Meet the Legacy 500, the New Kid on the Super Midsize Block
Air Charter Advisors offers a variety of private jet charter and aircraft ownership services on the Legacy 500, a super midsize executive jet from Embraer.
The Legacy 500 is able to fly non-stop across the U.S. in both directions, and it’s the first midsize business jet with full fly-by-wire digital flight controls, offering a proven platform with room for improved performance, passenger room, and comfort.
Featuring the widest-in-class cabin, a BMW-designed interior, and outstanding performance both on the runway and in the sky, the Legacy 500 presents strong competition to an established stable of workhorses in the midsize and super-mid segment. And it’s up to the challenge, with performance, comfort and reliability ideal for domestic flights carrying up to 12 passengers, or small groups flying from NY to London, Paris, and Madrid.
Air Charter Advisors offers executive and luxury travelers access to Legacy 500 private jets located around the world. Call us at 888-987-JETS for more information on Embraer Legacy 500 jet charter, jet cards, fractional programs, and ownership.
Key Features
- Outstanding midsize jet performance
- Widest in-class cabin with seating for 8 to 12
- BMW-designed, flat floor interior
- 12 large windows flood the cabin with natural light
- 8 fully adjustable chairs convert into 4 beds
Legacy 500 Photo Gallery
Legacy 500 Pricing & Performance
The hourly rate to charter a Legacy 500 starts around $4,500* per hour. Rates shown are examples only, influenced by availability, scheduling, routing, passenger and luggage amounts, and more. For accurate, to the dollar pricing, please call or request a quote.
- Year of Make: 2012 —
- Manufacturer: Embraer
- Class: Super Midsize Jet
- Hourly Charter Rate: $5,150 — $6,850 *
- MSRP: $18,500,000
General
- Crew: 2
- Length: 68 ft 1 in
- Height: 21 ft 2 in
- Wingspan: 66 ft 5 in
- Max Payload: 2,800 lbs (1,270 kg)
- Max Takeoff Weight: 38,360 lbs (17,400 kg)
Performance
- Maximum Speed: 637 mph (0.83 mach)
- Cruise Speed: 536 mph (863 km/h; 466 kts)
- Range: 3,125 nmi
- Service Ceiling: 45,000 ft
- Rate of Climb: 2,000 ft/min
- Runway: 4,084 ft (takeoff); 2,122 ft(landing)
- Engines: 2x Honeywell HTF7500E with 7,036 lbf of thrust each
Interior Dimensions
- Seats: 8-10
- Cabin Height: 6 ft
- Cabin Width: 6 ft 10 in
- Cabin Length: 26 ft 8 in
- Cabin Volume: 973 cu ft
- Baggage Capacity: 155 cu ft
- Bathroom: Private Lavatory
Aircraft Details
In 2007, Embraer Aerospace began development on the Legacy 500 with the goal of creating the first fully digital, full fly-by-wire midsize jet in business aviation. Embraer aimed to achieve this by introducing advanced technologies, improved performance, more efficiency, and increased reliability to a market dominated by Cessna, Hawker, Bombardier, and Gulfstream.
The Legacy 500 (EMB-550) is able to carry 4 passengers over 3,125 nautical miles and 8 passengers over 2,948 nautical miles, with flexible cabin configurations that allow for up to 12 passengers. The Legacy 500 is able to fly non-stop coast-to-coast at Mach 0.80 across the United States, even against 99% of annual winds, and still land with NBAA IFR fuel reserves.
It’s often compared to the Citation Latitude, Gulfstream G150 and Learjet 60, however, given its outstanding performance, range, and cabin size, the Legacy 500’s closest competition is really the Challenger 300/350 and Gulfstream G280. After all, this aircraft wasn’t designed to merely compete with midsize jets. It’s price point, together with its superior design and performance, make it an attractive option within the super-midsize segment.
The results have shown, too — Bombardier dropped the price of its Challenger 300/350 to fall in line with the Legacy’s $20 million price ($7 million cheaper). Meanwhile, Gulfstream remains firm on its G280 pricetag ($24 million). This may be in part to the Legacy 500 instantly losing nearly a quarter of its base value due to the sheer volume of super-midsize jets on the pre-owned market.
Interior
At 6′ tall, 6’10” wide, and 26’8″ long, the Legacy 500 business jet offers one of the widest cabins the midsize class and a flat floor to maximize headroom. The standard cabin layout accommodates 8 passengers in plush seats, with optional configurations including aft 3-place divan on both sides and a belted toilet and forward side-facing seat to carry up to 12 passengers.
The ergonomic seats fully recline and swivel, and lay flat to combine into 4 beds. 12 optimally placed windows allow light to enter the cabin at just the right angle. In addition to outstanding comfort, the cabin features a fully-equipped galley, the Honeywell Ovation Select Cabin Management System for ease of connectivity and control over in-flight entertainment, and luxurious details throughout it’s BMW designed interior.
