Midsize Jet - Legacy Production
Embraer Legacy 450: Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
Embraer
Embraer Legacy 450: Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
The Embraer Legacy 450 (EMB-545), produced from 2015 to 2019, is the historically significant first midsize business jet in its class to feature full fly-by-wire flight controls and a flat-floor stand-up cabin. The predecessor to the current-production Praetor 500, the Legacy 450 established Embraer as a serious midsize jet competitor with technical innovations that competitors took years to match. Powered by twin Honeywell HTF7500E turbofan engines producing 6,540 lbf each (14,200 lbf total thrust), the Legacy 450 delivers 2,900 nautical miles of range, 462 ktas (Mach 0.83) maximum cruise, a 45,000 ft service ceiling, and exceptional 6,000 ft cabin altitude (best in class). The Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion flight deck features full digital flight controls, BMW Designworks-designed cabin, and 99% dispatch reliability. The Legacy 450 was awarded the #1 Pro Pilot Product Support Survey ranking in 2015. Pre-owned market today: $14.15 million average.
For operators seeking a modern fly-by-wire midsize jet with BMW-designed cabin at attainable pre-owned pricing (and with optional STC conversion to Praetor 500 standard), the Legacy 450 represents exceptional value.
Embraer Legacy 450 Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Category | Midsize Jet - Legacy Production |
| Production Status | Discontinued 2019 (succeeded by Praetor 500) |
| Designation | EMB-545 |
| Service Entry | August 2015 |
| FAA Certification | August 11, 2015 |
| First Flight | December 28, 2013 |
| Production Years | 2015 to 2019 |
| Successor | Praetor 500 (2019-Present, convertible via STC) |
| Crew | 2 pilots |
| Passengers (Standard) | 7 to 8 |
| Passengers (Max Certified) | 9 (single configuration); 10 max (EMB-545 type cert) |
| Max Range (NBAA IFR, 4 pax) | 2,900 to 2,904 nm |
| Range (Seats Full) | 2,450 nm |
| Max Cruise Speed | 462 ktas (Mach 0.83) |
| Normal Cruise Speed | 458 ktas (528 mph) |
| Max Operating Altitude | 45,000 ft |
| Time to FL430 (Max Weight) | 22 minutes |
| Engines | 2× Honeywell HTF7500E turbofans |
| Thrust per Engine | 6,540 lbf (13,080 lbf total) |
| Flight Controls | Full Fly-By-Wire (Parker Hannifin) |
| Avionics | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion |
| Cabin Management | Honeywell Ovation Cabin Management |
| APU | Honeywell RE100 |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 35,715 lb (or 33,069 lb per some sources) |
| Empty Weight | 20,790 lb |
| Cabin Length | 22 ft 4 in (22 ft 5 in some sources) |
| Cabin Width | 6 ft 10 in (82 in) |
| Cabin Height | 6 ft (72 in - stand-up flat-floor) |
| Cabin Altitude (Max Cruise) | 6,000 ft (best in class) |
| Cabin Floor | Flat-floor (industry first in midsize) |
| Total Baggage Volume | 150 cu ft (30 internal + 120 external; some sources 40+110) |
| Balanced Field Length | 3,800 to 3,907 ft |
| Landing Distance | 2,090 to 2,650 ft |
| Dispatch Reliability | 99% |
| Original New Price | $16,600,000 |
| Pre-Owned Price (Avg) | $14,150,000 |
| Pre-Owned Range | $10,000,000 to $16,500,000 |
| Variable Operating Cost | $2,790/hr |
History as Embraer's Midsize Innovation Platform
The Legacy 450 was launched alongside the Legacy 500 in April 2008 as the first business jets in the midsize/super-midsize class to feature a flat-floor stand-up cabin and full fly-by-wire flight controls. The smaller Legacy 450 entered service in August 2015 (after the Legacy 500's 2014 service entry).
