Once the aircraft moves into flight testing, Embraer expects to shift some engineers to the development of the smaller Legacy 450, which was launched alongside the 500 in 2008. Both models were designed with a goal of 95% commonality—the main differences being that the 450 has a shorter fuselage (it holds seven to nine passengers) and less range (2,300 nm). Both aircraft will share a type rating.

Embraer cut metal on the first 450 in August. The 450 development program is expected to benefit from work accomplished on its larger sibling and is expected to follow just a year behind the 500.