Compare super-midsize jets
Bombardier Challenger 604 / 605 / 650 vs Gulfstream G280
The Challenger 650 flies further: 4,000 nm against 3,600 nm for the G280. The Challenger 650 has the bigger cabin: 1,146 cu ft against 888 cu ft for the G280. The G280 is faster at high-speed cruise: 482 kts against 470 kts for the Challenger 650.
The short answer
Challenger 650 or G280?
Which flies further, the Challenger 650 or the G280?
The Challenger 650 flies further: 4,000 nm against 3,600 nm for the G280.
Which has the bigger cabin, the Challenger 650 or the G280?
The Challenger 650 has the bigger cabin: 1,146 cu ft against 888 cu ft for the G280.
Which is faster, the Challenger 650 or the G280?
The G280 is faster at high-speed cruise: 482 kts against 470 kts for the Challenger 650.
Which seats more passengers?
The Challenger 650 seats more in a typical charter layout: up to 10 against up to 9 for the G280.
Which costs more to buy, the Challenger 650 or the G280?
Pre-owned, the Challenger 650 sells for about $19.0 million to $25.0 million (October 2026) and the G280 for about $13.4 million to $27 million (October 2026). New, they listed at $32.4 million (2024) and $24.5 million (2025).
Which is easier to charter in Germany?
11 Challenger 650 and 1 G280 are on the German LBA charter list today. Both charter at super-midsize jet rates; availability on your dates decides the price.
Side by side
Challenger 650 vs G280 specifications
Verified figures, checked October 2026. Fleet counts from the Germany's LBA list of licensed air carriers (15 September 2026).
| Specification | Challenger 650 Bombardier | G280 Gulfstream |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Range | 4,000 nm (7,408 km) (best) | 3,600 nm (6,667 km) |
| High-speed cruise | 470 kts (Mach 0.82) | 482 kts (Mach 0.84) (best) |
| Long-range cruise | 424 kts | 459 kts (Mach 0.8) (best) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.85 | Mach 0.85 |
| Maximum altitude | 41,000 ft | 45,000 ft (best) |
| Take-off distance | 5,640 ft | 4,750 ft (best) |
| Landing distance | 2,402 ft | 2,373 ft (best) |
| Cabin | ||
| Typical charter seats | 10 (best) | 8 to 9 |
| Maximum seats | 12 (best) | 10 |
| Beds (typical layout) | 6 (best) | 4 |
| Cabin zones | 2 | 2 |
| Cabin length | 25 ft 7 in (7.80 m) | 25 ft 10 in (7.87 m) (best) |
| Cabin width | 7 ft 11 in (2.41 m) (best) | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Cabin height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) (best) |
| Cabin volume | 1,146 cu ft (best) | 888 cu ft |
| Baggage | 115 cu ft, reachable in flight | 120 cu ft, reachable in flight (best) |
| Windows | Not published | 19 |
| Cabin altitude | Not published | 7,000 ft at 45,000 ft |
| Engines and weights | ||
| Engines | 2 × GE CF34-3B | 2 × Honeywell HTF7250G |
| Thrust per engine | 9,220 lbf | 7,624 lbf |
| Maximum take-off weight | 48,200 lb | 39,600 lb |
| Fuel capacity | 19,852 lb | 14,620 lb |
| Price and ownership | ||
| First delivered | 1996 | 2012 |
| In production | Yes | Yes |
| New price | $32.4M (2024) | $24.5M (2025) |
| Pre-owned price | $19.0M to $25.0M | $13.4M to $27M |
| Operating cost per hour | $11,815 | $9,009 |
| Charter fleet | ||
| On Germany charter list | 11 aircraft (best) | 1 aircraft |
Gold marks the best figure in each row. Take-off distance: At maximum take-off weight, sea level. Cabin length: Manufacturers measure cabin length differently; volume is the fairer comparison. Operating cost per hour: As reported; some sources quote variable cost only, others include fixed costs. See the basis under each aircraft.
