Bombardier Challenger 650 vs Embraer Praetor 600 vs Gulfstream G280 vs Gulfstream G500
The Bombardier Challenger 650 is a large-cabin business jet typically positioned for comfortable North American missions rather than maximum reach, with an advertised range around 4,000 nautical miles and a common passenger load of about 8–12 (certified higher). The Embraer Praetor 600 sits in the super-midsize category and emphasizes long range for its class, at roughly 4,000+ nautical miles, usually carrying about 8–12 passengers in typical layouts. The Gulfstream G280 is also a super-midsize jet, generally comparable in mission profile but with slightly less advertised range than the Praetor 600 at about 3,600–3,700 nautical miles, and it commonly seats around 8–10 (often configured up to about 10). The Gulfstream G500 moves up to the large-cabin, long-range category, offering substantially greater reach—around 5,000+ nautical miles—and typically carries about 10–14 passengers depending on configuration. Overall, Challenger 650, Praetor 600, and G280 cluster around the ~4,000-nm class with differing cabin philosophies, while the G500 is the step-up option for longer nonstop missions and more spacious seating.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 650 | Embraer Praetor 600 | Gulfstream G280 | Gulfstream G500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 7.16 | $ 6.74 | $ 6.57 | $ 9.00 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Embraer | Gulfstream | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 650 | Praetor 600 | G280 | G500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In Development |
| Max Range (nm) | 4085 | 4018 | 3600 | 5200 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.80 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.82 | $ 0.90 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 12 | 10 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 21050 | — | 15550 | 30650 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,365 | $ 3,141 | $ 3,168 | $ 4,644 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 470 | 542 | 481 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $32,400,000 | $20,995,000 | $24,900,000 | $47,500,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Crew Rest | Yes | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 12 | 10 | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 9.7 | 9.2 | 10.7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23000 | 27140 | 25000 | 31900 |
| Connectivity | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | — | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 5800 | 5800 | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CF34-3B MTO | HTF7500E | HTF7250G | PW814GA |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | On-Condition | On-Condition | 10000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 17 | ISA + 15 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 9220 | 7528 | 7624 | 15144 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 1963 | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 68.4 | 68.1 | 66.9 | 91.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 64.4 | 70.5 | 63 | 86.3 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | 0.3 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.9 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 6 | 6.3 | 6.4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.6 | 24.1 | 25.9 | 41.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20.7 | 21 | 21.4 | 25.5 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 6.9 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 15.4 | 21.3 | 17.7 | 26.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 112 | 45 | 154 | 230 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 110 | — | — |