Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Cessna Citation Sovereign vs Dassault Falcon 7x vs Embraer Praetor 500 vs Gulfstream G280
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 and Gulfstream G280 sit in the super-midsize category, typically carrying about 8–10 passengers. The Challenger 3500 offers a range around 3,400 nautical miles, while the G280 reaches roughly 3,600 nautical miles, giving it a modest edge for longer city pairs. The Cessna Citation Sovereign+ is also a super-midsize jet and generally seats about 8–9 passengers. Its range is shorter than the two above at roughly 3,200 nautical miles, though it is well regarded for efficient operations and runway performance. The Embraer Praetor 500 is a super-midsize aircraft with a typical capacity of about 8–9 passengers and a range around 3,300 nautical miles, placing it close to the Challenger 3500 and Sovereign+ but usually behind the G280 on maximum reach. The Dassault Falcon 7X is in the large-cabin, long-range category and carries about 12–16 passengers depending on configuration. It clearly leads on range at roughly 5,950 nautical miles, enabling true intercontinental missions that the super-midsize jets generally cannot match.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Cessna Citation Sovereign+ | Dassault Falcon 7X | Embraer Praetor 500 | Gulfstream G280 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 6.02 | $ 7.75 | $ 6.02 | $ 6.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 17 | 9 | 10 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Cessna Citation | Dassault Falcon | Embraer | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Sovereign + | 7X | Praetor 500 | G280 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 3138 | 5950 | 3340 | 3600 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.65 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.82 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 16 | 9 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 12790 | 33600 | — | 15550 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 14 | 7 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 2,699 | $ 3,850 | $ 2,779 | $ 3,168 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Garmin G5000 | Honeywell Primus EASy II | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 458 | 516 | 466 | 481 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $19,730,000 | $53,800,000 | $16,995,000 | $24,900,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 17 | 9 | 10 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 16 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | FWD / AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 9.3 | 10.2 | 9.7 | 9.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 14 | 7 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 25230 | 29200 | 27110 | 25000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 3900 | 5800 | 5800 |
| Connectivity | — | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | PW306D | PW307A | HTF7500E | HTF7250G |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 6000 | 7200 | On-Condition | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 16 | ISA + 17 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 5907 | 6402 | 6540 | 7624 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 1700 | — | — | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 63.5 | 76.7 | 64.6 | 66.9 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 72.4 | 86 | 70.5 | 63 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | 0.7 | — | Flat Floor | 0.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 5.5 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 6.9 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 6 | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 25.3 | 39.1 | 20.6 | 25.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 20.4 | 25.7 | 21.1 | 21.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 3.9 | 6.3 | 4.7 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 17.4 | 26.2 | 17.4 | 17.7 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 35 | 140 | 40 | 154 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 100 | — | 110 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 1552 | — | — |