The aircraft
Both aircraft at a glance
Bombardier
Bombardier Challenger 604 / 605 / 650
- Seats
- 10 (max 12)
- Range
- 4,000 nm
- Cabin
- 1,146 cu ft
- In production
- Yes
- Charter fleet
- 11 in Germany
German operators: Air Independence, FAI rent-a-jet, DC Aviation
Challenger 650 specs, interior and price →
Gulfstream
Gulfstream G280
- Seats
- 8 to 9 (max 10)
- Range
- 3,600 nm
- Cabin
- 888 cu ft
- In production
- Yes
- Charter fleet
- 1 in Germany
German operators: DC Aviation
G280 specs, interior and price →More comparisons
Compare with other super-midsize jets
Challenger 650 vs Challenger 350Challenger 650 vs Falcon 2000G280 vs Challenger 350G280 vs Falcon 2000
vs
FAQ
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistWhich flies further, the Challenger 650 or the G280?+
The Challenger 650 flies further: 4,000 nm against 3,600 nm for the G280.
Which has the bigger cabin, the Challenger 650 or the G280?+
The Challenger 650 has the bigger cabin: 1,146 cu ft against 888 cu ft for the G280.
Which is faster, the Challenger 650 or the G280?+
The G280 is faster at high-speed cruise: 482 kts against 470 kts for the Challenger 650.
Which seats more passengers?+
The Challenger 650 seats more in a typical charter layout: up to 10 against up to 9 for the G280.
Which costs more to buy, the Challenger 650 or the G280?+
Pre-owned, the Challenger 650 sells for about $19.0 million to $25.0 million (October 2026) and the G280 for about $13.4 million to $27 million (October 2026). New, they listed at $32.4 million (2024) and $24.5 million (2025).
Which is easier to charter in Germany?+
11 Challenger 650 and 1 G280 are on the German LBA charter list today. Both charter at super-midsize jet rates; availability on your dates decides the price.
Sources
Where these numbers come from
- Aviation Safety Network: Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 TC-TRB, 11 March 2018, and the Canadair CL-600 Challenger type database
- Bombardier: Challenger 350 factsheet (Apr 2024): 3,200 nm at Mach 0.80 with 8 passengers and NBAA IFR reserves, cabin 25 ft 2 in by 7 ft 2 in by 6 ft 0 in, up to 10 passengers, Honeywell HTF7350 7,323 lbf, 45,000 ft, takeoff 4,835 ft
- Jetcraft: Challenger 604 overview, 1995 to 2006 (Jan 2020): longer-range derivative of the 601-3R with more fuel and upgraded engines, CF34-3B, Pro Line 4, 4,024 nm, 365 built
- Jetcraft: Bombardier Challenger 650, 2014 to present (Sep 2024): cabin volume 1,146 cu ft, typical 9 passenger and 2 crew seats, up to 12 passengers, 158 built
- Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand: Bombardier CL600 Challenger series type acceptance report (Mar 2020): Transport Canada TC A-131; 604 is S/N 5301 to 5699, 605 S/N 5701 to 5990 with Pro Line 21, 650 S/N 6050 on with cockpit and cabin upgrades
- Guardian Jet: Bombardier CL 650 brochure (Oct 2026): 4 for sale, asks $18,995,000 to $24,995,000, model years 2016 to 2020
- Federal Register via Justia: Special conditions, Pro Star Aviation, Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 airplanes (Aug 2021): CL-600 series approved under Type Certificate No. A21EA
- AIN: Bombardier launches Challenger 650 (Nov 2014): improved CF34-3B engines with more takeoff thrust for hot and high airports, redesigned cockpit and cabin, NetJets launch customer, 4,000 nm with six passengers
- CRAFT: Bombardier Challenger 650 ownership and operating costs (updated Oct 2026): $11,815 per flight hour at 200 hours a year, annual total $2,363,067
