Bombardier Challenger 604 / 605 / 650 vs Cessna Citation X+
The Challenger 650 flies further: 4,000 nm against 3,408 nm for the Citation X+. The Challenger 650 has the bigger cabin: 1,146 cu ft against 538 cu ft for the Citation X+. The Citation X+ is faster at high-speed cruise: 528 kts against 470 kts for the Challenger 650.
Challenger 650 or Citation X+?
Which flies further, the Challenger 650 or the Citation X+?
The Challenger 650 flies further: 4,000 nm against 3,408 nm for the Citation X+.
Which has the bigger cabin, the Challenger 650 or the Citation X+?
The Challenger 650 has the bigger cabin: 1,146 cu ft against 538 cu ft for the Citation X+.
Which is faster, the Challenger 650 or the Citation X+?
The Citation X+ is faster at high-speed cruise: 528 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 8 for the Citation X+.
Which costs more to buy, the Challenger 650 or the Citation X+?
Pre-owned, the Challenger 650 sells for about $19.0 million to $25.0 million (October 2026) and the Citation X+ for about $7 million to $13 million (2026-06). New, they listed at $32.4 million (2024) and $23.7 million (2015).
Which is easier to charter in the US?
205 Challenger 650 and 138 Citation X+ are on the US Part 135 charter list today. Both charter at super-midsize jet rates; availability on your dates decides the price.
Challenger 650 vs Citation X+ specifications
Verified figures, checked October 2026. Fleet counts from the FAA Part 135 list (2 September 2026).
| Specification | Challenger 650 Bombardier | Citation X+ Cessna (Textron Aviation) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Range | 4,000 nm (7,408 km) (best) | 3,408 nm (6,312 km) |
| High-speed cruise | 470 kts (Mach 0.82) | 528 kts (Mach 0.92) (best) |
| Long-range cruise | 424 kts | 470 kts (Mach 0.82) (best) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.85 | Mach 0.935 (best) |
| Maximum altitude | 41,000 ft | 51,000 ft (best) |
| Take-off distance | 5,640 ft | 5,250 ft (best) |
| Landing distance | 2,402 ft (best) | 3,330 ft |
| Cabin | ||
| Typical charter seats | 10 (best) | 8 |
| Maximum seats | 12 | 12 |
| Beds (typical layout) | 6 | Not published |
| Cabin zones | 2 | Not published |
| Cabin length | 25 ft 7 in (7.80 m) (best) | 25 ft 2 in (7.67 m) |
| Cabin width | 7 ft 11 in (2.41 m) (best) | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Cabin height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) (best) | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Cabin volume | 1,146 cu ft (best) | 538 cu ft |
| Baggage | 115 cu ft, reachable in flight (best) | 82 cu ft |
| Engines and weights | ||
| Engines | 2 × GE CF34-3B | 2 × Rolls-Royce AE3007C2 |
| Thrust per engine | 9,220 lbf | 7,034 lbf |
| Maximum take-off weight | 48,200 lb | 36,600 lb |
| Fuel capacity | 19,852 lb | 12,931 lb |
| Price and ownership | ||
| First delivered | 1996 | 2014 |
| In production | Yes | No |
| New price | $32.4M (2024) | $23.7M (2015) |
| Pre-owned price | $19.0M to $25.0M | $7M to $13M |
| Operating cost per hour | $11,815 | $7,021 |
| Charter fleet | ||
| On the US charter list | 205 aircraft (best) | 138 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.
Both aircraft at a glance
Bombardier Challenger 604 / 605 / 650
- Seats
- 10 (max 12)
- Range
- 4,000 nm
- Cabin
- 1,146 cu ft
- In production
- Yes
- Charter fleet
- 205 in the US
US operators: NetJets Aviation, Solairus Aviation, Executive Jet Management
Challenger 650 specs, interior and price →
Cessna Citation X+
- Seats
- 8 (max 12)
- Range
- 3,408 nm
- Cabin
- 538 cu ft
- In production
- No
- Charter fleet
- 138 in the US
US operators: Jet Excellence, Baker Aviation, Charter Airlines
Citation X+ specs, interior and price →Compare with other super-midsize jets
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 Citation X+?+
The Challenger 650 flies further: 4,000 nm against 3,408 nm for the Citation X+.
Which has the bigger cabin, the Challenger 650 or the Citation X+?+
The Challenger 650 has the bigger cabin: 1,146 cu ft against 538 cu ft for the Citation X+.
Which is faster, the Challenger 650 or the Citation X+?+
The Citation X+ is faster at high-speed cruise: 528 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 8 for the Citation X+.
Which costs more to buy, the Challenger 650 or the Citation X+?+
Pre-owned, the Challenger 650 sells for about $19.0 million to $25.0 million (October 2026) and the Citation X+ for about $7 million to $13 million (2026-06). New, they listed at $32.4 million (2024) and $23.7 million (2015).
Which is easier to charter in the US?+
205 Challenger 650 and 138 Citation X+ are on the US Part 135 charter list today. Both charter at super-midsize jet rates; availability on your dates decides the price.
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
- AOPA Pilot, Citation X+ flight report (March 2015)
- Aviation Safety Network: Cessna 750 Citation X occurrences
- ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator methodology: 3.16 kg of CO2 per kg of jet fuel
- GlobalAir.com, Citation X+ specifications and Operating Cost Report (Oct 2026)
- CRAFT: Cessna Citation X+ ownership and operating costs (fuel price Oct 2026)
- Textron Aviation release via AviationPros: Citation X+ sets coast-to-coast speed record (Oct 2014)
- NTSB final report ERA24FA338, Cessna 750 N750GB, Jamestown NY (Aug 2024)
- Airport Technology: Cessna Citation X+ business jet
- Textron Aviation press release: Citation X+ receives FAA certification (June 2014), via Airframer
- Australian Aviation: Citation X+ certified (Jun 2014)
- Wikipedia: Cessna Citation X (X+ range quoted at Mach 0.82 cruise, FL450)
- AIN, Cessna's Citation X+ earns FAA approval (June 2014)
- AIN: Accidents, April 2012 (Citation X, Egelsbach, 1 March 2012)
- Swiss Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau: Final report No. 1827, Cessna 750 N999CX (Dec 2004)
- Guardian Jet spec sheet, Cessna Citation X S/N 750-0225 (2004)
- Aircraft.com listing, 2007 Cessna Citation X S/N 750-0267
- Guardian Jet spec sheet, Cessna Citation X+ S/N 750-0525 (2016)
- AircraftExchange listing, 2018 Cessna Citation X+ S/N 750-528
- Guardian Jet spec sheet, Cessna Citation X S/N 750-0042 (1998)
- Business Jet Traveler: Cessna Citation X+ (Mar 2020)
- Bombardier: Global 8000 entry into service (Dec 2025)
- Business Jet Traveler, Cessna Citation X+ aircraft page (updated June 2026)
- Textron Aviation release via Airframer: Cessna Citation X+ receives FAA certification (Jun 2014)
- AIN, Textron to cease production of Cessna Citation X+ (June 2018)
- Magellan Jets: 5 things you didn't know about the Citation X (sustained cruise of Mach 0.92)
- EASA TCDS EASA.IM.A.097, Cessna 750 (Citation X), Issue 03 (2016)
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