Embraer Phenom 300: Specs, Range, Price & Charter Cost (2026 Guide)
The Embraer Phenom 300 is the world's most-delivered light business jet — a title it has held every year since 2013, according to General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) shipment data. With a 1,971 nautical mile range, Mach 0.80 top cruise speed, an 8-seat cabin, and best-in-class 45,000 ft ceiling, it is the aircraft most charter clients actually fly when they book a light jet. This guide covers every spec that matters, real 2026 charter hourly rates, the difference between the original Phenom 300 and the current Phenom 300E, and how to decide between chartering, buying, or joining a fractional program.
Embraer Phenom 300 at a Glance
The Phenom 300 is a twin-engine light jet built by Embraer Executive Jets at the manufacturer's Melbourne, Florida assembly line and its Brazilian facilities. It entered service in December 2009. The current in-production model is the Phenom 300E, an enhanced version that received its FAA type certification in 2020.
| Specification | Phenom 300E (current) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Embraer Executive Jets |
| Category | Light jet |
| First delivery | December 2009 (original); 2020 (300E) |
| Max range | 2,010 nm (with 6 passengers, NBAA IFR reserves) |
| Max cruise speed | Mach 0.80 (~464 KTAS) |
| Max operating altitude | 45,000 ft |
| Engines | 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E1 |
| Passenger seats | Up to 9 (typical: 6–8) |
| Crew | 2 pilots |
| Cabin length | 17 ft 2 in (5.23 m) |
| Cabin width | 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) |
| Cabin height | 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) |
| Baggage capacity | 84 cu ft (largest in class) |
| Takeoff distance | 3,209 ft (sea level, MTOW) |
| Charter rate (2026) | $3,705 – $9,652 per hour |
| New list price (2026) | ~$11.1 million |
Range, speed, ceiling, and cabin dimensions above are Embraer's published Phenom 300E specifications. Charter rate range is the actual quoted band across the DesJets operator network for this aircraft.
Phenom 300 Range: How Far It Actually Flies
The Phenom 300E's certified maximum range is 2,010 nautical miles (3,724 km) with 6 passengers, NBAA IFR reserves, and 100 nm alternate. That is the longest range in the light-jet class and comfortably longer than every direct competitor — the Cessna Citation CJ4 tops out around 2,165 nm with fewer seats, and the Learjet 75 Liberty at 2,040 nm was discontinued in 2021.
What that means in real routes:
- New York (TEB) → Miami (OPF) — 950 nm, ~2h 20m, comfortable single leg
- Los Angeles (VNY) → Chicago (PWK) — 1,540 nm, ~3h 40m, non-stop with typical winds
- Miami (OPF) → New York (TEB) → Toronto (YYZ) — routes coast-to-coast on East Coast schedules
- London (LTN) → Athens (ATH) — 1,300 nm, well within range non-stop
- Dubai (DWC) → Cairo (CAI) — 1,150 nm, non-stop with fuel stop optional
- Los Angeles → Honolulu — 2,200 nm, out of range; longer transoceanic legs require a heavy jet
The Phenom 300 will not cross the Atlantic non-stop from most US East Coast airports, but it handles transcontinental US flights with headwind margin, London to almost anywhere in Europe, and virtually every Middle East city-pair inside the Gulf and Levant regions.
Phenom 300 Speed: Mach 0.80 Cruise
The Phenom 300E's maximum operating speed is Mach 0.80, equivalent to roughly 464 knots true airspeed at cruise altitude. In its current certification, Embraer positions the Phenom 300E as the fastest single-pilot-certified light jet in production, and its high-speed cruise beats the Citation CJ4 (Mach 0.77) and the Nextant 400XTi (Mach 0.78) in its category.
Practically, this means:
- New York to Miami is a shade under 2h 20m in block time
- London to Nice runs about 1h 45m gate-to-gate
- Cross-country US legs like LA to Chicago come in under 4 hours
The 45,000 ft ceiling matters here too. Above 41,000 ft the Phenom 300 gets above most commercial airliner traffic, weather systems, and turbulence — meaning fewer holding patterns, fewer weather reroutes, and a smoother ride.
Phenom 300 vs Phenom 300E: What Changed
The Phenom 300E is not a full model change but a substantial upgrade rolled out in stages between 2017 and 2020. The most important differences from the original 2009-2016 Phenom 300:
- Range extended from ~1,971 nm to 2,010 nm through aerodynamic and engine improvements
- Max cruise increased from Mach 0.78 to Mach 0.80
- Bossa Nova cabin interior — new Embraer signature interior with redesigned side ledges, seats, and lighting
- Runway-Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS) — Embraer was first business-jet OEM to certify this technology
- Predictive windshear detection and enhanced Prodigy Touch flight deck
If you are chartering, the operator will list "Phenom 300" or "Phenom 300E" — many operators use the terms interchangeably. If you are buying used, model-year 2020 or later is a Phenom 300E; earlier years are the original Phenom 300.
