Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Bombardier Challenger 650 vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Dassault Falcon 2000lxs vs Dassault Falcon 2000s vs Gulfstream G280 vs Gulfstream G400
Category-wise, the Cessna Citation XLS+ is the true midsize option, optimized for shorter missions and frequent airport access. The Bombardier Challenger 3500 and Gulfstream G280 sit at the top end of the super-midsize class, offering larger cabins and longer legs than the XLS+. The Bombardier Challenger 650, Dassault Falcon 2000S, and Falcon 2000LXS are large-cabin aircraft, with the Falcon variants emphasizing runway performance and cabin comfort, while the Challenger 650 emphasizes long-range, wide-cabin capability. The Gulfstream G400 is a larger, longer-range step above the G280, positioned in the large-cabin/long-range category. For range, the XLS+ is the shortest at roughly 2,100 nm. The Challenger 3500 and Falcon 2000S cluster around about 3,200–3,400 nm, while the G280 is typically higher at about 3,600 nm. The Falcon 2000LXS and Challenger 650 generally sit around roughly 4,000 nm, and the G400 leads this group at about 4,100+ nm. Passenger capacity is broadly similar in typical executive layouts: XLS+ usually seats 7–9, Challenger 3500 and G280 about 8–10, and Challenger 650/Falcon 2000 variants commonly 8–12, with the G400 also typically 8–12.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Bombardier Challenger 650 | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Dassault Falcon 2000LXS | Dassault Falcon 2000S | Gulfstream G280 | Gulfstream G400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 7.16 | $ 5.34 | $ 6.38 | $ 6.63 | $ 6.57 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Bombardier | Cessna Citation | Dassault Falcon | Dassault Falcon | Gulfstream | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Challenger 650 | XLS+ | 2000LXS | 2000S | G280 | G400 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | — |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 4085 | 1906 | 4155 | 3540 | 3600 | 4200 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.80 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.80 | $ 0.83 | $ 0.82 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | — |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 21050 | 7540 | 18250 | 18250 | 15550 | 30650 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 3,365 | $ 2,303 | $ 3,073 | $ 3,150 | $ 3,168 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 470 | 430 | 490 | 490 | 481 | 539 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $32,400,000 | $15,500,000 | $35,100,000 | $ 26,000,000 | $24,900,000 | 34500000 |
| Cabin | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Crew Rest | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | — |
| Jump Seat | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | — |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD / AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 9.6 | 9.6 | 9.2 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 23000 | 25230 | 25300 | 25300 | 25000 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | — | — | 5800 | — |
| Engine | |||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| Model | HTF73500 | CF34-3B MTO | PW545C | PW308C | PW308C | HTF7250G | — |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | On-Condition | 5000 | 7000 | 7000 | On-Condition | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 17 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 9220 | 4119 | 7000 | 7000 | 7624 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 68.4 | 52.5 | 66.4 | 66.4 | 66.9 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 64.4 | 56.3 | 70.2 | 70.2 | 63 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | 0.7 | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | 0.3 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 7.9 | 5.5 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 6.9 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.3 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 25.6 | 18.5 | 26.2 | 26.2 | 25.9 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 20.7 | 17.2 | 23.2 | 23.2 | 21.4 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 6.9 | 3.9 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 5.4 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 15.4 | 14.3 | 17.1 | 17.1 | 17.7 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 112 | 10 | 131 | 134 | 154 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 80 | — | — | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 1024 | 1024 | — | — |