Compare super-midsize jets
Bombardier Challenger 604 / 605 / 650 vs Dassault Falcon 50 / 50EX
The Challenger 650 flies further: 4,000 nm against 3,260 nm for the Falcon 50. The Challenger 650 has the bigger cabin: 1,146 cu ft against 700 cu ft for the Falcon 50. The Falcon 50 is faster at high-speed cruise: 480 kts against 470 kts for the Challenger 650.
The short answer
Challenger 650 or Falcon 50?
Which flies further, the Challenger 650 or the Falcon 50?
The Challenger 650 flies further: 4,000 nm against 3,260 nm for the Falcon 50.
Which has the bigger cabin, the Challenger 650 or the Falcon 50?
The Challenger 650 has the bigger cabin: 1,146 cu ft against 700 cu ft for the Falcon 50.
Which is faster, the Challenger 650 or the Falcon 50?
The Falcon 50 is faster at high-speed cruise: 480 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 Falcon 50.
Which costs more to buy, the Challenger 650 or the Falcon 50?
Pre-owned, the Challenger 650 sells for about $19.0 million to $25.0 million (October 2026) and the Falcon 50 for about $2.5 million to $5.3 million (October 2026). New, they listed at $32.4 million (2024) and $21.1 million (2006).
Which is easier to charter in the US?
205 Challenger 650 and 55 Falcon 50 are on the US Part 135 charter list today. Both charter at super-midsize jet rates; availability on your dates decides the price.
Side by side
Challenger 650 vs Falcon 50 specifications
Verified figures, checked October 2026. Fleet counts from the FAA Part 135 list (2 September 2026).
| Specification | Challenger 650 Bombardier | Falcon 50 Dassault |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Range | 4,000 nm (7,408 km) (best) | 3,260 nm (6,038 km) |
| High-speed cruise | 470 kts (Mach 0.82) | 480 kts (best) |
| Long-range cruise | 424 kts | 430 kts (Mach 0.75) (best) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.85 | Mach 0.86 (best) |
| Maximum altitude | 41,000 ft | 49,000 ft (best) |
| Take-off distance | 5,640 ft | 4,935 ft (best) |
| Landing distance | 2,402 ft (best) | 3,500 ft |
| Cabin | ||
| Typical charter seats | 10 (best) | 9 |
| Maximum seats | 12 (best) | 10 |
| Beds (typical layout) | 6 (best) | 3 |
| Cabin zones | 2 | 2 |
| Cabin length | 25 ft 7 in (7.80 m) (best) | 23 ft 6 in (7.16 m) |
| Cabin width | 7 ft 11 in (2.41 m) (best) | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Cabin height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) (best) | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Cabin volume | 1,146 cu ft (best) | 700 cu ft |
| Baggage | 115 cu ft, reachable in flight | 115 cu ft |
| Engines and weights | ||
| Engines | 2 × GE CF34-3B | 3 × Honeywell TFE731-40 |
| Thrust per engine | 9,220 lbf | 3,704 lbf |
| Maximum take-off weight | 48,200 lb | 39,700 lb |
| Fuel capacity | 19,852 lb | 15,520 lb |
| Price and ownership | ||
| First delivered | 1996 | 1997 |
| In production | Yes | No |
| New price | $32.4M (2024) | $21.1M (2006) |
| Pre-owned price | $19.0M to $25.0M | $2.5M to $5.3M |
| Operating cost per hour | $11,815 | $9,525 |
| Charter fleet | ||
| On the US charter list | 205 aircraft (best) | 55 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
- 205 in the US
US operators: NetJets Aviation, Solairus Aviation, Executive Jet Management
Challenger 650 specs, interior and price →
Dassault
Dassault Falcon 50 / 50EX
- Seats
- 9 (max 10)
- Range
- 3,260 nm
- Cabin
- 700 cu ft
- In production
- No
- Charter fleet
- 55 in the US
US operators: Century Aviation, Fuga, Justice Air
Falcon 50 specs, interior and price →More comparisons
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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 Falcon 50?+
The Challenger 650 flies further: 4,000 nm against 3,260 nm for the Falcon 50.
Which has the bigger cabin, the Challenger 650 or the Falcon 50?+
The Challenger 650 has the bigger cabin: 1,146 cu ft against 700 cu ft for the Falcon 50.