Phenom 300 Cabin: Interior, Seats & Comfort
The Phenom 300 cabin was designed in partnership with BMW Group DesignworksUSA and remains one of the reasons the aircraft dominates its class. Key numbers:
- Cabin length: 17 ft 2 in (usable, excluding lavatory and baggage)
- Cabin width: 5 ft 1 in — a stand-up width, though not stand-up height
- Cabin height: 4 ft 11 in — passengers under about 4'11" can stand fully upright
- Cabin altitude: 6,600 ft when the aircraft is at 45,000 ft — the best pressurization in the light-jet class, meaning less fatigue on long legs
- Windows: the largest in the light-jet class — noticeably brighter cabin than the CJ4 or Citation XLS
Seating Configurations
The most common layout is 6 passengers in a "double club" arrangement — two pairs of facing club seats with a small forward divan seat and a side-facing seat aft near the lavatory. Executive-configuration Phenom 300s often add a 7th seat as a belted lav seat. The maximum FAA-certified capacity is 9 passengers, though this is rare in charter operations and reduces baggage room significantly.
All main-cabin seats fully recline, swivel 180°, and have adjustable armrests. Seat controls include a temperature control at the "VIP" (front club) seat.
Amenities on Board
- Partial galley with hot and cold food storage, coffee brewer, ice drawer
- Fully enclosed rear lavatory with vanity and pocket door — belted for takeoff/landing
- 110V AC outlets and USB power at every seat
- In-flight Wi-Fi (Gogo AVANCE L5 on most 2019+ aircraft; Viasat available on 2022+)
- Cabin management system with wireless control from mobile devices
- 84 cu ft external baggage compartment — the largest in class, enough for 6 sets of golf clubs, 6 pairs of skis, or full family luggage for a week
Phenom 300 Charter Cost: 2026 Hourly Rates
Phenom 300 charter rates in 2026 range from $3,705 to $9,652 per flight hour across the DesJets operator network, with most trips falling in the $4,500–$6,500 band. The wide range reflects operator location, aircraft age, fuel surcharge, and demand pattern.
| Route | Distance | Flight time | Typical charter cost (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (TEB) → Miami (OPF) | 950 nm | ~2h 20m | $14,000 – $18,000 |
| Los Angeles (VNY) → Las Vegas (LAS) | 210 nm | ~55 min | $7,500 – $10,500 |
| Los Angeles (VNY) → Chicago (PWK) | 1,540 nm | ~3h 40m | $22,000 – $28,000 |
| London (LTN) → Nice (NCE) | 560 nm | ~1h 45m | €11,000 – €15,000 |
| Dubai (DWC) → Riyadh (RUH) | 500 nm | ~1h 30m | $9,500 – $13,000 |
| Miami (OPF) → Nassau (NAS) | 170 nm | ~45 min | $7,000 – $9,500 |
What's Included in a Phenom 300 Charter Quote
A typical Phenom 300 quote includes aircraft time, 2 pilots, standard catering, standard ground handling, and standard fuel. Variables added on top:
- Federal Excise Tax: 7.5% on US domestic charter (statutory)
- Fuel surcharge: 5–15% of base rate, resets monthly
- Landing and FBO handling fees: $500 – $2,000 per airport
- Overnight crew fees: $700 – $1,200 per pilot per night
- De-icing (winter): $1,500 – $4,000
- Positioning: charged if the aircraft has to fly empty to reach you
Empty leg pricing on the Phenom 300 is common — the aircraft's frequent short-haul US East Coast routes generate discounted empty leg opportunities daily, often at 40–70% off standard charter pricing.
Phenom 300 Purchase Price: New and Used
The new-aircraft list price for a Phenom 300E in 2026 is approximately $11.1 million before optional equipment, per Embraer's most recent list pricing. Delivery slots for new build order are running 18–24 months due to steady demand — Embraer delivered 63 Phenom 300s in 2023 (GAMA data), the highest annual total of any light jet.
Used market pricing (2026 typical):
- 2010–2013 (early Phenom 300, ~2,500 hrs): $5.5M – $7.0M
- 2014–2017 (mid-cycle Phenom 300, ~1,500 hrs): $7.0M – $8.5M
- 2018–2020 (late Phenom 300 / early 300E, ~1,000 hrs): $8.5M – $10.0M
- 2021+ (Phenom 300E, low-time): $10.5M – $12.5M
Residual values on the Phenom 300 hold better than most light jets — a testament to demand. AMSTAT and JetNet residual data consistently place the Phenom 300 in the top quartile of light jets for value retention.
Total Cost of Ownership
Direct operating cost on the Phenom 300E runs about $2,100–$2,600 per flight hour (fuel, maintenance reserves, engine reserves), before fixed costs. Adding pilots, insurance, hangar, and non-flying overhead, budget approximately $1.4–$1.8 million per year at 300 annual flight hours — a common ownership utilization. This is the operating cost that operators mark up to produce the $3,700–$9,700 charter rate you see in the market.
