market. It was announced in 2005, first flew in 2007, and received certification in December 2008.
The jet can take a maximum of seven passengers (including one in the cockpit with a single pilot), with a cabin length of just over 11 feet. This small size, and with it lower price and operating cost, has made it a very popular jet for Embraer (beaten only by the improved Phenom 300).
It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW617 turbofan engines. Embraer has improved the initial design with several modified variants:
- Phenom 100E. This added multifunction spoilers and Garmin G1000 avionics.
- Phenom 100EV. This was introduced in 2017, with a thrust increase from 1,695lb to 1,730lb (improving performance in hot and high environments), and Garmin G3000 avionics.
- Phenom 100EX. This came in 2023, with further avionics improvements, including runway overrun awareness and alerting system (ROAAS).
5 Changes That Were Made On The Embraer Phenom 100EV
The aircraft is much superior to the original Phenom 100.
3
Embraer Legacy 600
289 aircraft produced (including the Legacy 600 and Legacy 650), up to 2020.
|
Capacity |
12 maximum passengers |
|---|---|
|
Length |
68 ft one in (20.8 m) |
|
Wingspan |
63 feet (19.2 m) + |
|
Height |
21 ft two in (6.45 m) |
|
Maximum takeoff weight |
38,360 – 42,858 pounds |
|
Takeoff distance |
4,084 – 4,436 feet |
|
Landing distance |
2,122 – 2,270 feet |
|
Max speed |
459 knots (528 miles per hour) |
|
Range |
3,400 nautical miles (4,500 miles) for the Legacy 600 |
|
Service ceiling |
41,000 feet |
The Legacy 600 marked Embraer’s move into private jets, and its first move has been very successful. It is based on the Embraer ERJ commercial jet family, with a development of the ERJ-135. It was launched in 2000, first flew in 2001, and was certified in 2002.
The main performance changes from the commercial series include a much-improved range (with fewer passengers and additional fuel tanks), a higher service ceiling altitude, winglets, and reduced drag.
The Legacy 600 is an upper mid-size business jet, offering a capacity of up to 14 passengers. The type was a solid entry into the business jet market for Embraer, and offerings were soon expanded to the smaller Legacy 450 and 500 and the Phenom series, as well as the larger Lineage series.
The Legacy 650 variant was announced in 2009 and certified in 2011. It offered a longer range (of up to 3,900 NM or 7,300 km), which gives more options for US transcontinental flights and transatlantic flights. The Legacy 650 also improved with a lowered alleyway that gave passengers increased headroom in the cabin.
The Private ERJ: 5 Features Of The Embraer Legacy 600 Business Jet
While the Legacy 600 was discontinued in 2016, the Legacy 650 was built until 2020.
4
Embraer Legacy 500
Over 150 aircraft produced (including both the Embraer Legacy 500 and the Praetor 600) to date
|
Capacity |
12 maximum passengers |
|---|---|
|
Length |
68 ft one in (20.8 m) |
|
Wingspan |
63 feet (19.2 m) + |
|
Height |
21 ft two in (6.45 m) |
|
Maximum takeoff weight |
38,360 – 42,858 pounds |
|
Takeoff distance |
4,084 – 4,436 feet |
|
Landing distance |
2,122 – 2,270 feet |
|
Max speed |
466 knots (536 miles per hour) |
|
Range |
3,125 nautical miles (3,596 miles) |
|
Service ceiling |
45,000 feet |
Embraer launched the Legacy 450 and 500 together in August 2007 at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention. The Legacy 450 and 500 followed from the manufacturers success in the business jet market with the larger Legacy 600 and the smaller Phenom 100 and 300. They sit in between these jets, as a midsize business jet, offering passenger capacity of up to nine. There were the first midsize jets produced with a flat floor stand-up cabin and fly-by-wire flight controls.
The Legacy 500 is the larger version, based on the same design as the Legacy 450 with Honeywell HTF7500E engines. It is considered a solid mid-size jet, and it offers a passenger capacity of up to 12 (three more than the Legacy 450). To tell them apart from the outside, the Legacy 500 has seven cabin windows per side, and the Legacy 500 only has six.
The Legacy 500 was introduced before the 450. It first flew in November 2012 and was certified in August 2014 (one year before the Legacy 450).
Embraer also offers the Praetor 600. This is the same design as the Legacy 500, and is an upgrade and rebrand introduced in 2019. It remains in production in 2025.
The Praetor 500 offers an increased range of 3,340 nautical miles (3,840 miles) and a maximum speed of Mach 0.83 (636 miles per hour).
5
Embraer Legacy 450
Over 100 aircraft produced (including both the Embraer Legacy 450 and the Praetor 500) to date
|
Capacity |
Nine maximum passengers |
|---|---|
|
Length |
64 ft seven in (19.7 m) |
|
Wingspan |
63 feet (19.2 m) + |
|
Height |
21 ft two in (6.45 m) |
|
Maximum takeoff weight |
35,769 – 37,567 pounds |
|
Takeoff distance |
3,907 – 4,222 feet |
|
Landing distance |
2,090 feet |
|
Max speed |
462 knots (532 miles per hour) |
|
Range |
2,900 nautical miles (3,300 miles) |
|
Service ceiling |
45,000 feet |
The Legacy 450 was launched in 2007 at the same time as the Legacy 500. It is a smaller aircraft but still considered a midsize jet. It was developed together with the slightly larger Legacy 500 (which was certified and introduced first). The Legacy 450 first flew in December 2013 and was certified in August 2015.
Like the Legacy 500, the Legacy 450 has also been updated and rebranded. In 2019, it switched to the Praetor 500. This offers a range of 3,340 nautical miles (3,840 miles) and a maximum speed of Mach 0.83 (636 miles per hour).
6
Embraer Lineage 1000
Aircraft produced: 28 to date
|
Capacity |
19 maximum passengers |
|---|---|
|
Length |
118 feet eleven inches (36.25 m) |
|
Wingspan |
94 feet three inches (28.7 m) |
|
Height |
34 feet eight inches (10.6 m) |
|
Maximum takeoff weight |
120,152 pounds |
|
Takeoff distance |
6,076 feet |
|
Landing distance |
2,450 feet |
|
Cruise speed |
472 knots (543 miles per hour) |
|
Range |
4,600 nautical miles (5,300 miles) |
|
Service ceiling |
41,000 feet |
Bringing our list to a close is the Embraer Lineage 1000. This may come last for aircraft produced, but it leads the way for range and size. It was introduced in 2006 as one of the world’s first ultra-large business jets.
Embraer had an advantage here with its regional jet series. As its expansion into business jets was proving successful with the Legacy and Phenom series, the manufacturer decided to base a new ultra-large jet on the Embraer 190 design. The jet first flew in October 2007, and it received its first certification in December 2008.
Ultra-Long-Range Embraer? A Look At The Embraer Lineage 1000
Looking at this powerful aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer.
The jet offers a capacity of up to 19 passengers. Having been derived from a regional jet, the cabin is wide and spacious (more so than the competing Falcon 7X and Gulfstream G600). The cabin is usually divided into up to five separate sections. The aircraft performance and range are much improved over the Embraer 190, though, with lower weight and additional fuel tanks.
Like several of its other jets, Embraer updated the Lineage `1000. The Lineage 1000E, launched in 2018, offered upgraded in-flight entertainment and cockpit options, including the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics system.
Only 28 aircraft were produced, for several corporate and private owners as well as for charter (famous owners include Travis Scott and Tyler Perry). Production ended in 2000, with Embraer now focussing on the smaller and mid-size business jets.