Platform timeline:
- April 2008: Legacy 450 and 500 launched at EBACE
- November 27, 2012: Legacy 500 first flight
- December 28, 2013: Legacy 450 first flight
- August 12, 2014: Legacy 500 certified
- August 11, 2015: Legacy 450 certified
- August 2015: Legacy 450 service entry
- October 2018: Praetor 500 announced (Legacy 450 upgrade)
- 2019: Legacy 450 production ends (replaced by Praetor 500)
- December 23, 2019: First Praetor 500 delivery
- 2019-2020: Legacy 450 → Praetor 500 STC conversion available
The Legacy 450 production took place at Embraer's Melbourne, Florida facility (opened June 2016), with fuselages built in Botucatu, Brazil, and wings in Évora, Portugal.
Industry-First Innovations in the Midsize Class
The Legacy 450/500 family was the first in the midsize and super-midsize class to feature:
1. Full Fly-By-Wire Flight Controls
The Parker Hannifin fly-by-wire system was the first in midsize jets:
- Reduced pilot workload: Computer-managed flight envelope
- Flight envelope protection: Prevents over-G, over-speed conditions
- Side-stick controls: Modern cockpit design
- Improved handling: Smoother control response
- Reduced maintenance: Fewer mechanical linkages
- "Only fully digital flight controls in its class": Industry distinction
2. Flat-Floor Stand-Up Cabin
The Legacy 450 was the first midsize jet with flat-floor stand-up cabin:
- 6 ft (72 in) stand-up height: Industry leading
- Flat floor: No center aisle drop
- Highest cabin volume in class: At introduction
- 6 ft 10 in wide: Spacious feel
3. 6,000 ft Cabin Altitude
The Legacy 450 delivers the best cabin altitude in its class:
- 6,000 ft cabin altitude at max cruise: Best in midsize class
- Reduced passenger fatigue: Lower altitude exposure
- Better long-mission comfort: Critical for transcontinental flights
4. BMW Designworks Cabin
BMW Group's design subsidiary designed the Legacy 450 cabin:
- Ergonomic cabin design: BMW automotive design sensibility
- Center club seats: Recline into beds for long-haul
- Belted lavatory with vacuum toilet: Standard
- Stone flooring/counters in wet areas: Innovative materials
- Light colors and transparency: Simplicity focus
5. Honeywell Ovation Cabin Management
- HD video streaming: Standard
- Modern cabin entertainment: Standard
- Integrated cabin controls: Standard
Cabin Interior
The Legacy 450 cabin sets the midsize standard:
| Cabin Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Cabin Length | 22 ft 4 in (or 22 ft 5 in) |
| Cabin Width | 6 ft 10 in (82 inches) |
| Cabin Height | 6 ft (72 inches - stand-up flat floor) |
| Cabin Altitude at Max Cruise | 6,000 ft (best in class) |
Seating Configurations
- Standard 7-8 Passenger: Center-club layout
- 9 Maximum Single Configuration: Optional layouts
- 10 Maximum Type Certificate: Theoretical maximum
- Center Club Seats: Recline into beds for long-haul flights
- Belted Lavatory: Vacuum toilet standard
- Forward 2-Place Divan: Optional
- Belted Toilet + Forward Side-Facing Seat: Optional configurations
Cabin Features
- BMW Designworks ergonomic design: Industry distinction
- Center club seats reclining into beds: Long-haul comfort
- 150 cu ft baggage: 30-40 cu ft internal + 110-120 cu ft external
- Heated and pressurized internal baggage: Accessible during flight
- Optional heated external baggage: Available
- Stone flooring/counters: Wet areas
- Light color palette: Modern design
Performance
Speed and Range
| Performance Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Cruise Speed | 462 ktas (Mach 0.83) |
| Normal Cruise Speed | 458 ktas (528 mph) |
| Range (NBAA IFR, 4 pax) | 2,900 to 2,904 nm |
| Range (Seats Full) | 2,450 nm |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 ft |
| Time to FL430 (Max Weight) | 22 minutes |
| Cabin Altitude at Max Cruise | 6,000 ft |
Runway Performance
| Field Performance | Value |
|---|---|
| Balanced Field Length | 3,800 to 3,907 ft |
| Landing Distance | 2,090 to 2,650 ft (exceptional) |
Typical Mission Examples
- New York to Las Vegas (~2,000 nm)
- Los Angeles to White Plains (~2,400 nm)
- Los Angeles to Boston (~2,600 nm)
- Beijing to Bangkok (~2,200 nm)
- Continental Europe to Middle East (~2,800 nm)
Engines
Two Honeywell HTF7500E turbofan engines, each producing 6,540 lbf of thrust (13,080 lbf total). The HTF7500E is derived from the broader Honeywell HTF7000 family with over 7 million flight hours of service experience across multiple aircraft including the Gulfstream G280, Bombardier Challenger 350, and Cessna Citation Longitude.
