Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Cessna Citation Sovereign vs Embraer Praetor 500
The Bombardier Challenger 3500, Cessna Citation Sovereign+, and Embraer Praetor 500 all sit in the super-midsize business jet category, but they emphasize slightly different missions. The Challenger 3500 is typically positioned as a super-midsize with a strong cabin-comfort focus and a typical passenger capacity around 8 to 10. Its range is roughly 3,400 nautical miles, supporting many transcontinental U.S. trips and some North Atlantic city pairs with appropriate planning. The Citation Sovereign+ is also a super-midsize jet, often favored for a blend of runway performance and efficiency, with a typical capacity of about 8 to 10 passengers. Its range is about 3,200 nautical miles, making it well suited to U.S. coast-to-coast missions with reasonable reserves depending on conditions. The Praetor 500 is a newer super-midsize design that generally leads this trio on range, at about 3,340 nautical miles, with a typical capacity around 8 to 9 passengers. Overall, passenger capacities are similar, while range differences are modest, with the Sovereign+ usually shortest and the Praetor 500 and Challenger 3500 slightly longer.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Cessna Citation Sovereign+ | Embraer Praetor 500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 6.02 | $ 6.02 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 9 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Cessna Citation | Embraer |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Sovereign + | Praetor 500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 3138 | 3340 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.86 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 12790 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 2,699 | $ 2,779 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Garmin G5000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 458 | 466 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $19,730,000 | $16,995,000 |
| 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 | 11 | 9 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 12 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 9.3 | 9.7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 25230 | 27110 |
| Connectivity | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 5800 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | PW306D | HTF7500E |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 6000 | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 16 | ISA + 18 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 5907 | 6540 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 1700 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 63.5 | 64.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 72.4 | 70.5 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | 0.7 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 5.5 | 6.9 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 5.7 | 6 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 25.3 | 20.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 20.4 | 21.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 3.9 | 4.7 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 17.4 | 17.4 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 35 | 40 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 100 | 110 |