The Legacy 500 features an abundance of storage, with 40 cubic feet of pressurized and heated internal storage accessible during your private flight, and an additional 110 cubic feet of storage in the aircraft’s main exterior compartment, ideal for storing your golf clubs, ski equipment, and other gear. An option for heat is available in the exterior storage compartment.
Performance
Passengers can enjoy true coast-to-coast range on the Legacy 500, able to fly non-stop across the United States in all directions. Powered by twin Honeywell HTF7500E engines each producing 7,036 lbs of thrust, the aircraft gets up to 5,000 feet and 329 mph in just over a minute, and it takes merely 22 minutes to reach its initial cruise altitude.
After climbing to its maximum altitude of 45,000 feet, it’s able to reach speeds of up to 631 mph during short distance flights. The aerodynamically tuned 27-degree wing sweep allows for an average long-range cruise speed of 501 mph, while reaching mach 0.80 (613 mph) lowers flight range by 3%. The aircraft’s fly-by-wire control, unique in its class, enhances the safety and comfort of your flight.
Ownership
Embraer has set its sights on grabbing a piece of the midsize and super midsize business jet market, and the Legacy 500 makes a strong case to become a formidable slice of the pie. The aircraft’s superior cabin comfort and flexible layout make it an appealing option for executive groups who charter or frequently operate domestic flights.
Advanced flight deck technologies and state-of-the-art avionics offer superior capabilities and functionality. Full fly-by-wire flight controls are unique in its class; large displays and cleaner cockpit design with sidesticks help keep pilots comfortable and focused; it’s capable of paperless operations to expedite travel; it’s also ready for upcoming CNS/ATM requirements in the near future.
In a September 2017 article from AviationWeek.com, David Cox, flight department manager for MGM Resorts, stated
“We went through a comprehensive RFP [request for proposal] process to arrive at the best value proposition. Reliability, performance, and cost ultimately drove us back to Embraer. The Legacy 500 is 12 to 14 times more reliable than any [purpose-built business aircraft] we’ve ever operated. It’s on par with a BBJ.”
Today, nearly 70 percent of Legacy 500’s are based in the US, with most owned by private firms and high-net-worth individuals. The number of 500’s operated on behalf of owners by management companies continues to increase, and fractional programs are swiping them up left and right as more hit the market.
Air Charter Advisors assists with acquisitions and sales of Legacy 500 midsize jets, and we offer FAR Part 91 and FAR Part 135 and aircraft management and charter marketing services to offset the costs and maximize your ownership. We also offer access to 25, 50, and 100 jet cards and fractional ownership programs for those looking for more cost-effective access to private jet travel without chartering on-demand.
Purchase an Embraer Legacy 500
Air Charter Advisors offers guidance throughout the entire process for individuals & flight departments interested in the sales & acquisition of new or pre-owned Embraer Legacy 500 business jet.
The cost of ownership for the Legacy 500 with a yearly schedule of 200 flight hours carries an annual budget of around $1.45 million, including fixed costs of around $850k-$875k, and operating/variable costs of around $600-650k. The Legacy 500’s operating cost comes out to around $3,000-$3,200 an hour.
The Legacy 500’s price of $20 million USD allows it to compete with midsize jets such as the $17.9 million Citation Sovereign+ and the $23.4 million Citation X+, while also competing favorably against super midsize jets such as the $24 million Gulfstream G280 and the $26 million Bombardier Challenger 350.
Pre-owned models are typically listed started at around $14 million. Our advisors offer access to used aircraft both on and off market, and offer charter sales and management services for private jet owners. Call or email us for more information to buy an Embraer Legacy 500.
Popular Routes
The Legacy 500 is an excellent choice for small executive groups making cross country trips, able to fly non-stop between NY, LA, Miami, Seattle, and everywhere in between. Transatlantic flights from New York are also available, placing destinations such as Paris, London, Dublin, Edinburgh, and Madrid within reach.
Comparable Aircraft
Legacy 500 Services | Charter, Sales, and Management
Our private jet charter brokers offer a variety of services on the Embraer Legacy 500 business jet, from bespoke jet charter, last minute aircraft rentals and jet card programs, to fractional ownership, aircraft acquisitions, and private management & marketing services. Call ACA at 888-987-JETS (5387) or submit a request via our contact form for more information.
* Average hourly rates vary depending on make, model and year; amenities, routing and scheduling/availability, and do not include fuel, taxes, crew charges, ramp, hangar, FBO, overnights, daily minimums, taxes, international fees, catering, ground transport, or de-icing. If you would like an accurate quote, please call or email. Pictures are for example only. The age, color, interior layout, hourly rates, specifications, dimensions may all vary between aircraft. All images copyrighted and provided courtesy of Embraer Aerospace unless noted otherwise.