Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Cessna Citation Cj3 vs Cessna Citation Cj4 vs Embraer Phenom 100ev vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 is a super-midsize jet, typically seating about 8–10 passengers, with transcontinental-style range around 3,400 nautical miles, making it the longest-range, largest-cabin option in this group. The Cessna Citation CJ3+ and CJ4 are light jets; the CJ3+ generally carries about 6–9 passengers with roughly 2,000 nautical miles of range, while the CJ4 is the larger, longer-legged sibling at about 7–10 passengers and roughly 2,100–2,200 nautical miles. Embraer’s Phenom 100EV is a very light jet, usually 4–7 passengers, with about 1,100–1,200 nautical miles of range, suited to shorter regional trips. The Phenom 300E is a light jet with a notably strong blend of speed and efficiency, typically 6–10 passengers and about 2,000–2,100 nautical miles of range. The Pilatus PC-24 is a light jet often configured for 6–10 passengers, with around 2,000 nautical miles of range, and is distinguished by its ability to operate from shorter and more rugged runways than most jets here.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Cessna Citation CJ4 | Embraer Phenom 100EV | Embraer Phenom 300E | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 4.05 | $ 4.37 | $ 2.84 | $ 3.88 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Embraer | Embraer | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | CJ3+ | CJ4 | Phenom 100EV | Phenom 300E | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 1898 | 2170 | 1,178 | 2,010 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.62 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 5530 | 6914 | 3451 | 6914 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 1,680 | $ 1,970 | $ 1,152 | $ 1,758 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Garmin G3000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 415 | 440 | 406 | 464 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $9,915,000 | $11,290,000 | $4,250,000 | $9,650,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 6 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | — | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 8.9 | 9 | 8.3 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | No | Galley | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 23586 | 24005 | 21280 | 25560 | 23500 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | FJ44-3A | FJ44-4A | PW617F1-E | Canada PW535E1 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 5000 | 5000 | 3500 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 11 | ISA + 11 | ISA + 8 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 2820 | 3621 | 1730 | 3360 | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 624 | 757 | 543 | 757 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 703 | 870 | — | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 51.2 | 53.4 | 42.1 | 51.2 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 53 | 50 | 40.4 | 52.16 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 15.7 | 17.2 | 11 | 17.2 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 15.2 | 15.5 | 14.3 | 16.75 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 12.2 | 14.8 | 9 | 14.8 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | — | 7 | 10 | 10 | 90 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 65 | 70 | 60 | 74 | — |