Embraer just launched the Phenom 300EV. It’s a major evolution of the world’s best-selling light jet, and for the first time in the Phenom family, Garmin Emergency Autoland comes standard. The announcement on July 23, 2026, makes the Brazilian manufacturer’s flagship light jet the largest business aircraft to offer the life-saving autonomous landing system, with first deliveries expected in late 2028.
The Phenom 300EV builds on 14 years of market dominance. Right now, 500 Phenom 300 and 407 Phenom 300E aircraft are active in fractional ownership fleets and operated by companies including NetJets, Flexjet, and Wheels Up. Embraer’s decision to bundle Garmin Autoland as standard equipment comes six months after a real-world validation that shook the aviation industry: a Beechcraft King Air 200 operated by Buffalo River Aviation activated the system autonomously on December 20, 2025, after a depressurization event near Aspen, Colorado, and landed safely at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport with two occupants aboard.
“For well over a decade, the Phenom 300 series has set the standard by which every light jet is measured,” said Michael Amalfitano, President and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets. “Through purposeful innovations combining enhanced safety technology, amplified performance, and thoughtful cabin refinements, we have introduced meaningful advancements that make flying more intuitive, seamless, and enjoyable.”
Technical Evolution
On paper, the 300EV looks familiar. It keeps the same top speed—Mach 0.80, or roughly 533 mph—and cabin pressurization standards as its predecessor. But the operational gains are real. The aircraft delivers 2,055 nautical miles of range and now carries 3,066 pounds of payload, a 430-pound increase in maximum zero-fuel weight over the 300E. The fuselage stays 51 feet 4 inches long with a 52-foot 2-inch wingspan, but the expanded capacity appeals to operators trying to balance mission range against passenger comfort.
Embraer engineered a new Multi-Purpose Electronic Controller (MEC) that integrates rudder-by-wire functionality alongside other electronic flight systems, reducing crew workload and simplifying maintenance. The company is not adopting full fly-by-wire architecture on the 300EV—Amalfitano cautioned that such an expansion remains “possible but the question is always can we do it without sacrificing performance, weight, price, or other characteristics?”
The G3000 Prodigy Touch avionics suite adds synthetic vision, RNP AR 0.3 capability, and FANS 1/A+ datalink standards. Beyond Autoland, the 300EV debuts class-exclusive Autobrake, a Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS), and Emergency Descent Mode. True Blue Power lithium-ion batteries and LED taxi and landing lights improve reliability and on-time performance.
Cabin and Market Context
Inside, the changes focus on passenger experience. Embraer is installing line-fit Gogo Galileo satellite WiFi, with Starlink available as an aftermarket option via Supplemental Type Certificate. A redesigned refreshment center, odorless vacuum lavatory, and improved climate control round out the upgrades. The Phenom 300EV retains the largest cabin windows in its class and carries a list price of $13.995 million.
Embraer expects FAA, EASA, and Brazilian ANAC certification by year-end 2026, clearing the way for first deliveries in Q4 2028. The timing puts the 300EV head-to-head against Textron Aviation’s third-generation Citation CJ4 and M2 variants, also expected this year or next, and HondaJet’s Echelon transcontinental competitor, slated for 2028. The light jet market itself is expanding rapidly—analysts project the segment will grow from $6.06 billion in 2025 to $9.51 billion by 2030.
The Phenom 300EV’s standard Autoland capability removes a technology barrier that once separated premium turboprops and airliners from light jets. For owner-pilots and families concerned with single-pilot incapacitation, the system offers a safety net that was theoretical just 12 months ago.
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