Avionics: Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion
Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics:
- Large LCD displays: Modern glass cockpit
- Synthetic Vision: Standard
- Auto-throttle: Standard
- Full integration: Crew controls
- Optional enhanced vision: Available
- Optional HUD: Available
- Side-stick fly-by-wire controls: Industry-first in midsize
Operating Costs
| Cost Item | Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Fuel (~270 gph) | $1,620 to $2,160 |
| Engine Reserve | $500 |
| Airframe Maintenance | $500 |
| Misc Variable | $350 |
| Total Variable Cost | ~$2,790/hr (industry standard) |
Annual operating budget at 450 hours: approximately $2.9 million all-in.
Annual budget at 325 hours: approximately $1.95 million.
Average operating cost per AviaCost: $6,571/hr (all-in 450-hour basis).
Pricing
| Year Range | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 2018 to 2019 Legacy 450 (final production) | $14,500,000 to $16,500,000 |
| 2016 to 2017 Legacy 450 | $13,000,000 to $14,500,000 |
| 2015 Legacy 450 (early production) | $10,000,000 to $13,000,000 |
Average pre-owned Legacy 450: $14,150,000.
Original new price: $16,600,000.
STC Conversion to Praetor 500
A unique advantage of the Legacy 450 is the available STC conversion to Praetor 500 standard:
- STC available: Late 2019 to early 2020
- Range improvement: 2,900 nm → 3,340 nm
- Taller and wider winglets: 22 by 50 in installed
- Increased fuel capacity: Major change
- Increased maximum weights: MTOW improvements
- 95% systems commonality: With Legacy 450
- Cost-effective option: Vs buying new Praetor 500
This STC conversion makes the Legacy 450 particularly attractive as a path to Praetor 500 capability at lower acquisition cost.
Mission Profile
Best fit profiles:
- Step-Up From Light Jet to Modern Midsize: Fly-by-wire, BMW cabin, modern systems
- Transcontinental U.S. Operators: 2,900 nm range
- Charter and Corporate Flight Departments: 99% dispatch reliability
- Future Praetor 500 Operators: STC conversion available
- Cabin Comfort Priority: BMW Designworks ergonomics
Less suited if:
- You need 3,340 nm range out of the box (consider Praetor 500 or convert)
- You require single-pilot certification (not certified)
- You want short-field operations under 3,500 ft (consider Phenom 300)
- You need newest avionics (Pro Line Fusion mature but not newest)
Pros and Cons
What the Legacy 450 Does Well
- 2,900 nm range
- 462 ktas (Mach 0.83) cruise
- 45,000 ft service ceiling
- 6,000 ft cabin altitude (best in class)
- Full fly-by-wire flight controls (industry first in midsize)
- BMW Designworks cabin design
- Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion
- 6 ft stand-up flat-floor cabin
- 150 cu ft baggage capacity
- 99% dispatch reliability
- #1 Pro Pilot Product Support Survey (2015)
- STC conversion to Praetor 500 available
- 2,090 ft landing distance (exceptional)
- Honeywell Ovation Cabin Management
Tradeoffs to Understand
- 2,900 nm range less than Praetor 500's 3,340 nm
- Production ended 2019
- Two-pilot operation required
- $14.15M average pre-owned still significant
- HTF7500E good but not the absolute newest engine generation
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Legacy 450 different from the Legacy 500?
