Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Bombardier Challenger 650 vs Bombardier Global 5500 vs Dassault Falcon 6x vs Gulfstream G280 vs Gulfstream G400 vs Gulfstream G500
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 and Gulfstream G280 sit in the super‑midsize category. The Challenger 3500 typically offers about 3,400 nm range with seating commonly around 8–10, while the G280 is similar in category with roughly 3,600 nm range and usually 8–10 passengers. The Bombardier Challenger 650 and Gulfstream G400 are large‑cabin jets: the Challenger 650 is generally around 4,000 nm with typical seating about 9–12, while the G400 is a newer large‑cabin design marketed around the low‑4,000‑nm class with typical seating roughly 10–12. Moving up, the Gulfstream G500 and Bombardier Global 5500 are long‑range large‑cabin aircraft. The G500 is commonly cited around 5,300 nm with about 10–14 passengers, while the Global 5500 is about 5,900 nm with roughly 10–16. The Dassault Falcon 6X is a long‑range large‑cabin jet emphasizing cabin width, typically around 5,500 nm and usually accommodating about 10–16 passengers.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Bombardier Challenger 650 | Bombardier Global 5500 | Dassault Falcon 6X | Gulfstream G280 | Gulfstream G400 | Gulfstream G500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 7.16 | $ 9.49 | $ 7.74 | $ 6.57 | — | $ 9.00 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 12 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Bombardier | Bombardier | Dassault Falcon | Gulfstream | Gulfstream | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Challenger 650 | Global 5500 | 6X | G280 | G400 | G500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | — | In Development |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 4085 | 5900 | 5500 | 3600 | 4200 | 5200 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.80 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.64 | $ 0.82 | — | $ 0.90 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | — | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 21050 | — | — | 15550 | 30650 | 30650 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 8 | — | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 3,365 | $ 4,895 | $ 3,845 | $ 3,168 | — | $ 4,644 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Bombardier Vision (Pro Line Fusion) | Honeywell Primus EASy III | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 470 | 504 | 516 | 481 | 539 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $32,400,000 | $46,000,000 | $49,500,000 | $24,900,000 | 34500000 | $47,500,000 |
| Cabin | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 4 |
| Crew Rest | No | Yes | No | No | No | — | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | — | Yes |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 10 | — | 12 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | — | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 10 | — | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD / AFT | FWD / AFT | FWD / AFT | AFT | — | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 8.8 | — | 10.2 | 9.2 | — | 10.7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley | — | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 8 | — | 10 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 23000 | — | 29200 | 25000 | — | 31900 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 3900 | 5800 | — | — |
| Engine | |||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | CF34-3B MTO | Pearl | PW812D | HTF7250G | — | PW814GA |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | On-Condition | On-Condition | 5000 | On-Condition | — | 10000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | — | ISA + 17 | ISA + 17 | — | ISA + 15 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 9220 | 15125 | 14000 | 7624 | — | 15144 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 |
| Dimensions | |||||||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 68.4 | 96 | 84.3 | 66.9 | — | 91.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 64.4 | 94 | 85.1 | 63 | — | 86.3 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | — | — | 0.3 | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 7.9 | 8 | 8.5 | 6.9 | — | 7.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.3 | — | 6.4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 25.6 | 40.8 | 40.4 | 25.9 | — | 41.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 20.7 | 25.5 | 24.5 | 21.4 | — | 25.5 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 6.9 | — | 6.3 | 5.4 | — | 6.1 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 15.4 | — | 27.5 | 17.7 | — | 26.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 112 | — | 140 | 154 | — | 230 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 1843 | — | — | — |