Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Bombardier Challenger 650 vs Embraer Legacy 450 vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Embraer Praetor 500
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 and Embraer Praetor 500 sit in the super-midsize category, typically carrying about 8–10 passengers in normal executive layouts. The Challenger 3500 offers transcontinental capability at roughly 3,400 nautical miles, while the Praetor 500 is similar in size but usually edges longer in published range at about 3,340–3,450 nautical miles depending on configuration and reserves assumptions. The Bombardier Challenger 650 is a large-cabin aircraft with a noticeably bigger cabin and baggage volume, generally seating 10–12, and it brings longer reach around 4,000 nautical miles, making it better suited for longer missions and higher passenger counts. The Embraer Legacy 450 is super-midsize as well, often arranged for 8–9 passengers, with a typical range around 2,900 nautical miles, positioning it below the Challenger 3500 and Praetor 500 for nonstop distance. The Embraer Phenom 300E is a light jet, commonly seating 6–8, with shorter range near 2,000–2,100 nautical miles, optimized for speed and efficiency on shorter routes rather than long-haul missions.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Bombardier Challenger 650 | Embraer Legacy 450 | Embraer Phenom 300E | Embraer Praetor 500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 7.16 | $ 6.04 | $ 3.88 | $ 6.02 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Bombardier | Embraer | Embraer | Embraer |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Challenger 650 | Legacy 450 | Phenom 300E | Praetor 500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 4085 | 2973 | 2,010 | 3340 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.80 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.86 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 21050 | 12908 | 6914 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 3,365 | $ 2,790 | $ 1,758 | $ 2,779 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 470 | 481 | 464 | 466 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $32,400,000 | $16,995,000 | $9,650,000 | $16,995,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD / AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 8.8 | 9.7 | 9.4 | 9.7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 23000 | 27110 | 25560 | 27110 |
| Connectivity | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 6000 | — | 5800 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | CF34-3B MTO | HTF7500E | Canada PW535E1 | HTF7500E |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | On-Condition | On-Condition | 5000 | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 18 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 9220 | 6540 | 3360 | 6540 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | — | 1404 | 757 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 1932 | — | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 68.4 | 64.6 | 51.2 | 64.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 64.4 | 66.5 | 52.16 | 70.5 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | 0.3 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 7.9 | 6.9 | 5.1 | 6.9 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4.9 | 6 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 25.6 | 20.6 | 17.2 | 20.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 20.7 | 21.1 | 16.75 | 21.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 6.9 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 4.7 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 15.4 | 17.4 | 14.8 | 17.4 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 112 | 40 | 10 | 40 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 110 | 74 | 110 |