Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Cessna Citation Cj3 vs Cessna Citation Cj4 vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Embraer Praetor 500
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 and Embraer Praetor 500 sit in the super-midsize category, offering the longest reach and the most cabin volume of this group. Both typically seat about eight to ten passengers, with ranges around 3,300–3,400 nautical miles, making them well suited to longer nonstop missions and higher-comfort expectations. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a midsize jet with a larger, stand-up-friendly cabin compared with the CJ-series, commonly configured for about eight to nine passengers and delivering roughly 2,100 nautical miles of range, favoring medium-length trips and strong short-field versatility. The Cessna Citation CJ3+ and CJ4 are light jets. The CJ3+ generally carries about six to nine passengers with approximately 2,000 nautical miles of range, while the CJ4 is the larger, faster step-up light jet, usually seating about seven to ten passengers and stretching range to roughly 2,100–2,200 nautical miles. Overall, the CJ3+/CJ4 prioritize efficient regional flying, the XLS+ emphasizes cabin comfort in midsize missions, and the Challenger 3500/Praetor 500 lead for longer-range, higher-end travel.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Cessna Citation CJ4 | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Embraer Praetor 500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 4.05 | $ 4.37 | $ 5.34 | $ 6.02 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Embraer |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | CJ3+ | CJ4 | XLS+ | Praetor 500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 1898 | 2170 | 1906 | 3340 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.62 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.86 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 5530 | 6914 | 7540 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 1,680 | $ 1,970 | $ 2,303 | $ 2,779 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Garmin G3000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 415 | 440 | 430 | 466 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $9,915,000 | $11,290,000 | $15,500,000 | $16,995,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 8.9 | 9 | 9.3 | 9.7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 23586 | 24005 | 25230 | 27110 |
| Connectivity | — | — | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | — | 5800 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | FJ44-3A | FJ44-4A | PW545C | HTF7500E |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 11 | ISA + 11 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 18 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 2820 | 3621 | 4119 | 6540 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 624 | 757 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 703 | 870 | — | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 51.2 | 53.4 | 52.5 | 64.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 53 | 50 | 56.3 | 70.5 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.7 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 6.9 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 6 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 15.7 | 17.2 | 18.5 | 20.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 15.2 | 15.5 | 17.2 | 21.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 4.7 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 12.2 | 14.8 | 14.3 | 17.4 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | — | 7 | 10 | 40 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 65 | 70 | 80 | 110 |