Bombardier Challenger 650 Charter

Bombardier launched the Challenger 650 in 2015 as the third-generation refresh of the 604/605 line — same fuselage, same wing, uprated GE CF34-3B1 engines with more thrust and better hot-and-high performance, a redesigned Nuage-style cabin and Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced avionics with synthetic vision. The 650 remains in current production and is the flagship of Bombardier's wide-cabin heavy-jet line, sitting between the super-midsize Challenger 3500 and the ultra-long-range Global family.

For charter the 650 is the most contemporary wide-cabin heavy jet available with Bombardier's service network — the newest cabin, the best avionics and the most refined systems on a proven, mature airframe. It sits directly against the Gulfstream G450 (out of production but plentiful on charter) and the Falcon 2000LX/S in the eight-to-twelve-passenger transatlantic segment.

Cabin dimensions match the 604/605: 28 feet 3 inches long, 8 feet 2 inches wide and 6 feet 1 inch tall. The 650 introduced a redesigned interior architecture with contemporary trim, updated sidewall design, larger galley, LED wash lighting and Ka-band Wi-Fi as standard. Standard layout is a nine-passenger double-club plus three-place divan; charter builds seat ten to twelve with forward crew rest and a full galley with hot food, oven and espresso.

Cabin management is Rockwell Collins Venue with HD monitors, cabin display panels, cabin voice control (Bluetooth device pairing), and 4K bulkhead displays on late-production aircraft. Baggage volume is 115 cubic feet in an externally accessed heated hold. The lavatory is fully enclosed with vanity, natural light and belted seat.

Twin GE CF34-3B1 engines deliver 9,220 pounds of thrust each with improved hot-and-high performance. Maximum operating Mach is 0.85; long-range cruise Mach 0.80. Certified ceiling is FL410. NBAA IFR range with eight passengers is 4,000 nautical miles. Enough for New York to Paris, London to Dubai, coast-to-coast US or Los Angeles to Honolulu with reserves.

Balanced field length at MTOW is 5,640 ft — improved over the 605 thanks to engine upgrades. Landing distance is 2,325 ft. Hot-and-high performance is meaningfully better than the 605.

Charter hourly rates run $9,500–$11,500 in North America; €10,000–€12,500 in Europe. Empty-leg availability is moderate — fleet is younger and smaller than the 605. Indicative pricing: New York to London from $85,000; London to Dubai from £68,000; Aspen to New York from $42,000.

Against the 605 the 650 offers modern avionics, updated cabin, uprated engines and better hot-and-high performance at 15 per cent higher cost. Against the G450 the 650 offers a wider cabin at comparable cost with a smaller service network. Against the Falcon 2000LX the 650 wins on cabin volume, gives up on runway performance and fuel burn.

Charter the 650 when premium wide-cabin heavy-jet capability is decisive — eight to twelve passengers, transatlantic or transcontinental sectors, modern cabin experience and contemporary avionics. It is the current top of the Challenger heavy line.

Prefer the 605 for 15 per cent lower cost on the same airframe, or a G500/G600 for extended range and Gulfstream service network. For clients wanting the newest Bombardier heavy cabin without moving to a Global, the 650 is the aircraft.