Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Embraer Praetor 500
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 is a super‑midsize business jet aimed at longer missions with a larger cabin, typically seating about eight to ten passengers in a comfortable executive layout. Its range is roughly 3,400 nautical miles, making it well suited to transcontinental U.S. trips and many North Atlantic city pairs with favorable conditions. The Embraer Phenom 300E is a light jet optimized for efficiency and short-to-medium missions. It generally carries six to nine passengers depending on configuration, with a range of about 2,000 to 2,100 nautical miles, fitting regional routes and many coast‑to‑coast trips only with a stop. The Embraer Praetor 500 sits between the other two in cabin class and mission capability, commonly categorized as a midsize jet with a relatively advanced cabin and avionics suite. It typically accommodates around eight to nine passengers and offers about 3,300 nautical miles of range, approaching super‑midsize mission profiles while maintaining midsize operating economics.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Embraer Phenom 300E | Embraer Praetor 500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 3.88 | $ 6.02 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Embraer | Embraer |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Phenom 300E | Praetor 500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 2,010 | 3340 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.86 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 6914 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 7 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 1,758 | $ 2,779 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 464 | 466 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $9,650,000 | $16,995,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | No | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 9.4 | 9.7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 25560 | 27110 |
| Connectivity | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 5800 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | Canada PW535E1 | HTF7500E |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 5000 | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 18 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 3360 | 6540 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 757 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 51.2 | 64.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 52.16 | 70.5 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | 0.3 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 5.1 | 6.9 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 4.9 | 6 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 17.2 | 20.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 16.75 | 21.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 3.6 | 4.7 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 14.8 | 17.4 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 10 | 40 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 74 | 110 |