Bombardier Challenger 300 vs Bombardier Challenger 601

The Bombardier Challenger 601 and Challenger 300 both carry the Challenger name, but they represent two different generations and two different design philosophies of what "Challenger" means. The Challenger 601 (first flown 1982, from the Canadair CL-600 lineage) is a large-cabin jet — fifteen-passenger capacity, wide cabin with stand-up headroom, and General Electric CF34-3A engines — that was built for the operator who wanted an airline-quality cabin in a business jet. The Challenger 300 (2003) is a super-midsize with Honeywell AS907 engines and ten-seat capacity, built on a clean-sheet design philosophy that prioritized high cruise speed, modern avionics, and operational efficiency over maximum cabin volume. The cross-shop arises when buyers compare a larger older aircraft against a smaller but more modern one.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Bombardier Challenger 300
For sale now
42
Model years available
2004–2013
Bombardier Challenger 601
For sale now
26
Model years available
1982–1995

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Bombardier Challenger 300 Bombardier Challenger 601
Bombardier Challenger 300
View 41 listings →
Median $11,954,912
 Bombardier Challenger 601
View 25 listings →
Median $1,750,000
Price Range $5,201,473 – $14,063,250 $325,862 – $2,662,500
Category Super-Midsize Jet Large Cabin Jet
Model Specifications
Seats 10 12
Cruise Speed 450 kts (833 km/h) 435 kts (806 km/h)
Range 3,100 nm (5,741 km) 3,500 nm (6,482 km)
Service Ceiling 45,000 ft (13,716 m) 41,000 ft (12,497 m)
Max Gross Weight 38,850 lbs (17,622 kg) 45,100 lbs (20,457 kg)
Useful Load 9,500 lbs (4,309 kg) 12,000 lbs (5,443 kg)
Fuel Capacity 1,430.0 gal (5413 L) 2,540.0 gal (9614 L)
Fuel Burn 260.0 GPH (984 L/h) 300.0 GPH (1136 L/h)
TBO 5,000 hrs 5,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $700,000 $900,000
Annual Fixed $500,000 $600,000
Hourly Variable $3,500 $4,200
Engines 2 x Turbofan 2 x Turbofan

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Bombardier Challenger 300

Fuel$1,430/hr
Variable$3,500/hr
Annual Fixed$500,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $1,200,000/yr

Bombardier Challenger 601

Fuel$1,650/hr
Variable$4,200/hr
Annual Fixed$600,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $1,440,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Bombardier Challenger 300 or Bombardier Challenger 601?

Bottom line: Choose the Challenger 300 for modern avionics, better fuel efficiency, and a design philosophy that produces measurably lower per-hour operating costs than the 601. The AS907 engines are fuel-efficient and have strong support; the 300's avionics are modern enough to operate comfortably into the next decade. Choose the Challenger 601 for raw cabin volume — the 601's wide-body-inspired cross-section and stand-up headroom make it the choice when fifteen-passenger capacity or a truly sprawling cabin layout defines the mission. The 601's GE CF34-3A engines have excellent support through GE and authorized MRO; the Challenger 601 is a proven platform with decades of fleet data. Safety axis: the Challenger 300's modern avionics architecture (Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 with EGPWS, TCAS II, SVS) provides better situational awareness tools than the 601's vintage avionics package. Both are FAR Part 25 certified aircraft; the 300's more modern design is simply better equipped for crew workload reduction.

Pick the Challenger 300 if…

  • Lower operating cost — ~$3500/hr vs $4200/hr.
  • Faster cruise — 450 kts vs 435 kts.
  • Newer design — production from 2004 vs 1983.
  • More inventory — 41 listings vs 25.

Pick the Challenger 601 if…

  • Budget matters — from $325,862 vs $5,201,473, you save ~$4,875,611.
  • More seats — 12 vs 10.
  • Longer range — 3500 nm vs 3100 nm.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Challenger 601 derived from?
The Challenger 601 descends from the Canadair CL-600 Challenger, originally designed by Bill Lear himself before Canadair (later acquired by Bombardier) took over development. The CL-600 was notable for its wide-body fuselage — inspired by Lear's vision of a cabin wide enough for true executive travel. The 601 introduced GE CF34 turbofan engines, replacing the early CL-600's Avco Lycoming ALF 502. The Challenger 601 subsequently evolved into the 604, 605, and 650.
Does the Challenger 601 have stand-up headroom?
Yes — one of the Challenger 601's defining characteristics is its wide-body cabin with 6-foot headroom, allowing passengers to stand and move freely throughout the cabin. The fuselage cross-section (8'2" width) is comparable to small airliners. The Challenger 300's cabin, while comfortable, is narrower (7'2") with approximately 5'10" headroom — a step down in cabin presence that matters for long international missions.
What are the range differences between the Challenger 601 and 300?
The Challenger 601 achieves approximately 3,100–3,300 nm NBAA IFR range; the Challenger 300 is rated at 3,100 nm. The ranges are similar, which makes the cabin-size and avionics-generation differences the deciding factors. Neither aircraft is an ultra-long-range platform — both serve the transatlantic (with favorable conditions) and domestic long-haul segments.
Which is better, Bombardier Challenger 300 or Bombardier Challenger 601?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Challenger 300 cruises at 450 kts with 3,100 nm range. The Challenger 601 cruises at 435 kts with 3,500 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Bombardier Challenger 300 and Bombardier Challenger 601?
Challenger 300 engine: Honeywell HTF7000. Challenger 601 engine: General Electric CF34-1A. Seats: 10 vs 12. Cruise: 450 vs 435 kts. Range: 3100 vs 3500 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Challenger 300: about $3500/hr variable cost. Challenger 601: about $4200/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Challenger 300: 10 seats / 9,500 lb useful load. Challenger 601: 12 seats / 12,000 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Challenger 300: 5,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$700,000. Challenger 601: 5,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$900,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data