Then there are the more practical corporate jets, more likely to join a Fortune 500 company's fleet than the personal collection of the CEO. And, finally, somewhere in between lands Embraer's Lineage 1000E, a medium-haul workhorse designed to accommodate top executives and their staffs — with a reasonable level of privacy and comfort.
The Lineage 1000E may look familiar — until you step inside. It shares its roots with the Embraer ERJ-190 regional jet, an aircraft known to many travelers, especially those flying AA or JetBlue within the US.
Inside, it's a completely different beast, with custom leather recliners, wide aisles and even a master suite.
At $53 million, it's more affordable than the far smaller G650ER, but it flies much more like an airliner than an industry-leading private jet.
We're talking a top speed of mach 0.82, compared with 0.925 on the $70 million Gulfstream, which is capable of flying the Lineage's 5,300 miles, and then another 3,300 after that.
Both planes carry a similar number of passengers — up to 19 with the Embraer, vs. 18 max with the G650ER — but the Lineage is nearly 20 feet longer, translating into a more spacious cabin, even though flyers will likely spend less time in the air.
I toured a demo Lineage 1000ER at NBAA in Orlando. With several well-appointed cabins, it's quite the showpiece.
Guests can dine in groups of four, or at their individual seats.
You could even enjoy breakfast in your posh queen-size bed — in its own private suite.
My favorite room was the rear lavatory — one of the largest I've seen on a plane.
The shower itself felt even more spacious than Emirates' A380 shower suite.
The only space that resembles Embraer's ERJ-190 is the flight deck, which is nearly identical, save for some controls dedicated to the 1000E's high-end additions. This plane really is unbelievably sleek.
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