- Solairus Aviation: ISP based Challenger 650 charter sheet (Nov 2024): seats 10, sleeps 6, 115 cu ft baggage, full forward galley, aft lavatory
- Bombardier: Challenger 650 factsheet (Apr 2024): high-speed cruise Mach 0.82
- EASA: Type Certificate Data Sheet EASA.IM.A.023, Issue 19 (Aug 2026): CL-600-2B16 604 variant; 605 is S/N 5701 to 5990 and 650 is S/N 6050 onward; TCCA approval 20 September 1995
- GlobalAir: Challenger 650 specifications (Oct 2026): 2024 list price $32,400,000
- Aviation Week: Challenger 650 deliveries by year end (Nov 2015): Transport Canada certifies the Challenger 650, deliveries before year end
- GlobalAir: 2019 Challenger 650 S/N 6136 listing by Bombardier Pre-owned (2026): 12 seats, four club seats forward, full berthing four-place divan opposite four-place conference group aft, forward RH galley, aft lavatory, Gogo L5 Avance and Ka-band
- Guardian Jet: 2012 Challenger 605 N605VG S/N 5905 specifications (Apr 2025): in-flight accessible baggage bay
- Bombardier Pre-owned: 2009 Challenger 605 N899ST S/N 5791 factsheet (Jan 2021): 11 places, four club seats, three-place divan opposite four-place conference group, forward galley with oven, microwave and espresso maker
- GlobalAir: 2016 Challenger 650 S/N 6084 listing by Donath Aircraft Services (2026): 10 passengers plus jump seat, four-place club forward, four-place divan opposite two-place club aft, forward galley, extended aft lavatory, Starlink and Ka-band
- Global Jet: 2020 Challenger 650 S/N 6151 for sale (2026): four-place club forward, four-place conference group opposite four-place divan aft, forward full galley, aft lavatory, Inmarsat SBB
- Guardian Jet: Bombardier CL 604 brochure (Oct 2026): 29 for sale, asks $3,500,000 to $7,995,000, model years 1996 to 2006, fleet 345
- Guardian Jet: Bombardier CL 605 brochure (Oct 2026): 19 for sale, asks $10,900,000 to $14,995,000, model years 2007 to 2015, fleet 287
- Solairus Aviation: TEB based Challenger 605 charter sheet (Dec 2023): seats 12, sleeps 6, 115 cu ft baggage, Gogo Wi-Fi
- Aerossurance: BFU report on Challenger 604 D-AMSC wake vortex accident over the Arabian Sea, 17 January 2017 (May 2017)
- GlobalAir: NTSB releases preliminary report on Challenger 650 crash in Maine (Mar 2026): N10KJ, Bangor, 25 January 2026, six killed, takeoff after deicing in snow
- Wikipedia: 2018 Iran Bombardier Challenger crash, Challenger 604 TC-TRB, 11 March 2018; Iran AAIB final report of March 2020
- Wikipedia: Hop-A-Jet Flight 823, Challenger 604 N823KD, Naples, 9 February 2024; NTSB final report 23 April 2026 cites corrosion of both engines' variable geometry components
- Wikipedia: Bombardier Challenger 600 series: Challenger 604 built from 1996 through 2006, over 360 delivered; 605 first flight January 2006; 1,000th 600 series, a 650, delivered to NetJets in December 2015
- Jetcraft: Bombardier Challenger 605 overview, 2006 to 2015 (Sep 2021): 288 built, last delivery 2015, larger and higher cabin windows and a rounded tailcone over the 604
- Flightline Weekly: Gulfstream G280 program completes 300th delivery (Jun 2025): up to 10 passengers, four-place conference table, 19 Gulfstream Large Oval Windows, high-speed Ka-band satellite system, steep-approach capability, FAA Stage 5
- Aviation Safety Network: Gulfstream G280 occurrences (Oct 2026): 5 listed from 2017 to 2024, none fatal
- Jetcraft: Gulfstream G280 overview, 2011 to present (Oct 2020): cabin volume 888 cu ft
- Gulfstream: G300 specifications (Oct 2026); gulfstream.com/en/aircraft/gulfstream-g280 now redirects here: 3,600 nm at Mach 0.80, cabin 27 ft 7 in long, cabin altitude 4,800 ft at 41,000 ft, Harmony flight deck, HTF7250G engines
