Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Bombardier Challenger 650 vs Embraer Praetor 600 vs Gulfstream G280
All four are super-midsize business jets, but they differ in mission emphasis. The Bombardier Challenger 3500 is optimized for efficient super-midsize operations, typically seating about eight to ten passengers, with a range around 3,400 nautical miles, making it well-suited to many transcontinental U.S. and select North Atlantic missions with favorable winds. The Embraer Praetor 600 is also super-midsize, usually configured for seven to ten passengers, and offers a similar or slightly longer range at roughly 3,900 nautical miles, giving it more consistent reach on longer city pairs. The Gulfstream G280 sits in the same category, commonly seating eight to ten, with range about 3,600 nautical miles, prioritizing speed, climb, and strong overall performance. The Bombardier Challenger 650 moves into the large-cabin category, carrying about nine to twelve passengers in typical layouts and providing the longest reach here at about 4,000 nautical miles, pairing greater cabin volume with true long-range capability. Overall, 3500/G280/Praetor 600 are super-midsize peers, while the 650 is the larger, longer-legged step up.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Bombardier Challenger 650 | Embraer Praetor 600 | Gulfstream G280 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 7.16 | $ 6.74 | $ 6.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Bombardier | Embraer | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Challenger 650 | Praetor 600 | G280 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 4085 | 4018 | 3600 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.80 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.82 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 21050 | — | 15550 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 3,365 | $ 3,141 | $ 3,168 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 470 | 542 | 481 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $32,400,000 | $20,995,000 | $24,900,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | Yes | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD / AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 8.8 | 9.7 | 9.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 23000 | 27140 | 25000 |
| Connectivity | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 5800 | 5800 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | CF34-3B MTO | HTF7500E | HTF7250G |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | On-Condition | On-Condition | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 9220 | 7528 | 7624 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 1963 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 68.4 | 68.1 | 66.9 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 64.4 | 70.5 | 63 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | 0.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 7.9 | 6.8 | 6.9 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 25.6 | 24.1 | 25.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 20.7 | 21 | 21.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 6.9 | 4.7 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 15.4 | 21.3 | 17.7 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 112 | 45 | 154 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 110 | — |