Which is faster, the Challenger 650 or the Falcon 50?+
The Falcon 50 is faster at high-speed cruise: 480 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 Falcon 50.
Which costs more to buy, the Challenger 650 or the Falcon 50?+
Pre-owned, the Challenger 650 sells for about $19.0 million to $25.0 million (October 2026) and the Falcon 50 for about $2.5 million to $5.3 million (October 2026). New, they listed at $32.4 million (2024) and $21.1 million (2006).
Which is easier to charter in the US?+
205 Challenger 650 and 55 Falcon 50 are on the US Part 135 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
- Aviation Safety Network: Dassault Falcon 50 (FA50) occurrences
- Dassault Aviation: Falcon 50 heritage page, Falcon 50 EX section (Oct 2026): range 3,260 nm at Mach 0.75
- Dassault Falcon: Falcon 900LX specifications (Oct 2026): 4,750 nm, cabin 33.20 ft long, 92 in wide, 74 in tall, three TFE731-60 of 5,000 lb, up to 12 to 14 passengers
- GlobalAir: Falcon 50-40 specifications (Oct 2026): conversion of the Falcon 50 to TFE 731-40 engines, about 200 nm more range
- Aviation Week: London's downtown airport okays Falcon 50 (Dec 1996): approved with an approach angle of no less than 5.5 degrees
- Holstein Aviation: 2006 Falcon 50EX S/N 346 N346EX specifications (Apr 2026): 10 passengers, forward double club, aft club opposite four-place divan, Avance L5
- FAA: Type Certificate Data Sheet A46EU, Revision 13 (Feb 2006): maximum operating altitude 49,000 ft for S/N 156 and on; GlobalAir and CRAFT give 49,000 ft for the 50EX
- CRAFT: Dassault Falcon 50EX ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026): $9,525 an hour at 200 hours a year, $1,905,040 a year
- GlobalAir: Falcon 50EX specifications (Oct 2026): cabin volume 700 cu ft
- Luxaviation: Falcon 50EX F-HCDD charter sheet (Mar 2020): three single beds at night, one lavatory, baggage not accessible in flight, no Wi-Fi
- Wikipedia: Dassault Falcon 50: 352 built 1976 to 2008, 100 of them 50EXs (S/N 253 to 352)
- AIN: Total CEO killed in Moscow Falcon 50EX crash (Oct 2014): Unijet Falcon 50EX F-GLSA, four killed
- Jet Aviva: 1997 Falcon 50EX S/N 253 N6AK eBrochure (Dec 2023): 9 passengers, forward double club, aft club opposite three-place divan, forward galley, aft lavatory, Gogo Wi-Fi
- Guardian Jet: Falcon 50EX S/N 303 N902TB specifications (Feb 2020): 8 passengers, forward and aft four-place clubs, crew-only jump seat, aft lavatory
- Controller: 1997 Falcon 50EX S/N 258 listing (Oct 2026): 9 passengers, full forward galley with oven and microwave, fully enclosed aft lavatory
- Omni Jet: 2000 Falcon 50EX S/N 290 N68YB brochure (2025): right-side forward galley, aft lavatory, Gogo Biz ATG-4000 Wi-Fi, Aviation Partners blended winglets
- Business Jet Traveler: Dassault Falcon 50EX (Nov 2016, updated Jun 2026): typical passengers 9; GlobalAir lists 9 standard
- AIN: Airport staff, ATC, pilots implicated in fatal Falcon crash (Oct 2016), on the Interstate Aviation Committee final report on Falcon 50EX F-GLSA
- NTSB: Aviation accident final report ERA18FA264, Dassault Falcon 50 N114TD, Greenville Downtown Airport, 27 Sep 2018
- EASA: Type Certificate Data Sheet EASA.A.062, MF50/MF900/Falcon 900EX, Issue 10 (Sep 2026): Falcon 50EX is a commercial designation for Falcon 50 aircraft with modifications M1810 (TFE 731-40), M1939, M1890 (EFIS), M1940, M2159 and M1200; certified November 1996
- GlobalAir: Falcon 50 aircraft for sale (Oct 2026): 1984 Falcon 50 S/N 138, N903CS, asking $2,450,000
- GlobalAir: Falcon 50EX aircraft for sale (Oct 2026): 1999 Falcon 50EX S/N 279, N58HL, asking $5,250,000; other asks $3.75 million to $5.095 million
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