I went on board the Embraer Phenom 300E and saw why this private jet is the most flown aircraft in the US

Pete SymeJun 30, 2024, 18:14 IST

An Embraer Phenom 300E on display at EBACE.Pete Syme/Business Insider

The Embraer Phenom 300E is the most flown aircraft in the US.
Plus, it's the best-selling light jet of the past 12 years.

The most flown aircraft in the US is not only a private jet, but a light jet just 51 feet long.

I went inside an Embraer Phenom 300E at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition in Geneva in May, and had a look around.

It was a tight squeeze since the cabin is less than five feet tall, but this makes sense when you know the jet is designed for shorter journeys.

The $10 million plane leads the light-jet sector — being the best seller for the past 12 years. That's largely because it's the fastest and has the furthest range at around 2,300 miles.

Plus, it only requires one pilot to fly, reducing operational costs for customers.

At the end of May, I visited Geneva to attend EBACE — Europe's largest business aviation conference.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The aircraft on display varied hugely, from four-seat turboprops to a fully customized Boeing 737 Max worth over $100 million.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

One of the more understated planes on display was the Embraer Phenom 300E, the newest version of the most flown aircraft in the US.

An Embraer Phenom 300E on display at EBACE.Pete Syme/Business Insider

A light jet powered by Pratt & Whitney PW500 engines, it has a range of around 2,300 miles.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

I had to duck my head to fit inside the cabin, which is 4 feet and 11 inches tall, since it's designed for shorter trips.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The inside was indeed snug, but there was still space for a two-person divan in the galley ...

Pete Syme/Business Insider

... As well as a small area for refreshments.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The cockpit has two seats, but the 300E requires only one pilot. In fact, it's the fastest and longest-range single-pilot jet on the market.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

It also uses fly-by-wire technology, which Embraer initially developed for its military aircraft.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The cabin is configured with six seats.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The four seats in the front have tables that pop out from the side, next to the vase of flowers.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

While the rear seats don't have a table, there's at least a drink holder and good legroom.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

In the aft, there's a compact bathroom, where the toilet can also be used as a seat.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

Some of the larger jets I've seen, like the Gulfstream G700, don't have a window in the bathroom, so that's a nice luxury perk.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The Phenom 300E might be a smaller jet, but for many customers that's all it needs to be. It's easy to see why it's proved popular thanks to its technical specs.

Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

In some ways, that also sums up Embraer's commercial airliners. It's the third main player behind Boeing and Airbus, but doesn't compete directly since its narrowbody jets are smaller.

An Embraer E195 at the 2019 Paris Air Show.ERIC PIERMONT/AFP via Getty Images

In some ways, that also sums up Embraer's commercial airliners. It's the third main player behind Boeing and Airbus, but doesn't compete directly since its narrowbody jets are smaller.

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I went on board the Embraer Phenom 300E and saw why this private jet is the most flown aircraft in the US

At the end of May, I visited Geneva to attend EBACE — Europe's largest business aviation conference.

The aircraft on display varied hugely, from four-seat turboprops to a fully customized Boeing 737 Max worth over $100 million.

One of the more understated planes on display was the Embraer Phenom 300E, the newest version of the most flown aircraft in the US.

A light jet powered by Pratt & Whitney PW500 engines, it has a range of around 2,300 miles.

I had to duck my head to fit inside the cabin, which is 4 feet and 11 inches tall, since it's designed for shorter trips.

The inside was indeed snug, but there was still space for a two-person divan in the galley ...

... As well as a small area for refreshments.

The cockpit has two seats, but the 300E requires only one pilot. In fact, it's the fastest and longest-range single-pilot jet on the market.

It also uses fly-by-wire technology, which Embraer initially developed for its military aircraft.

The cabin is configured with six seats.

The four seats in the front have tables that pop out from the side, next to the vase of flowers.

While the rear seats don't have a table, there's at least a drink holder and good legroom.

In the aft, there's a compact bathroom, where the toilet can also be used as a seat.

Some of the larger jets I've seen, like the Gulfstream G700, don't have a window in the bathroom, so that's a nice luxury perk.

The Phenom 300E might be a smaller jet, but for many customers that's all it needs to be. It's easy to see why it's proved popular thanks to its technical specs.

In some ways, that also sums up Embraer's commercial airliners. It's the third main player behind Boeing and Airbus, but doesn't compete directly since its narrowbody jets are smaller.