Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Bombardier Challenger 650 vs Embraer Legacy 450 vs Embraer Phenom 300e
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 and Embraer Legacy 450 sit in the super-midsize category, while the Bombardier Challenger 650 is a larger heavy-cabin jet and the Embraer Phenom 300E is a light jet. For range, the Challenger 650 is typically the longest-legged at about 4,000 nautical miles, enabling more true intercontinental-style missions than the others. The Challenger 3500 and Legacy 450 cluster below that, generally around the mid‑3,000‑nautical‑mile class (roughly 3,200–3,400 nautical miles), suitable for long nonstop U.S. transcontinental and many North Atlantic city pairs with favorable conditions. The Phenom 300E is shorter-range, commonly around 2,000+ nautical miles (about 2,010 nautical miles), aimed at regional and shorter transcontinental routes. In passenger capacity, the Challenger 650 typically carries the most, often configured for about 10–12 passengers. The Challenger 3500 and Legacy 450 are commonly arranged around 8–10 passengers. The Phenom 300E usually seats about 6–8 passengers, reflecting its light-jet class.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Bombardier Challenger 650 | Embraer Legacy 450 | Embraer Phenom 300E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 7.16 | $ 6.04 | $ 3.88 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Bombardier | Embraer | Embraer |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Challenger 650 | Legacy 450 | Phenom 300E |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 4085 | 2973 | 2,010 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.80 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 21050 | 12908 | 6914 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 3,365 | $ 2,790 | $ 1,758 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Prodigy Touch (G3000) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 470 | 481 | 464 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $32,400,000 | $16,995,000 | $9,650,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | Yes | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD / AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 8.8 | 9.7 | 9.4 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 23000 | 27110 | 25560 |
| Connectivity | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 6000 | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | CF34-3B MTO | HTF7500E | Canada PW535E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | On-Condition | On-Condition | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 15 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 9220 | 6540 | 3360 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | — | 1404 | 757 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 1932 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 68.4 | 64.6 | 51.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 64.4 | 66.5 | 52.16 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | 0.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 7.9 | 6.9 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 25.6 | 20.6 | 17.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 20.7 | 21.1 | 16.75 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 6.9 | 4.7 | 3.6 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 15.4 | 17.4 | 14.8 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 112 | 40 | 10 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 110 | 74 |