undefined

The Delivery Record

The Embraer Phenom 300 has been the most delivered light jet in the world for eleven consecutive years, from 2013 through 2024. That is not a marketing claim. It is an FAA and GAMA delivery count that no other light jet manufacturer has matched in the modern era.

As of Q1 2026, Embraer has delivered approximately 720 Phenom 300 and 300E aircraft worldwide. Of those, approximately 530 are registered in the United States under FAA N-numbers. The remainder are distributed across Brazil, Europe, Australia, Canada, and Mexico, with smaller concentrations in the Middle East and Asia.

The original Phenom 300 entered service in 2009. The Phenom 300E (Enhanced) replaced it in 2018 with increased cruise speed (Mach 0.80), a redesigned cabin, and Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS). Production shifted entirely to the 300E; no original 300s have been manufactured since 2017.

U.S. Registry Distribution

The FAA Aircraft Registry tells the domestic story. Of the approximately 530 U.S.-registered Phenom 300/300Es, the distribution by state of registration clusters around five markets:

Florida leads with approximately 85 aircraft, reflecting the state's combination of favorable tax treatment, year-round flying weather, and proximity to Caribbean and Latin American destinations. Texas follows with approximately 65, driven by corporate flight departments in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. California holds approximately 50, concentrated in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Georgia and New Jersey each have approximately 30 to 35.

The concentration in these states is not coincidental. They represent the five largest business aviation markets by flight hours, and they share a common trait: large metro areas with multiple general aviation airports that can accommodate the Phenom 300's 3,200-foot takeoff distance.

Owner Profiles: Who Flies the Phenom 300

The FAA registry reveals three distinct owner profiles for the Phenom 300.

The largest group by count is corporate flight departments and LLCs. Approximately 60% of U.S.-registered Phenom 300s are owned by LLCs or corporations. These are typically mid-market companies with annual revenue between $50 million and $500 million, entities large enough to justify aircraft ownership but not large enough for a Gulfstream or Global. The Phenom 300 fits their mission: 800 to 1,800 nm trips, two to five passengers, 200 to 400 hours per year.

The second group is Part 135 charter operators, accounting for approximately 25% of the fleet. The Phenom 300 is the single most common aircraft type added to new Part 135 certificates since 2018. Its combination of operating cost, passenger appeal, and reliability makes it the default choice for operators entering the charter market or expanding existing fleets.

The third group is individual owner-pilots, approximately 15% of the fleet. The Phenom 300 is single-pilot certified, which allows qualified individuals to operate the aircraft without a second pilot. This owner-pilot segment is unique to light jets and represents a buyer profile that does not exist for midsize or heavy aircraft.

Production Trends by Year

Embraer's delivery data reveals the Phenom 300's production trajectory:

2009-2012 saw initial ramp-up, with deliveries climbing from 26 in 2009 to 60 in 2012. The aircraft found market fit quickly, displacing the Hawker 400XP and Citation CJ3 as the light jet of choice.

2013-2017 was the sustained peak for the original 300. Embraer delivered 55 to 65 aircraft annually, averaging one per week. Total deliveries during this period exceeded 300 aircraft.

2018-2019 marked the transition to the 300E. Deliveries dipped slightly during the certification overlap, with 56 in 2018 and 52 in 2019 as production converted to the enhanced variant.

2020 saw the pandemic dip: 36 deliveries. But 2021 and 2022 produced the strongest years in the program's history, with 64 and 68 deliveries respectively, driven by the post-pandemic surge in private aviation demand.

2023-2025 normalized at approximately 55 to 60 deliveries per year. The current backlog is approximately 18 to 24 months, down from the 30+ month pandemic-era peak but still reflecting sustained demand.

The Resale Market Intelligence

The Phenom 300 resale market is the most liquid in the light jet segment. On any given day, 15 to 25 Phenom 300/300Es are listed for sale in the United States. Average days-on-market for a properly priced Phenom 300 is 90 to 120 days, compared to 150+ days for comparable models.

Pricing as of Q2 2026:

A 2013 Phenom 300 with 3,000 hours and original interior sells for $5.5 to $6.5 million. A 2018 Phenom 300E with 1,500 hours commands $9.0 to $10.5 million. A 2022 300E with under 500 hours lists at $12.5 to $14.0 million. New Phenom 300Es deliver at $10.8 million (2026 list price), meaning late-model used aircraft trade at or above new pricing in some configurations.

Depreciation on the Phenom 300 has been among the most favorable in business aviation. Five-year-old aircraft retain approximately 75 to 80% of their original value, compared to 60 to 70% for the Citation CJ4 and 65 to 75% for the Pilatus PC-24 over the same period.

What the Fleet Data Tells Us About 2027

Three trends are visible in the Phenom 300 fleet data.

First, the charter fleet is still growing. New Part 135 certificates listing the Phenom 300 continue to be issued at a rate of approximately 8 to 12 per year. The aircraft has become the standard equipment for new-entrant charter operators, particularly in the Southeast and Texas.

Second, international growth is accelerating. European registrations (EASA) have grown from approximately 40 aircraft in 2018 to over 90 in 2026. The Australian market added 15 aircraft in two years. Embraer's decision to locate a service center at Le Bourget (Paris) in 2023 directly correlates with European fleet expansion.

Third, the original Phenom 300s (2009-2017 production) are entering the refurbishment cycle. Aircraft with 3,000 to 5,000 hours are receiving interior refreshes, avionics upgrades, and paint at a rate that sustains the used market. These refurbished originals compete with new CJ3+ and Citation M2 Gen2 aircraft at lower acquisition cost.