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Bombardier Challenger 650 vs Cessna Citation Sovereign vs Embraer Legacy 500 vs Gulfstream G400

The Bombardier Challenger 650 and Cessna Citation Sovereign+ are typically positioned in the super‑midsize class, while the Embraer Legacy 500 is also a super‑midsize competitor with a newer-generation cabin design; the Gulfstream G400 sits a step above as a large‑cabin, long‑range business jet. In range terms, the Citation Sovereign+ is generally optimized for medium-to-long domestic missions at roughly 3,000 nautical miles, the Challenger 650 commonly reaches about 4,000 nautical miles, and the Legacy 500 falls in between at around 3,100–3,200 nautical miles depending on conditions. The G400 is designed for significantly longer legs, on the order of about 4,000+ nautical miles, with stronger long-range cruise capability. Typical passenger capacity is similar across the three super‑midsize jets, commonly seating about 8–12 passengers in executive layouts, with maximum configurations higher; the G400 generally carries a similar headcount but in a larger, more spacious cabin, often arranged for 10–14 passengers depending on configuration.

SpecBombardier Challenger 650Cessna Citation Sovereign+Embraer Legacy 500Gulfstream G400
Summary
Cockpit222—
DOC / nm$ 7.16$ 6.02$ 6.74—
Min Crew2224
Total Seats11111012
ManufacturerBombardierCessna CitationEmbraerGulfstream
Aircraft NameChallenger 650Sovereign +Legacy 500G400
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA—
Max Range (nm)4085313831534200
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.80$ 0.67$ 0.84—
Max Cabin Seats12121219
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDVERIFIED—
Useful Load (lbs)21050127901483730650
Standard Cabin Seats999—
Direct Operating Cost$ 3,365$ 2,699$ 3,141—
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 AdvancedGarmin G5000Rockwell Collins Pro Line FusionGulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)470458481539
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$32,400,000$19,730,000$20,000,00034500000
Cabin
Cockpit222—
Lavatory2 Enclosed Flushing1 Enclosed Belted Flushing1 Enclosed Flushing—
Min Crew222—
Crew RestYesNoNo—
Jump SeatYesNoNo—
Total Seats111110—
Galley LocationFWDFWDFWD—
Max Cabin Seats121212—
Lavatory LocationFWD / AFTAFTAFT—
Cabin Pressure (psi)8.89.39.7—
Galley / RefreshmentGalleyGalleyGalley—
Standard Cabin Seats999—
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)230002523027140—
Connectivity——Gogo AVANCE L5—
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)——6000—
Engine
FADECYesYesYes—
ModelCF34-3B MTOPW306DHTF7500E—
TBO (hrs)On-Condition6000On-Condition—
Flat RatingISA + 15ISA + 16ISA + 18—
Thrust (lbs)922059077036—
No. of Engines222—
Fuel Capacity (gal)—17001963—
Fuel Burn (lbph)——1441—
Dimensions
Length (ft)68.463.568.1—
Wingspan (ft)64.472.466.5—
Aisle Step (ft)Flat Floor0.7Flat Floor—
Cabin Width (ft)7.95.56.8—
Cabin Height (ft)65.76—
Cabin Length (ft)25.625.324.1—
Overall Height (ft)20.720.421.2—
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)6.93.94.7—
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)15.417.421.3—
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)1123545—
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)—100110—