Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Cessna Citation Longitude vs Gulfstream G280
The Bombardier Challenger 3500, Cessna Citation Longitude, and Gulfstream G280 all sit in the super‑midsize business jet category, but they emphasize slightly different strengths. The Challenger 3500 is typically positioned as a super‑midsize jet optimized for comfortable North America missions, offering roughly 3,400 nautical miles of range and commonly seating about 8 to 10 passengers in a typical executive layout. The Citation Longitude is also a super‑midsize jet, generally delivering a bit more reach at around 3,500 nautical miles and usually accommodating about 8 to 12 passengers depending on configuration. The Gulfstream G280 is likewise a super‑midsize jet, but it is often viewed as the range leader among the three, at roughly 3,600 nautical miles, with typical seating around 8 to 10 passengers. In practical terms, all three can handle coast‑to‑coast U.S. missions with reserves under many conditions, while the G280 and Longitude tend to offer slightly more flexibility on longer city pairs than the Challenger 3500, depending on payload and winds.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Cessna Citation Longitude | Gulfstream G280 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 5.23 | $ 6.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Cessna Citation | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Longitude | G280 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA Certified | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 3500 | 3600 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.65 | $ 0.82 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | — | 15550 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 2,500 | $ 3,168 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Garmin G5000 | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 481 | 481 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $29,965,000 | $24,900,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | No | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 9.7 | 9.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 25400 | 25000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 5800 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | HTF7700L | HTF7250G |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | On-Condition | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 19 | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 7665 | 7624 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 1478 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 73.2 | 66.9 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 68.9 | 63 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | 0.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 6.4 | 6.9 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6 | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 25.2 | 25.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 19.4 | 21.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 4.1 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 16.5 | 17.7 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 112 | 154 |