Light Jet - Legacy Production
Embraer Phenom 300 (Original): Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
Embraer
Embraer Phenom 300 (Original): Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
The original Embraer Phenom 300 (EMB-505), produced from 2009 to 2018, is the foundational airframe that became the world's most-delivered business jet for six consecutive years starting in 2013. Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E turbofans producing 3,360 lbf each, the original Phenom 300 delivers up to 1,971 nautical miles of range, 446 ktas (Mach 0.78) maximum cruise, and a 45,000 ft service ceiling with single-pilot certification. Over 800 Phenom 300 family aircraft have been delivered to date. Pre-owned market: $4.5 to $8 million depending on year.
For light jet buyers wanting transcontinental capability with proven economics, the original Phenom 300 remains one of the strongest pre-owned values in the market.
Phenom 300 (Original) Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Category | Light Jet - Legacy Production |
| Production Status | Discontinued 2018 (replaced by Phenom 300E) |
| First Flight | April 29, 2008 |
| FAA Type Certification | December 3, 2009 |
| First Delivery | December 29, 2009 |
| Crew | 1 pilot (single-pilot certified) |
| Passengers (Standard) | 6 to 8 |
| Passengers (Max) | 10 (with cockpit jumpseat and belted lav) |
| Max Range (NBAA IFR, 4 pax) | 1,971 nm (later production) |
| Range (Seats Full) | 1,676 nm |
| Max Cruise Speed | 446 ktas (Mach 0.78) |
| Long-Range Cruise | 385 ktas |
| Max Operating Altitude | 45,000 ft |
| Engines | 2× Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E |
| Thrust per Engine | 3,360 lbf (6,720 lbf total) |
| Avionics | Garmin G1000-based Prodigy (later G3000 Prodigy Touch from 2018) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 17,968 lbs |
| Cabin Length | 17.2 ft |
| Cabin Width | 5.1 ft (61 in) |
| Cabin Height | 4.92 ft (59 in) |
| Cabin Volume | 324 cubic ft |
| Total Baggage Volume | 84 to 85 cu ft (66-74 external + 10-19 internal) |
| Balanced Field Length | 3,059 ft |
| Landing Distance | 2,837 ft |
| Original Price (2009) | $7,000,000 |
| Pre-Owned Price (2025) | $4,500,000 to $8,000,000 |
History and Market Dominance
The Phenom 300 was Embraer's response to customer demand for a larger sibling to the Phenom 100. While initial design intent was a stretched Phenom 100, Embraer adopted a clean-sheet approach resulting in:
- More powerful Pratt & Whitney PW535E engines
- All-new swept wing with spoilers and winglets
- Elongated cabin for 6-10 occupants
- Higher gross weight and stronger structure
Platform timeline:
- NBAA 2006: Phenom 300 announced
- April 29, 2008: First flight (months ahead of schedule)
- December 3, 2009: FAA type certification (Brazilian ANAC and EASA followed)
- December 29, 2009: First customer delivery
- 2013: Most-delivered business jet (60 units delivered)
- 2013 to 2018: Maintained #1 delivery position six consecutive years
- 2018: Embraer launches Phenom 300E with redesigned interior and Garmin G3000 Prodigy Touch
- March 2019: 500th Phenom 300 delivered
By the end of 2018, original Phenom 300 production had transitioned to the 300E variant.
Exterior Dimensions
| Exterior Dimension | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 51 ft 4 in |
| Wingspan | 52 ft 2 in (with winglets) |
| Height | 16 ft 5 in |
Cabin Interior
The Phenom 300 cabin features Embraer's signature Oval Lite cross-section designed by BMW DesignWorksUSA, delivering segment-leading headroom and a stand-up center aisle uncommon for the light jet class.
Seating Configurations
- Standard Club Six: Two facing pairs plus two forward seats
- Eight-Passenger Standard: Most common configuration
- Up to 10 Occupants: With cockpit jumpseat and belted lavatory
Cabin Features
- Oval Lite cross-section: Stand-up center aisle
- BMW DesignWorksUSA interior: Premium materials
- 11 cabin windows: Generous natural light
- Aft enclosed lavatory: With external service access
- Forward galley/refreshment center: With ice drawer
- Cabin altitude of 6,600 ft at FL450: Lowest in class at time of launch
Baggage Capacity
84 to 85 cubic feet across forward and aft compartments, with 110 lb interior capacity and 573 lb external capacity. Class-leading for a light jet.