The Legacy 450 (EMB-545) is the smaller, shorter-cabin sibling of the Legacy 500 (EMB-550). The 450 has a 22 ft 4 in cabin vs the 500's 27 ft 6 in cabin (5 ft shorter), and 2,900 nm range vs 500's 3,125 nm. Both share 95% systems commonality including the HTF7500E engines, Pro Line Fusion avionics, and fly-by-wire flight controls.
How is the Legacy 450 different from the Praetor 500?
The Praetor 500 (2019) is the updated version of the Legacy 450 with 440+ nm range increase (2,900 nm → 3,340 nm), increased fuel capacity, taller and wider winglets, and increased maximum weights. Legacy 450s can be converted to Praetor 500 standard via STC, making it a cost-effective path to Praetor 500 capability.
How far can a Legacy 450 fly?
The Embraer Legacy 450 has a maximum NBAA IFR range of 2,900 to 2,904 nautical miles with four passengers, with seats-full range of 2,450 nm.
Is the Legacy 450 single-pilot certified?
No. The Legacy 450 requires two pilots.
What is unique about the Legacy 450's flight controls?
The Legacy 450 was the first midsize business jet with full fly-by-wire flight controls and side-stick controls (replacing traditional mechanical control linkages). The Parker Hannifin fly-by-wire system provides flight envelope protection (preventing over-G and over-speed conditions), reduced pilot workload, smoother control response, and reduced maintenance.
What engines power the Legacy 450?
Two Honeywell HTF7500E turbofan engines, each producing 6,540 lbf of thrust.
Can a Legacy 450 be converted to Praetor 500 standard?
Yes. An STC is available (introduced late 2019 / early 2020) that converts existing Legacy 450 aircraft to Praetor 500 standard, adding range, winglet changes, and weight increases. This conversion is a cost-effective alternative to buying a new Praetor 500.
Why is BMW Designworks involved in the Legacy 450 cabin?
Embraer partnered with BMW Group's design subsidiary (BMW Designworks) to design the Legacy 450 cabin, applying BMW's automotive design sensibilities to the business jet interior. The result is an ergonomic cabin with light colors, transparency, simplicity, and innovative materials like stone flooring/counters in wet areas.
The Bottom Line
The Embraer Legacy 450 is the historically significant first midsize business jet with full fly-by-wire flight controls, flat-floor stand-up cabin, and BMW Designworks cabin design. With 2,900 nm range, 6,000 ft cabin altitude (best in class), and 99% dispatch reliability, the Legacy 450 delivers exceptional capability. At current pre-owned pricing averaging $14.15 million, the Legacy 450 offers a path to fly-by-wire midsize jet ownership at substantial savings vs new Praetor 500 pricing ($18.4M+). With the available STC conversion to Praetor 500 standard, owners can also upgrade to Praetor 500 range capability as needed.
Quantum Jets supports the platform across private jet charter, private jet rental, private jet card programs, aircraft purchase, jet purchase, jet sales, aircraft sales, aircraft management, jet management, private jet management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft refurbishment, fractional jet access, aircraft lease, and aircraft leasing structures.
Talk to a Quantum Jets broker for Legacy 450 market intelligence, STC conversion analysis, and pre-buy diligence.
