Embraer’s Phenom 300 Is Now The Most Popular Private Jet In The USA

Embraer’s Phenom 300 has become the most used private jet in the United States in the last year. This is relatively groundbreaking, as the aircraft has now broken the 15-year record of the Cessna Citation Excel family. Embraer’s mid-size aircraft has been increasingly popular with those who can afford it, with the use of private jets in the United States rising. The country has seen over 23% increase in private jet flights since the start of the global pandemic.

The mid-sized Phenom 300 has recorded more than 360,000 flights in the US since August last year. Its versatility and economic viability has made it a popular choice in the business jet community.

Embraer Phenom 300

The Embraer Phenom 300 is a light twin-engine aircraft with an operating range of 2,010 NM (2,313 miles, 3,723 km). Two Pratt & Whitney PW535E rear-mounted engines provide a combined thrust of approximately 7,000 lbf (32 kN). The aircraft has a maximum speed of 464 knots (535 mph, 860 km/h) and can cruise at an altitude of up to 45,000 ft (13,700 m).

Photo: Embraer

The Embraer Phenom 300 has been the company’s best-selling light jet for over a decade. According to the company,

“The fastest and longest-ranged single-pilot business jet in production is capable of speeds up to Mach 0.80, features a quieter cabin than ever before, and is the first and only business aircraft to have a runway overrun awareness and alerting system (ROAAS), which provides a warning advisory if the runway approach is too steep or too fast.”

Why did Phenom 300 get so popular?

As mentioned earlier, Cessna’s Citation Excel has held the popularity award for over a decade. Embraer’s Phenom 300 has a significant advantage over its competitors due to its smaller size and operating economics. The jet burns significantly less fuel thanks to the use of lightweight composite materials in its structure.

The Phenom 300 operates at a lower Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) while still seating up to nine passengers in the cabin. According to the Brazilian manufacturer,

“With its next-generation avionics, generous cabin space, revolutionary interior, industry-exclusive upper technology panel, and the best-in-class cabin altitude that made it so popular, plus enhancements that reduce cabin noise, the most popular light jet sets the standard for all others.”

Embraer’s Phenom 300, due to its lower acquisition cost compared to the competition, has attracted charter and fractional owners in recent times. Fractional ownership of private jets is increasingly attractive to individuals who can share the rights to an aircraft and get a specific yearly allotment of flying hours.

While overseeing fractional contracts, some jet management companies allow their fractional clients to use from a pool of aircraft in their fleet. Apart from the cost of capital, all owners share the overhead and operating expenses, such as insurance and maintenance.

The Phenom 300 also became popular with on-demand charter service providers. Companies that rent out aircraft by the hour always seek to invest in economical and reliable aircraft. All in all, With its extraordinary economics, the Phenom 300 became the most popular private jet in the US in the last year.

What are your thoughts on the popularity of Embraer’s Phenom 300 in the US? Tell us in the comments section.

Source: Robb Report