Performance
Speed and Range
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Cruise Speed | 446 ktas (Mach 0.78) |
| Long-Range Cruise | 385 ktas |
| Range (NBAA IFR, 4 pax) | 1,971 nm |
| Range (Seats Full) | 1,676 nm |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 ft |
Typical Mission Examples
- New York to Aspen (1,629 nm)
- Houston to Palm Beach (1,025 nm)
- Los Angeles to Chicago (1,512 nm)
- London to Cairo (1,977 nm)
Engines
Two rear-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E turbofans, each producing 3,360 lbf of thrust. The 300E variant (2020 onward) upgraded to PW535E1 with 3,478 lbf.
Avionics
Original 2009-2018 Phenom 300s use the Garmin G1000-based Prodigy flight deck. Later 2018+ aircraft (transitional to 300E) introduced the Garmin G3000-based Prodigy Touch avionics with touchscreen control.
Operating Costs
| Cost Item | Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Fuel (~158 gph) | $1,100 to $1,450 |
| Engine Reserve | $470 |
| Airframe Maintenance | $400 |
| Misc Variable | $200 |
| Total Variable Cost | ~$2,170 to $2,520/hr |
Annual operating budget at 450 hours: $1.6 to $1.9 million all-in.
Charter rates: $4,000 to $5,500 per hour.
Pricing
| Year Range | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 2017 to 2018 Phenom 300 | $7,000,000 to $8,000,000 |
| 2014 to 2016 Phenom 300 | $5,500,000 to $7,000,000 |
| 2010 to 2013 Phenom 300 | $4,500,000 to $5,500,000 |
| 2009 Phenom 300 (initial) | $4,000,000 to $4,500,000 |
Original 300 vs 300E
| Feature | Original (2009-2018) | 300E (2018+, PW535E1 from 2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Engines | PW535E (3,360 lbf) | PW535E (early 300E) / PW535E1 (3,478 lbf, 2020+) |
| Avionics | Prodigy (G1000) | Prodigy Touch (G3000) |
| Range | 1,971 nm | 2,010 nm |
| Max Cruise | Mach 0.78 (446 ktas) | Mach 0.80 (464 ktas) |
| ROAAS | Not equipped | Standard |
Pros and Cons
What the Original 300 Does Well
- Best-selling light jet in history (most-delivered since 2013)
- Single-pilot certified with proven handling
- 84-85 cu ft baggage (class-leading)
- Oval Lite cabin with stand-up aisle
- BMW DesignWorks interior
- Strong residual value
- Massive operating fleet for support and parts
Tradeoffs
- Garmin G1000 dated vs. current G3000 Prodigy Touch
- No ROAAS, autothrottle, or stabilized approach (300E adds these)
- Slower than 300E (Mach 0.78 vs 0.80)
Frequently Asked Questions
How far can the original Phenom 300 fly?
Up to 1,971 nautical miles with four passengers and NBAA IFR reserves.
How many passengers does the Phenom 300 carry?
Standard 6-8 passengers, with maximum 10 occupants including cockpit jumpseat and belted lavatory.
What's the difference between Phenom 300 and 300E?
The 300E (2018) added Garmin G3000-based Prodigy Touch avionics and a redesigned interior. The 300E with PW535E1 engines (2020 onward) added more thrust, Mach 0.80 cruise speed, expanded range to 2,010 nm, ROAAS, predictive windshear, and stabilized approach.
Is the Phenom 300 single-pilot certified?
Yes.
What engines does the original Phenom 300 use?
Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E turbofans, 3,360 lbf each.
The Bottom Line
The original Embraer Phenom 300 is the world's best-selling business jet for good reason: it combines transcontinental range, generous cabin, exceptional baggage capacity, and single-pilot economics in a package that no competitor has matched. At current pre-owned pricing of $4.5 to $8 million, the original 300 delivers nearly all the capability of the current 300E at substantially lower acquisition cost.
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 Phenom 300 market intelligence and acquisition advisory.
Book a Embraer Phenom 300 (Original) 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 Phenom 300 (Original) 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 Phenom 300 (Original) 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 Phenom 300 (Original) against alternatives in the same tier, pull live pricing, request a charter quote, schedule aircraft maintenance, list a Embraer Phenom 300 (Original) 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 Phenom 300 (Original) 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 Phenom 300 (Original) Services from Quantum Jets
Quantum Jets supports Embraer Phenom 300 (Original) 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 Phenom 300 (Original) 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 Phenom 300 (Original) 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 Phenom 300 (Original)-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 Phenom 300 (Original) 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 Phenom 300 (Original) retains residual value over its operating life.
Fractional jet programs are available for Embraer Phenom 300 (Original)-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 Phenom 300 (Original) 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 Phenom 300 (Original) 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:
- Phenom 300E: Current Production Successor
- Citation CJ4 (Original): Direct Competitor
- Citation Latitude: Midsize Step-Up
- Phenom 100 (Original): Smaller VLJ Sibling
Production of the original Phenom 300 ended in 2018. All acquisitions are pre-owned. Specifications accurate as of 2026.