Embraer Phenom 100

The standard layout seats four, and a high density configuration takes up to seven. The cabin is 3.35 m long, 1.55 m wide and 1.50 m high, which is comfortable for a short business trip. There is room for four suitcases and four pieces of hand luggage, so plan on one of each per passenger.

With IFR reserves, the Phenom 100 flies up to 1,178 nm (2,182 km). That is plenty for regional European routes such as Madrid to Rome, Paris to Berlin and London to Barcelona, with no fuel stop. Payload and winds affect the figure on the day.

It cruises at 390 knots (722 km/h), which puts it among the quicker very light jets. London to Paris takes about an hour, and Frankfurt to Rome a little over two. It can climb to 41,000 ft, and a long range cruise of 333 knots stretches the fuel on longer legs.

It is built for short sectors, up to roughly 2,000 km, or two and a half hours of flying. Good performance and agile handling let it reach small airports that are hard to get to by other means. It needs a paved runway, but it can use most regional airports in Europe, with a listed takeoff distance of 953 m.

Its systems are heavily automated and computer controlled. Sensors, processors and built-in diagnostics reduce the pilot's workload and add to safety, which is why the aircraft is certified to fly with one pilot. That keeps operating costs down, and the Pratt & Whitney PW617F engines give it performance close to that of larger business jets.

Both belong to the very light jet class, and both can be flown by a single pilot. The HondaJet has a slightly larger cabin and is a little faster, cruising at about 422 knots against the Phenom's 390. In return, it gives up some range. On most regional routes, either aircraft will do the job well.

There is no set price for a Phenom 100 flight. The cost depends on the route, the dates, how far the aircraft has to travel to collect you and the operator who flies it. Our advisors build each quote around the specific trip, and they can usually confirm a figure quickly.