Private Jet Card Comparisons - Know Before You Buy
Compare over 250 private jet card membership programs by 65 variables in 1 place
Gulfstream Aerospace, Textron Aviation, and Embraer Executive Jets each topped two categories in the just-released 11th annual survey of Business Jet Traveler readers.
Flexjet’s European arm has officially launched its fractional ownership program there. This week it is taking delivery of its first Praetor 600 super-midsize private jet. It is part of a US $1.4 billion order for Embraer Executive Jets that was announced in October 2019.
Brazilian manufacturer Embraer Executive Jets has made its mark in business aviation by creating a great cabin experience for owners and passengers. The Embraer Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 perfect great examples. The Legacy 450 is a midsize private jet, while the Legacy 500 fits into the super-midsize category. Both have flat floors, stand-up cabins, six feet high.
The next generation Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 build on that experience. The cabin designs are slick and remind more of a superyacht or beautiful home than a business jet.
Both varieties give you that large jet feeling.
Some reviews compare the Legacy 450 to the Cessna Citation Latitude when it comes to cabin experience. The key difference between the Legacy 450/Praetor 500 and Legacy 500/Praetor 600 is the latter has a slightly longer cabin and range.
Flexjet and AirSprint in Canada have the Legacy 450 in their fractional fleet portfolios. Flexjet also features the Legacy 500 and is the launch fleet operator for the enhanced Praetor 500 and 600. The Cleveland, Ohio-based fractional fleet operator has a $1.3 billion order with Embraer, including both types.
The only real downside is minimal type-specific jet card availability, although all the Legacys can bed had via memberships. However, if you really want Legacy or Praetor types, the most prevalent options are to buy into fractional ownership or lease programs or to charter on-demand.
Controller magazine lists only three Legacy 500s and one Legacy 450 for sale. The asking price for one of the Legacy 500’s is $11.75 million. The list price for a new Praetor 500 is $18.4 million, while the Praetor 600 starts at $21 million.
| Aircraft | Praetor 600 | Legacy 500 | Praetor 500 | Legacy 450 |
| Cabin Size | Super Midsize | Super Midsize | Midsize | Midsize |
| Fractional Ownership or Lease | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fleet Size (Oct. 2020) | 23 | 66 | 3 | 40 |
| Start Production | 2019 | 2014 | 2020 | 2015 |
| End Protection | Ongoing | 2019 | Ongoing | 2019 |
| Jet Card | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| On-Demand Charter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cabin Height | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Cabin Width | 6.83 | 6.83 | 6.83 | 6.83 |
| Cabin Length | 27.5 | 27.5 | 24.0 | 24.0 |
| Seats | 8 to 10 | 8 to 10 | 6 to 8 | 6 to 8 |
| Range* | 4,018 nm | 3,167 nm | 3,340 nm | 3,167 nm |
Compare over 150 private jet models in the Private Jet Performance Guide.
Glory days, well, they’ll pass you by
Glory days, in the wink of a young girl’s eye
– Bruce Springstein
No doubt, many of those involved in manufacturing private jets recall fondly 2008. That’s when the industry delivered 1,317 new business jets. It was an increase from 2007’s then-record mark of 1,137 new private jets delivered. That busted the 2006 numbers, also a then-record of 887 units delivered.
With the Great Recession, deliveries of new private jets dropped to 874 units in 2009, even more to 767 in 2010, then 696 in 2011, before bottoming out in 2012 at 672 aircraft.