Bombardier Challenger 650 vs Bombardier Global 5500 vs Dassault Falcon 900lx
The Bombardier Challenger 650 is best viewed as a large-cabin, super-midsize business jet optimized for efficient regional and transcontinental missions. It typically carries about 8–12 passengers in a comfortable executive layout, with a range around 4,000 nautical miles, making it well suited for North America and many North Atlantic city pairs with appropriate planning. The Bombardier Global 5500 moves up into the ultra-long-range category, pairing a larger, more flexible cabin with significantly greater reach. Typical passenger loads are about 10–16, and range is roughly 5,900 nautical miles, enabling longer nonstop intercontinental routes and more operational margin. The Dassault Falcon 900LX sits in the large-cabin, long-range class, known for its trijet configuration and strong runway performance. It commonly accommodates about 8–14 passengers, with range around 4,750 nautical miles, bridging the gap between the Challenger 650 and Global 5500: longer legs than the Challenger, but generally less reach than the Global, often with advantages in airport access and climb performance.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 650 | Bombardier Global 5500 | Dassault Falcon 900LX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 7.16 | $ 9.49 | $ 7.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 14 | 16 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Bombardier | Dassault Falcon |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 650 | Global 5500 | 900LX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 4085 | 5900 | 4750 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.80 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.63 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 16 | 14 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 21050 | — | 22450 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 14 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,365 | $ 4,895 | $ 3,588 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Bombardier Vision (Pro Line Fusion) | Honeywell Primus EASy II |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 470 | 504 | 498 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $32,400,000 | $46,000,000 | $44,000,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | Yes | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | Yes | No |
| Total Seats | 11 | 14 | 16 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 16 | 14 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | FWD / AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | — | 9.6 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 14 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23000 | — | 25300 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CF34-3B MTO | Pearl | TFE731-60 |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | On-Condition | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | — | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 9220 | 15125 | 5000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 68.4 | 96 | 66.4 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 64.4 | 94 | 70.2 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.9 | 8 | 7.7 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6.2 | 6.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.6 | 40.8 | 33.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20.7 | 25.5 | 24.8 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 6.9 | — | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 15.4 | — | 23.5 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 112 | — | 127 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 1264 |