Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Gulfstream G500 vs Gulfstream G600
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 is a super‑midsize business jet aimed at efficient point‑to‑point missions. It typically carries about 8 to 10 passengers and offers a range of roughly 3,400 nautical miles, making it well suited for transcontinental U.S. flying and many North Atlantic or deep South America pairings with stops depending on winds and payload. The Gulfstream G500 and G600 sit in the large‑cabin, long‑range category above the Challenger 3500, with more cabin volume, higher cruise capability, and greater intercontinental reach. The G500 commonly accommodates around 10 to 13 passengers and is generally quoted around 5,300 nautical miles of range, enabling many nonstop U.S.–Europe and longer North Atlantic missions. The G600 is the larger and longer‑legged of the two, often configured for about 12 to 15 passengers, with a published range near 6,600 nautical miles, pushing deeper into true long‑haul nonstop city pairs. Overall, capacity and range step up from Challenger 3500 to G500, then again to G600.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Gulfstream G500 | Gulfstream G600 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 9.00 | $ 9.28 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 12 | 12 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Gulfstream | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | G500 | G600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | In Development | FAA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 5200 | 6500 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.90 | $ 0.93 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 30650 | 40560 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 4,644 | $ 4,789 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 516 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $47,500,000 | $58,500,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | Yes |
| Jump Seat | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Total Seats | 10 | 12 | 12 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 19 | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD / AFT | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 10.7 | 10.7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 31900 | 31900 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | PW814GA | PW815GA |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 10000 | 10000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 15144 | 15680 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 91.2 | 96.1 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 86.3 | 94.1 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6.4 | 6.4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 41.5 | 45.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 25.5 | 25.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 6.1 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 26.3 | 30.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 230 | 230 |