Phenom 300 vs the Competition
| Aircraft | Max Range | Max Speed | Seats | Charter $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer Phenom 300E | 2,010 nm | Mach 0.80 | 6–8 | $3,700 – $9,700 |
| Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen2 | 2,165 nm | Mach 0.77 | 7 | $3,500 – $6,000 |
| Pilatus PC-24 | 2,000 nm | Mach 0.74 | 6–10 | $3,800 – $6,500 |
| HondaJet Elite II | 1,547 nm | Mach 0.72 | 5–6 | $3,000 – $4,500 |
| Cessna Citation CJ3+ | 2,040 nm | Mach 0.74 | 6–7 | $3,400 – $5,000 |
Where the Phenom 300 wins: fastest cruise in its class, largest baggage compartment, best cabin altitude, largest windows, longest continuous production streak (best support and parts network).
Where competitors win: the Pilatus PC-24 can operate from unpaved runways and shorter fields; the HondaJet is cheaper to charter for shorter legs; the CJ4 slightly beats it on range at a lower hourly rate.
Charter, Fractional, Card, or Own: How to Decide
How much you fly determines which access model fits — this is the same math for any aircraft, but the Phenom 300 is priced at every tier:
- Under 50 hours/year — on-demand charter is cheapest. No commitment, pay per trip.
- 50–150 hours/year — jet cards or fractional ownership starts to make sense. NetJets and Flexjet both offer Phenom 300 shares from 1/16th up to 1/2.
- 150–400 hours/year — full ownership becomes economic, especially if you can charter the aircraft out when not using it.
- 400+ hours/year — full ownership is clearly the right model, and a Phenom 300 may be undersized; consider a Phenom 300 paired with a heavy jet for long trips.
For most part-time private travelers, the Phenom 300 hits the sweet spot: enough range for coast-to-coast US or continental Europe, enough cabin for a family or a small team, and enough production volume that operators actually have it available when you want to fly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the range of the Embraer Phenom 300?
The current Phenom 300E has a certified maximum range of 2,010 nautical miles (3,724 km) with 6 passengers and NBAA IFR reserves. The original Phenom 300 built between 2009 and 2016 had a range of 1,971 nm. In practical terms, that covers US coast-to-coast, all of continental Europe, and most Middle East city-pairs non-stop.
How fast does the Phenom 300 fly?
The Phenom 300E has a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.80, equivalent to roughly 464 knots true airspeed at cruise. That makes it the fastest single-pilot-certified light jet in production. Typical block-time examples: New York to Miami in about 2h 20m, London to Nice in about 1h 45m.
How much does it cost to charter a Phenom 300?
Phenom 300 charter rates run $3,705 to $9,652 per flight hour in 2026, with most quotes landing in the $4,500–$6,500 range. Total trip costs vary with route length, positioning, fuel surcharge, and FBO fees. A typical New York to Miami charter runs $14,000–$18,000 all-in.
How much does a new Phenom 300 cost to buy?
Embraer's 2026 list price for a new Phenom 300E is approximately $11.1 million before optional equipment. Used Phenom 300s range from about $5.5M for a 2010–2013 model with typical hours up to $12.5M for a low-time recent Phenom 300E.
How many passengers does the Phenom 300 hold?
The Phenom 300 is certified for up to 9 passengers plus 2 pilots, but the standard executive configuration is 6 passengers in a double-club layout, with an optional 7th seat as a belted lavatory seat. Six passengers with full baggage is the comfortable maximum for a real trip.
Is the Phenom 300 the best-selling light jet?
Yes. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) shipment database, the Embraer Phenom 300 has been the world's most-delivered light business jet every year since 2013. Embraer delivered 63 units in 2023, more than any competitor in the category.
What's the difference between the Phenom 300 and Phenom 300E?
The Phenom 300E is an enhanced version of the original Phenom 300, in production since 2020 (with interior upgrades rolled out from 2017). Key differences: 39 nm more range (2,010 vs 1,971 nm), higher top speed (Mach 0.80 vs 0.78), redesigned Bossa Nova cabin interior, ROAAS runway-overrun protection, and predictive windshear detection.
Can the Phenom 300 fly transatlantic?
Not from most US East Coast airports non-stop. The Phenom 300's 2,010 nm range covers New York to almost anywhere in Europe with a fuel stop (typically Gander or Reykjavik), but non-stop transatlantic requires a heavy or ultra-long-range jet like the Bombardier Global 7500 or Gulfstream G650.
What runway length does a Phenom 300 need?
The Phenom 300E's certified takeoff distance is 3,209 ft at maximum takeoff weight, sea level, standard day. Landing distance is 2,212 ft. That opens up thousands of smaller regional airports that airline aircraft cannot use, including popular resort destinations like Aspen, Nantucket, St. Barths, and Courchevel.
Get a Live Phenom 300 Charter Quote
Charter pricing on the Phenom 300 varies day-to-day with fleet availability, positioning, and fuel. For a real quote on your exact route and date — or to see current empty leg opportunities on Phenom 300s in your area — request a quote from DesJets. Quotes are typically returned within 60 minutes across our worldwide operator network, and there is no obligation to book.
