The Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 are popular midsize private jets from Embraer. They both rate among the longest range aircraft in their size category, but there are differences between them. The Praetor 600 is a larger jet, with useful extra range - especially for transatlantic flying.

Developing the Praetor jet from the Legacy

Embraer launched the Legacy 450/500 series of private jets in 2008. These were designed to be mid-size jets, positioned between the smaller Embraer Phenom 300 aircraft and the Legacy 600. They were to offer a longer range and a full-height cabin (the first in this size category).

The Legacy 500 (the largest model) first flew in November 2012, with the Legacy 450 following just over a year later. The Legacy 450 offers a capacity of up to nine passengers, with a range of 2,900 nautical miles (5,370 kilometers). The Legacy 500 takes the capacity up to 12, and the range up to 3,125 nautical miles (5,790 kilometers).

Photo: Adrian Pingstone via Wikimedia

The Praetor series was launched in 2018 as an improvement on the Legacy 450 and 500. It kept the same basic wing and fuel design and Honeywell engines, but added an improved and larger winglet design, additional fuel capacity, and upgraded avionics.

The Praetor 500

The Embraer Praetor 500 is an improved version of the Legacy 450. It has the same fuel capacity as the larger Legacy 500. It maintains the same passenger capacity as the Legacy 450 of nine, but the range is increased to 3,340 nautical miles (6,190 kilometers).

Photo: Embraer

It also has the same full (six feet) high cabin, allowing passengers to stand in the cabin. Of course, this is smaller than the Praetor 600 cabin, and usually has a different layout (shown in the picture below).

Photo: Embraer

The larger Praetor 600

The Praetor 600 is an improved version of the Legacy 500. Compared to the Praetor 500, it has a higher passenger capacity (12 instead of nine), slightly higher speed, and a longer range. The range is increased to 4,108 nautical miles (7,441 kilometers), which is about the top in the midsize category. It uses the same Honeywell HTF7500E engines, but at a higher maximum thrust than the Praetor 500 (7,528 lbf as opposed to 7,036 lbf).

Photo: Embraer

This higher fuel capacity is achieved with the addition of two ventral fuel tanks on the fuselage. This (and the additional cabin windows) is a good way to tell the aircraft apart. The tanks can be seen in the photograph below.

Photo: Matti Blume via Wikimedia

The Praetor 600 comes in at a higher price (approximately $21 million compared to $19 million for the Praetor 500). These specification improvements are important for many business uses. Of course, the higher passenger capacity could be a critical factor.

Photo: Embraer

The increased range, too makes a difference. While both jets can manage full US transcontinental routes, the Praetor 600 offers much more transatlantic capability - not just from New York to London, but also to cities further in Europe. It also puts it ahead of competing aircraft, such as the Bombardier Challenger 650 and the Gulfstream G280.

Would you like to discuss more about the Praetor 500 or 600 - or any other of Embraer's private jets? Feel free to do so in the comments section.