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Book a Embraer Legacy 450 on the Quantum Jets App by AVIA Technologies
The Quantum Jets mobile app, built by AVIA Technologies, is the private jet charter marketplace app for the Embraer Legacy 450 and the rest of the Quantum Jets catalog. The Quantum Jets app is available as an iOS app on the Apple App Store and as an Android app on Google Play. Whether the goal is a one-off jet charter, recurring private jet rental, a private jet card program, or a deeper engagement spanning aircraft purchase, jet purchase, jet sales, aircraft management, jet management, private jet management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft refurbishment, fractional jet access, aircraft lease, aircraft leasing, or aircraft sales, the Quantum Jets app surfaces live Embraer Legacy 450 availability and routes the booking through the Quantum Jets brokerage team.
AVIA Technologies is the technology platform behind the Quantum Jets mobile app. The AVIA Technologies app powers the private jet charter marketplace experience: search the catalog, compare a Embraer Legacy 450 against alternatives in the same tier, pull live pricing, request a charter quote, schedule aircraft maintenance, list a Embraer Legacy 450 for jet sales, manage a fleet under aircraft management or private jet management, and execute a private jet card purchase, all from one private jet app. The Quantum Jets app and the AVIA Technologies app share the same backend so client data, trip history, and aircraft preferences carry across both surfaces.
Download the Quantum Jets app on the Apple App Store (iOS app) or Google Play (Android app), then search the Embraer Legacy 450 to start booking. The Quantum Jets mobile app is the fastest path from research to booking for any private jet, jet charter, private jet rental, or private jet charter marketplace transaction in the Quantum Jets catalog. AVIA Technologies maintains the private jet charter marketplace app on a continuous deployment schedule with new aircraft, new operators, and refined private jet management tooling shipping every release.
Embraer Legacy 450 Services from Quantum Jets
Quantum Jets supports Embraer Legacy 450 operators and prospective owners across the full lifecycle of private jet ownership. Whether the goal is jet charter for a one-off trip, a private jet rental for a busy season, or a private jet charter program tied to a recurring travel pattern, our team builds the right structure around the Embraer Legacy 450 for the mission.
For buyers, our aircraft purchase and jet purchase advisory walks through inspection, valuation, financing, and closing. Jet sales and aircraft sales clients work with our team to position the Embraer Legacy 450 for the strongest possible exit, with market intelligence on every comparable transaction. A private jet card program through Quantum Jets is a lower-commitment way to access Embraer Legacy 450-class lift without a full aircraft purchase, and is structured to credit toward a future jet purchase when the time is right.
Once an aircraft is in hand, aircraft management and jet management at Quantum Jets cover crew, scheduling, regulatory compliance, charter revenue programs, and detailed reporting. Private jet management is structured to keep the Embraer Legacy 450 flying safely and profitably with minimum owner overhead. Aircraft maintenance is coordinated through manufacturer-authorized service centers, and aircraft refurbishment programs (interior, paint, avionics, connectivity) are managed end-to-end so the Embraer Legacy 450 retains residual value over its operating life.
Fractional jet programs are available for Embraer Legacy 450-class travelers who want guaranteed access without sole ownership. Aircraft lease and aircraft leasing arrangements (operating, finance, dry, wet) are structured to match the operator's hours, geography, and balance sheet. The Embraer Legacy 450 fits naturally into all of these structures, and Quantum Jets handles the structuring, documentation, and lifecycle service so the owner can focus on flying.
If you are evaluating a Embraer Legacy 450 for purchase, charter, lease, fractional access, management, refurbishment, or sale, talk to a Quantum Jets broker for a custom market scan and pre-buy diligence.
Related Aircraft Guides:
- Embraer Praetor 500: Direct Successor (Convertible Via STC)
- Embraer Legacy 500: Larger Sibling (Same Family)
- Citation Latitude: Direct Competitor
- Challenger 350: Direct Competitor
Production of the Embraer Legacy 450 ended in 2019. All acquisitions are pre-owned. Embraer provides parts/support. STC conversion to Praetor 500 available. Specifications accurate as of 2026.