Bombardier Challenger 650 vs Embraer Legacy 650e vs Gulfstream G280
In category, the Bombardier Challenger 650 and Embraer Legacy 650E are typically considered large-cabin business jets, emphasizing spacious cabins and strong comfort on longer missions, while the Gulfstream G280 is generally positioned as a super-midsize jet, prioritizing speed, efficiency, and access to a broad range of airports with a somewhat smaller cabin. For range, the G280 and Challenger 650 are both in the roughly 3,600–3,900 nautical mile class (about 6,700–7,200 km), enabling many transcontinental U.S. missions and some transatlantic pairings with payload and wind considerations. The Legacy 650E is in a similar long-range bracket, commonly cited around the 3,900 nautical mile range (about 7,200 km), and is also well suited to longer nonstop sectors. For passenger capacity, all three are usually configured for about 8 to 12 passengers in typical executive layouts. The Legacy 650E often accommodates the most in high-density configurations (commonly up to 13), the Challenger 650 is frequently arranged around 10 to 12, and the G280 is commonly configured around 8 to 10, reflecting its super-midsize cabin footprint.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 650 | Embraer Legacy 650E | Gulfstream G280 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 7.16 | $ 8.41 | $ 6.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 14 | 10 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Embraer | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 650 | Legacy 650E | G280 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 4085 | 3980 | 3600 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.80 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.82 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 19 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 21050 | 22510 | 15550 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,365 | $ 3,860 | $ 3,168 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Honeywell Primus Elite | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 470 | 458 | 481 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $32,400,000 | $26,500,000 | $24,900,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | Yes | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | No | No |
| Total Seats | 11 | 14 | 10 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 19 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 8.4 | 9.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23000 | 21650 | 25000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 5800 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CF34-3B MTO | AE3007A2 | HTF7250G |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | On-Condition | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 9220 | 9020 | 7624 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 1901 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 68.4 | 86.5 | 66.9 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 64.4 | 69.5 | 63 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | 0.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.9 | 6.9 | 6.9 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6 | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.6 | 42.4 | 25.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20.7 | 22.2 | 21.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 6.9 | 5.2 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 15.4 | 30.3 | 17.7 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 112 | 286 | 154 |