Phenom 300
The Embraer Phenom 300 is a twin-engine light jet seating eight passengers at 453 knots with a published range of 2,010 nautical miles and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. Against the light-category average, those numbers stand out: category peers average six seats, 1,723nm of range, and 429 knots. The 5.1-foot-wide, 4.9-foot-tall cabin is above category average on both dimensions and includes an enclosed lavatory and Wi-Fi.
With 94 aircraft on US Part 135 certificates across 25 operators, the type has a concentrated operator base. TransMedics Aviation flies 21 of those aircraft for time-critical organ transport, an application that reflects the type's operational reliability. Wheels Up Private Jets manages 18, and Executive Flight Services 15. Charter customers can find 28 active empty legs at prices ranging from $8,900 to $19,200 per trip, with hourly rates typically $3,500 to $4,500.
Used Phenom 300s sell for $4.5 million to $7.5 million depending on age and condition. The current Phenom 300E, with updated avionics and a refreshed interior, trades around $11 million pre-owned and lists near $9.5 million to $11.5 million new. Embraer reported the type as the world's best-selling light business jet for twelve consecutive years through 2024, with more than 830 deliveries by the end of that year.
Specs at a glance
Interior & cabin
| Passengers | 8 |
| Cabin length | 17.2 ft |
| Cabin width | 5.1 ft |
| Cabin height | 4.9 ft |
| Baggage volume | 84 cu ft |
| Lavatory | Fully enclosed |
| Galley | No |
| Wi-Fi | Available on most aircraft |
| Cabin floor | Drop aisle |
At 4.9 ft of cabin height, the Phenom 300 is a sit-down jet. Expect to duck moving between seats. A fully enclosed lavatory makes it workable for longer legs. Connectivity varies by tail — most operators in this fleet have at least one Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft, but confirm before booking if you need to work in the air.
Operator floor plans vary. Some Phenom 300 cabins are configured with a divan that drops the headcount by one or two seats; confirm the layout with the operator before booking.
Range & performance
| Range | 2,010 nm |
| Max cruise | 453 ktas |
| Typical cruise | ~385 ktas |
| Service ceiling | 45,000 ft |
2,010 nm covers most US domestic missions. Coast-to-coast with one stop, transcontinental city pairs east of the Rockies non-stop.
Distances are real great-circle nautical miles from the selected hub. Angular positions are spaced for readability, not actual bearings. Range envelope assumes no wind and a full passenger load.
Charter cost per hour
Charter the Phenom 300 at roughly $3,000–$5,000 per flight hour, depending on how far ahead you book. Light jets like this carry 6–8 passengers; the per-seat math improves sharply as you fill the cabin.
Rates are flight-hour pricing. Total cost depends on round-trip vs. one-way, positioning, fuel surcharges, and taxes (~15% on top of base). Run the math on your trip →
History
Embraer designed the Phenom 300 as a clean-sheet aircraft, and the prototype flew for the first time on April 29, 2008. FAA type certification followed on December 3, 2009. The first delivery went to Executive Flight Services on December 29, 2009. The program reached 500 deliveries in March 2019 and 700 by February 2023.
The Phenom 300E, the current production variant, updates the avionics suite, Wi-Fi system, and interior compared to the original 300. Production has remained continuous since the aircraft entered service. By the end of 2024 the broader Phenom 300 series had surpassed 830 total deliveries worldwide.
Ideal For
- Four to eight passengers on domestic routes up to 1,800nm: New York to Miami (1,260nm), Chicago to Dallas (920nm), Denver to New York (1,770nm)
- Single-pilot operations: FAA certification for single-crew flight reduces crew positioning and operating costs for owner-operators
- Time-critical transport where 453-knot cruise and 45,000-foot service ceiling minimize schedule exposure to weather
- Organ transport and medical logistics where dispatch reliability and speed matter more than cabin size
- Charter customers expecting an enclosed lavatory and Wi-Fi at light-jet pricing
- Owner-operators cross-shopping midsize jets who want similar range at a lower acquisition and operating cost
Phenom 300 vs Light Average
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charter a Phenom 300?
Charter rates typically run $3,500 to $4,500 per hour. A two-hour leg from New York to Miami generally totals $8,000 to $10,000 before taxes and positioning fees.
How does the Phenom 300 compare to the Citation CJ3 or CJ4?
The Phenom 300 is faster than the CJ3 (453 ktas vs 416 ktas) and covers more range (2,010nm vs 1,875nm). The CJ4 is comparable in speed (451 ktas) and slightly longer-ranged (2,165nm), with the same eight-seat capacity. The Phenom 300 has the largest US charter fleet of the three: 94 aircraft on Part 135 certificates versus 47 for the CJ3 and 16 for the CJ4.
What is the difference between the Phenom 300 and the Phenom 300E?
The 300E is the current production variant, featuring updated avionics, improved Wi-Fi, and interior revisions. Pre-owned 300Es trade around $11 million on average. Earlier Phenom 300 models sell for $4.5 million to $7.5 million depending on age and condition. New 300E list price is approximately $9.5 million to $11.5 million.
Why do medical transport companies operate so many Phenom 300s?
TransMedics Aviation runs 21 Phenom 300s for organ transport — the largest single fleet among US Part 135 operators of the type. The aircraft’s range (2,010nm), speed (453 ktas), and single-pilot certification make it practical for time-sensitive missions where every hour matters and keeping crew costs manageable is necessary.
Is the Phenom 300 approved for single-pilot operation?
Yes. The Phenom 300 holds FAA certification for single-crew flight. That lowers operating costs compared to similarly sized jets that require two pilots, which is a significant factor for both owner-operators and charter economics.
Available Empty Legs on Phenom 300s
Phenom 300s for Charter (94) Page 2 of 2
Where Phenom 300s actually fly
ADS-B-tracked flights from the trailing 90 days. Numbers cover aircraft on our charter database; private corporate fleets and operators using PIA registration are not in this count. Methodology →
Top routes
Busiest origins
| Naples (KAPF) | 289 |
| Teterboro (KTEB) | 208 |
| Dallas (KDAL) | 194 |
| Atlanta (KATL) | 180 |
| Kansas City (KMKC) | 161 |
| Cleveland (KCLE) | 125 |
| Fort Lauderdale (KFLL) | 119 |
| Detroit (KYIP) | 117 |
| Raleigh/Durham (KRDU) | 108 |
| Houston (KHOU) | 104 |
Most active operators
| Operator | Aircraft | Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Wheels Up Private Jets LLC | 14 | 2,523 |
| Summit Aviation, Inc. | 21 | 2,146 |
| Executive Flight Services, LLC | 14 | 1,591 |
| DOLPHIN ATLANTIC INC | 8 | 726 |
| Elite Jets Charter, LLC | 4 | 410 |
| Executive Fliteways, Inc. | 2 | 196 |
| K AND R AVIATION LLC | 2 | 132 |
| PRESIDENTIAL AVIATION INC | 1 | 122 |
| JET METHODS. Inc. | 2 | 120 |
| Don Davis Aviation, Inc. | 2 | 120 |
Comparable aircraft
Same category, similar mission profile. The framing below summarizes how each one differs from the Phenom 300 on the dimensions that matter most.