Embraer Legacy 600

The Embraer Legacy 600 is the business version of the ERJ-135 regional jet and flies in charter as a heavy jet. The airliner fuselage gives a passenger cabin about 12.90 m long, 1.83 m high and 2.10 m wide, usually split into three zones for 13 people. Behind the cabin is an 8.1 m³ baggage compartment that passengers can reach during the flight.

The type makes sense for a large group on legs of two to six hours: London - Mykonos, Geneva - Marrakesh, Larnaca - Doha or Milan - Dubai. It is slower than newer heavy jets and needs a long runway, so short airports in the Alps and on the Riviera do not always work.

Three zones: seats, beds and toilets

The Legacy 600 cabin is long but fairly narrow, because it comes from a regional airliner. Embraer divided it into three zones with bulkheads or doors, and the layout depends on the aircraft. Often the front zone has a club group of four, the middle one four more seats around a conference table, and the rear zone two single chairs facing a divan.

At 1.83 m most adults walk upright, but the 2.10 m width is less than the 2.49 m of a Challenger 605. Wi-Fi depends on the aircraft: some have a satellite connection, others only a satellite phone or nothing at all.

8.1 m³ for a whole group

On the Legacy 600 the hold sits at the rear of the fuselage, inside the pressurised and heated part, and you walk to it through the washroom. That is more space than many long-range jets have. With 13 passengers each can bring a large suitcase, with room left for skis, golf bags or a pushchair.

On the longest legs weight, not volume, is the limit: with full tanks and every seat taken the operator may ask to reduce baggage or plan a fuel stop. On European routes this rarely happens.

Legacy 600 range, speed and runways

Two Rolls-Royce AE 3007 engines power the Legacy 600. Embraer quotes the range at economy cruise with NBAA IFR reserves. From most European hubs that covers every European route, Morocco, the Canary Islands, Cyprus and, with a lighter load, the Gulf; New York needs a fuel stop.

At the maximum take-off weight of 22,500 kg the Legacy 600 needs 1,711 m to take off and 818 m to land. That rules out or limits some airports:

Flying a large cabin in Europe

Flights from European hubs

Thirty-two one-way Legacy 600 flights from all thirteen hubs, from Geneva - Olbia (1:18 h) to Paris - Doha (6:34 h), all planned without a stop. Short legs are in the table for comparison, but the cabin pays off from about two hours.

Prices are for the whole aircraft one way with crew, before airport fees and passenger taxes. Flight times use the great-circle distance plus taxi, climb and approach at the type's planning speed.

Up to two hours: big groups to the coast and the mountains

Two to four hours: islands, Morocco and the eastern Mediterranean

More than four hours: Canary Islands, Cyprus and the Gulf

• Tenerife from London, Zurich or Frankfurt is flown direct with most seats taken; in a winter headwind the operator checks the fuel plan first.
• Dubai from Milan (6:12 h) and Doha from Paris (6:34 h) are near the limit with a full cabin, so a fuel stop in Cyprus or Egypt may be planned.
• From London or Amsterdam Dubai normally needs a stop; the Legacy 650 or a long-range jet flies it direct.
• Cannes, Lugano and Saint-Tropez are not in the table: the runways are too short for a full jet of this size.

Select the route and the number of passengers, and the calculator shows an indicative price for the Legacy 600 or another heavy jet.

Legacy 600 charter price

The Legacy 600 rate starts at EUR 8,300 per flight hour for the whole aircraft, with two pilots and fuel. A short leg costs more than rate times flight time: Paris - Nice takes 1:21 h and costs from EUR 19,500, because positioning, the minimum charge and handling weigh the same on a short flight.

On longer legs these fixed costs matter less: Geneva - Marrakesh (2:58 h) from EUR 33,000 and London Farnborough - Tenerife (4:02 h) from EUR 42,000. The six-hour rows to the Gulf are priced on the long-haul rate, which allows for crew rest and the aircraft's return. With 13 passengers on board the price per person falls to a fraction of the total.

Geneva - Marrakesh for the whole aircraft and per passenger, before taxes and airport fees:

How to pay less

• Ask for the Legacy 600 and Legacy 650 together: the same cabin, and more aircraft near your departure
• Return the same day when the crew's duty time allows, saving the hotel and a second positioning
• Keep the departure time open, so the flight can link to the aircraft's previous trip
• For eight people or fewer, compare with a midsize jet such as the Legacy 500, which costs less per hour

An older aircraft with the original interior is often offered at a lower rate than one with a refreshed cabin.

Empty Legs on the Legacy 600

The Legacy 600 flies with several European operators, so Empty Legs on this family appear fairly regularly, mostly between London, Geneva, Nice, Italy and the eastern Mediterranean. They can cost 30-60% less than a normal charter.

Other large cabins to compare

Clients who consider the Legacy 600 usually compare it with the Legacy 650, the Challenger 605, the Challenger 850 and the smaller, newer Legacy 500.

How to book

Write in the request:

• route, date and time, and if the group returns the same day
• number of passengers and pieces of baggage, with skis, golf bags, instruments or a dog
• beds, a flight attendant, hot meals or Wi-Fi, as they depend on the aircraft

We ask operators holding an AOC for free Legacy 600 aircraft and send a quote with the year of build, layout, cabin photos and the price including positioning. The operator needs each passenger's passport or ID even within Schengen, and EU citizens flying to the UK need an ETA.

Embraer Legacy 600: questions and answers

• • How much does a Legacy 600 flight cost?

  • From EUR 8,300 per flight hour. In the table Milan Linate - London Farnborough costs from EUR 22,000, Paris - Athens from EUR 34,000 and Madrid - Larnaca from EUR 45,000 for the whole aircraft one way, before airport fees and passenger taxes.

• • What is included in the price?

  • The aircraft, two pilots and fuel. Airport and handling fees, passenger taxes, catering, a flight attendant if not offered, winter de-icing and crew costs for a return days later are added in the quote.

• • What does it cost per person with a full cabin?

  • The price is for the aircraft. Geneva - Marrakesh from EUR 33,000 shared by 13 passengers comes to about EUR 2,500 each, before taxes and fees.

• • How can I fly the Legacy 600 for less?

  • Ask for the Legacy 650 at the same time, keep the departure time flexible, return the same day where possible and accept an aircraft with an older interior. Empty Legs give the largest saving.

• • Are there Empty Legs on the Legacy 600?

  • Fairly regularly, as several European operators fly it, mostly between London, Geneva, Nice, Italy and the eastern Mediterranean. They can be 30-60% cheaper, but the date and route are fixed.

• • How many passengers fit?

  • A typical Legacy 600 has 13 seats in three zones, some 14. Up to three hours, 13 people travel comfortably; for a night flight eight to ten is better, so that three can sleep lying down.

• • Is there a proper toilet on board?

  • Yes, a separate washroom at the rear, and some aircraft have a second one at the front, which helps on a long flight with a full cabin.

• • How far can it fly without a stop?

  • Embraer quotes 6,297 km with four passengers and about 5,650 km with 13. That covers London - Tenerife and Larnaca - Doha; New York needs a fuel stop.

• • Can we bring skis, bikes and golf bags?

  • Yes, the 8.1 m³ hold is one of the strengths of the jet and is reachable in flight. Give the number and size of the items, and the operator confirms before booking.

• • Can the Legacy 600 land at Cannes or Courchevel?

  • Cannes-Mandelieu only with reduced weight and if the operator agrees, as the runway is 1,539 m and a take-off at full weight needs 1,711 m; Nice is usually easier. Courchevel no: the nearest airports are Chambéry and Geneva.