Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 sits in the super‑midsize category, offering the most cabin volume and typically the highest comfort for longer missions. Its range is generally around 3,200 nautical miles, and it commonly seats about 8 to 10 passengers in a double‑club style layout, with an enclosed lavatory and strong baggage capacity, making it well suited to coast‑to‑coast U.S. trips and many transcontinental routes. The Embraer Phenom 300E is a light jet optimized for efficiency and speed on shorter to mid-length sectors. Its range is typically about 2,000 to 2,100 nautical miles, and it usually carries 6 to 8 passengers, though some configurations market higher maximum seating with tradeoffs in comfort and luggage. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a “super versatile” light jet often positioned between light and midsize capabilities. Range is commonly about 2,000 to 2,100 nautical miles, with typical seating around 6 to 8 passengers. Its standout advantage is operational flexibility, including the ability to use shorter runways and, in many cases, unimproved surfaces compared with typical business jets.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Embraer Phenom 300E | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 3.88 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Embraer | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | Phenom 300E | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 2,010 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 6914 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 1,758 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 464 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $9,650,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | No | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 25560 | 23500 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | Canada PW535E1 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 5000 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 3360 | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 757 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 51.2 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 52.16 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | 0.3 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 5.1 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 4.9 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 17.2 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 16.75 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 3.6 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 14.8 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 10 | 90 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 74 | — |