- EASA: Type Certificate Data Sheet EASA.IM.A.348, Gulfstream G280, Issue 06 (May 2025): holder Gulfstream Aerospace LP, manufactured by IAI under licence; Note 1, redesignated from G250 to G280
- Guardian Jet: Gulfstream G280 brochure, performance, market, operating costs (Oct 2026): 12 for sale, asking $13.4 million to $27 million, model years 2013 to 2023
- General Dynamics: Gulfstream G280 operates challenging European airports (May 2017): FAA and EASA steep approach authorisation, recently approved for London City, flew Lugano, Samedan, Sion and Saanen-Gstaad
- CRAFT: Gulfstream G280 ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026): $1,801,810 a year at 200 hours, $9,009 an hour
- Gulfstream via Aviation Pros: Gulfstream G280 certified by FAA and Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (Sep 2012): cabin altitude 7,000 ft at FL450 and 6,000 ft at FL410
- CRAFT: Gulfstream G280 specifications (Oct 2026): high-speed cruise 482 ktas; Jetcraft and Business Jet Traveler also give 482 kts
- Wikipedia: Gulfstream G280
- Guardian Jet: 2020 Gulfstream G280 S/N 2190, N280RG, specification (Oct 2022): nine passengers, 4-place club forward, 3-place divan opposite a 2-place club aft, forward galley with coffee maker, high-temp oven and chiller, aft lavatory, Gogo Avance L5
- Aviation Week: Gulfstream unveils new G300 super midsize bizjet (Sep 2025): unveiled 30 September 2025 in Savannah, replaces the G280, certification targeted for early 2027
- Guardian Jet: 2014 Gulfstream G280 S/N 2052, N330SP, specification (Nov 2022): ten passengers, 4-place club forward, 4-place conference group across from a 2-place divan aft, forward galley, aft lavatory, ATG 5000
- Pinnacle Aviation: 2014 Gulfstream G280 S/N 2033, N711VP, sales brochure (Jun 2025): 9 passengers, right-hand forward galley with sink, enclosed aft lavatory, Gogo ATG-5000 Wi-Fi
- AIN: Gulfstream G280 goes steep at London City Airport (Nov 2016): FAA and CAAI certified the G280 for 5.5 degree steep approaches
- CRAFT: Bombardier Challenger 350 ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026): fixed $769,160 a year, variable $5,238 an hour, 297 gal/h, $1,816,760 a year at 200 hours
- Aviation Week: 20/Twenty, Gulfstream G280 (Jan 2021): 3,600 nm at long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.80
- CRAFT: Bombardier Challenger 350 specifications (Oct 2026): baggage 106 cu ft, MTOW 40,600 lb
- AIN: Gulfstream's new G300 takes to the skies (Dec 2025): first flight 5 December 2025 from Ben Gurion, built in Israel by IAI
- GlobalAir: Gulfstream G280 specifications and operating cost (Oct 2026): maiden flight 11 December 2009, Israeli certification December 2011 (provisional), FAA certification 2012, originally named G250
- Aviation Safety Network: Gulfstream G280 N610DP, Fulton County Executive, 18 November 2024: veered off runway 26 on landing, no damage listed, FAA investigating; unofficial sources
- NTSB via Aviation Safety Network: Gulfstream G280 N621WK, Boeing Field, 20 September 2024, NTSB WPR24LA318: right wing struck a parked Cessna 172S while taxiing; probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance
- AIN: Gulfstream delivers milestone G280 (Jun 2025): the first was handed over in 2012; 300th delivery in June 2025
- Business Jet Traveler: Gulfstream G280 (Aug 2021): 120 cu ft baggage compartment accessible in flight up to 40,000 ft
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