Bombardier Challenger 650 vs Bombardier Global 5500 vs Gulfstream G280 vs Gulfstream G400 vs Gulfstream G500
The Bombardier Challenger 650 is a large-cabin jet best suited to regional and transcontinental missions, offering roughly a 4,000‑nautical‑mile class range and typically seating about 8–12 passengers, with a focus on cabin comfort and operating economy. The Bombardier Global 5500 moves into the ultra‑long‑range category, reaching about 5,900 nautical miles and commonly configured for around 10–16 passengers, emphasizing longer nonstop city pairs and a larger, more flexible cabin. The Gulfstream G280 is a super‑mid/large‑cabin crossover with about a 3,600‑nautical‑mile class range and typically 8–10 passengers, optimized for efficient midsize operations with strong speed. The Gulfstream G400 is a long‑range large‑cabin aircraft positioned above the G280, with roughly a 4,200‑nautical‑mile class range and typical seating around 10–12. The Gulfstream G500 is a long‑range large‑cabin jet with about a 5,300‑nautical‑mile class range and usually 10–14 passengers, bridging the gap between large‑cabin comfort and near ultra‑long‑range capability.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 650 | Bombardier Global 5500 | Gulfstream G280 | Gulfstream G400 | Gulfstream G500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 7.16 | $ 9.49 | $ 6.57 | — | $ 9.00 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 12 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Bombardier | Gulfstream | Gulfstream | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 650 | Global 5500 | G280 | G400 | G500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | — | In Development |
| Max Range (nm) | 4085 | 5900 | 3600 | 4200 | 5200 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.80 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.82 | — | $ 0.90 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 16 | 10 | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | — | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 21050 | — | 15550 | 30650 | 30650 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 8 | — | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,365 | $ 4,895 | $ 3,168 | — | $ 4,644 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Bombardier Vision (Pro Line Fusion) | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 470 | 504 | 481 | 539 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $32,400,000 | $46,000,000 | $24,900,000 | 34500000 | $47,500,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 |
| Lavatory | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 4 |
| Crew Rest | Yes | No | No | — | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | Yes | No | — | Yes |
| Total Seats | 11 | 14 | 10 | — | 12 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | — | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 16 | 10 | — | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | FWD / AFT | AFT | — | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | — | 9.2 | — | 10.7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | — | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 8 | — | 10 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23000 | — | 25000 | — | 31900 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 5800 | — | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes |
| Model | CF34-3B MTO | Pearl | HTF7250G | — | PW814GA |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | On-Condition | On-Condition | — | 10000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | — | ISA + 17 | — | ISA + 15 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 9220 | 15125 | 7624 | — | 15144 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 68.4 | 96 | 66.9 | — | 91.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 64.4 | 94 | 63 | — | 86.3 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | — | 0.3 | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.9 | 8 | 6.9 | — | 7.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6.2 | 6.3 | — | 6.4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.6 | 40.8 | 25.9 | — | 41.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20.7 | 25.5 | 21.4 | — | 25.5 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 6.9 | — | 5.4 | — | 6.1 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 15.4 | — | 17.7 | — | 26.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 112 | — | 154 | — | 230 |