History of Embraer Phenom
Embraer's board approved the development of very light and light jets in April 2005. The company announced the Phenom 100 at the NBAA convention in November 2005. The first flight came on July 26, 2007, and the jet received its type certificate in December 2008. The first aircraft was delivered the same month.
Embraer later stretched the design into the larger Phenom 300. Final assembly moved to Melbourne, Florida, from July 2016. By the third quarter of 2026, 441 Phenom 100s had been built.
The Phenom 100 has gone through several versions:
- Phenom 100: the original model, delivered from December 2008
- Phenom 100E: Garmin G1000 avionics, PW617F-E engines and multifunction spoilers
- Phenom 100EV: first delivered on March 31, 2017, with Garmin G3000 touchscreen avionics and more engine thrust
- Phenom 100EX: updated in 2023 with cabin and avionics improvements, and the current production model
Phenom 100 Jet: An Overview
The Phenom 100 is a small, twin-engine jet for short and medium trips. Embraer designed it around the needs of a single pilot, and it is certified to fly with one or two pilots. In a standard layout it carries four or five passengers. With a passenger seat in the cockpit, an optional side-facing seat and an optional belted lavatory, it can seat up to seven.
Phenom 100 Jet: Dimensions and Specifications
Specifications for the Phenom 100EV, from Embraer's brochure data:
- Length: 42 ft 1 in
- Wingspan: 40 ft 4 in
- Height: 14 ft 3 in
- Engines: two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F1-E turbofans, 1,730 lbf of thrust each
Embraer lists the current Phenom 100EX with an 11 ft cabin and 64 cubic feet of total baggage capacity.
Performance Capabilities of the Phenom 100 Jet
Embraer publishes these figures for the Phenom 100EX:
- High-speed cruise: 406 ktas
- Maximum operating altitude: 41,000 ft
- Cabin altitude at 41,000 ft: 8,000 ft
- Takeoff distance: 3,190 ft
- Landing distance: 2,430 ft
The Phenom 100EV's thrust increase cut the time to climb to 41,000 ft from 33 minutes to 25 minutes, compared with the earlier model.
How does the Phenom 100 compare to other very light jets?
Very light jets trade cabin size for lower operating costs and access to shorter runways. The Phenom 100 offers seating for up to seven and a range of more than 1,100 nautical miles. When you compare aircraft, look at the routes you fly most, the number of passengers and the baggage you carry.
Phenom 100 Jet: Range and Payload Capacity
The Phenom 100EX has a range of 1,178 nautical miles. Embraer measures that with four occupants at 200 lb each, long-range cruise and NBAA IFR reserves with a 100 nm alternate. Maximum payload is 1,775 lb, and payload with full fuel is 646 lb.
In practice, more passengers and bags mean less fuel and shorter range. Confirm any nonstop route with the operator before you plan around it.
Using the Phenom 100 for time-sensitive charter and executive travel
A very light jet is a good fit for short business trips between regional airports, where a small group wants to fly out and back in a day. In New York, the jet is only part of the journey. BLADE offers scheduled by-the-seat helicopter flights between Manhattan and JFK, and between Manhattan and Newark. Flights take about 5 minutes, from $195 per seat.
Safety Features and Technology
The Phenom 100EX uses the Garmin G3000 Prodigy Touch flight deck. Embraer says it is the first jet in its class to offer a Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS).
Ownership Costs and Financial Benefits
When the Phenom 100EV launched, its list price was $4.495 million. Prices for pre-owned aircraft depend on the model year, the variant, the hours flown and the maintenance history. Operating costs depend on how often you fly, fuel prices, crew and the maintenance program, so ask for current figures before you buy.
Phenom 100 Jet: Perfect for Business Use
For companies, the Phenom 100 is a way to move a small team on regional routes on its own schedule. The cabin has ergonomic seating and flush-to-the-wall tables that Embraer designed for working in flight.
Phenom 100 Jet: Ideal for Personal Use
For private owners, the jet's single-pilot design and short takeoff distance make it practical for weekend trips to smaller airports. The Phenom 100 has also been used for training: Emirates uses five Phenom 100EVs for cadet pilot training.
Chartering a Phenom 100
If you want to fly on a very light jet without owning one, BLADE arranges private charters of jets through licensed operators. All BLADE flights in the United States are operated by FAA-licensed carriers. Tell BLADE your route, date and group size, and compare the aircraft that are available for your trip.
FAQs about What Is An Phenom 100 Jet?
What is a Phenom 100 jet?
It is a twin-engine very light business jet built by Embraer, designed to be flown by a single pilot and seating up to seven passengers.
When was the Phenom 100 first produced?
It first flew in July 2007. It received its type certificate in December 2008, and the first aircraft was delivered the same month.
What are the model years of the Phenom 100?
The family includes the original Phenom 100, the Phenom 100E, the Phenom 100EV (first delivered in 2017) and the Phenom 100EX (updated in 2023), which is the current production model.
What is the range of a Phenom 100 jet?
The Phenom 100EX has a range of 1,178 nautical miles with four occupants and NBAA IFR reserves.
What are some unique features of the Phenom 100?
The Garmin G3000 Prodigy Touch flight deck, single-pilot certification and, on the 100EX, a Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System.