Bombardier Challenger 605 vs Dassault Falcon 900

Three engines or two? That is the first thing separating the Dassault Falcon 900 and the Bombardier Challenger 605, two large-cabin jets that land on the same used shortlists. The Falcon 900 is Dassault's trijet — fighter-derived, at home on long oceanic legs and out of hot, high or short runways. The Challenger 605 is the twin answer: a famously wide stand-up cabin, a durable airframe and the simpler economics of two engines instead of three. Where each trades on the used market, and in what numbers, is below.

Live Market Snapshot

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

Bombardier Challenger 605
For sale now
19
Model years available
2007–2023
Dassault Falcon 900
For sale now
20
Model years available
1988–2013

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

Safety Record

Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.

NTSB (1982–now)Bombardier Challenger 605Dassault Falcon 900
All events—2
Serious—1
Fatal—1
Fatalities—6
% Fatal—50%
View full Bombardier Challenger 605 NTSB record →View full Dassault Falcon 900 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Bombardier Challenger 605 Dassault Falcon 900
Bombardier Challenger 605
View 21 listings →
Median $12,000,000
Median $7,475,000
Price Range $12,000,000 $5,175,750 – $20,862,500
Category Large Cabin Jet —
Model Specifications
Seats 12 14
Cruise Speed 450 kts (833 km/h) 459 kts (850 km/h)
Range 4,045 nm (7,491 km) 4,750 nm (8,797 km)
Service Ceiling 41,000 ft (12,497 m) 51,000 ft (15,545 m)
Max Gross Weight 48,200 lbs (21,864 kg) 49,000 lbs (22,226 kg)
Useful Load 13,000 lbs (5,897 kg) 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg)
Fuel Capacity 2,850.0 gal (10787 L) 3,190.0 gal (12074 L)
Fuel Burn 310.0 GPH (1173 L/h) 330.0 GPH (1249 L/h)
TBO 5,000 hrs 5,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $600,000 $1,100,000
Annual Fixed $650,000 $700,000
Hourly Variable $3,900 $4,500
Engines 2 x Turbofan 3 x Turbofan

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Bombardier Challenger 605

Fuel$1,705/hr
Variable$3,900/hr
Annual Fixed$650,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $1,430,000/yr

Dassault Falcon 900

Fuel$1,815/hr
Variable$4,500/hr
Annual Fixed$700,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $1,600,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Bombardier Challenger 605 or Dassault Falcon 900?

Bottom line: Choose the Falcon 900 for reach and flexibility — three Honeywell turbofans, transoceanic range and the field performance that makes its trijet layout a genuine advantage in demanding operations. Choose the Challenger 605 for cabin and value — a wide flat-floor cabin among the roomiest in class, proven GE CF34 engines, and lower fuel and maintenance from running two engines rather than three. On safety the Falcon's signature is that third engine — extra margin on oceanic crossings and out of hot-and-high airports that no twin can match — while the Challenger answers with two reliable turbofans and one less engine to feed and maintain. In the end it is a question of three engines and global reach, or the widest cabin in the class.

Pick the Challenger 605 if…

  • Lower operating cost — ~$3900/hr vs $4500/hr.
  • Newer design — production from 2007 vs 1986.

Pick the Falcon 900 if…

  • Budget matters — from $5,175,750 vs $12,000,000, you save ~$6,824,250.
  • More seats — 14 vs 12.
  • Faster cruise — 459 kts vs 450 kts.
  • Longer range — 4750 nm vs 4045 nm.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Falcon 900 have three engines?
The trijet layout adds an engine-out margin on long over-water flights and improves performance from hot, high or short runways. It is Dassault's signature; the Challenger 605 flies its mission on two engines at lower operating cost.
Which has the bigger cabin?
The Challenger 605 — its wide, flat-floor cabin is among the roomiest in the class. The Falcon 900's cabin is large as well, but the Challenger's width is a defining selling point.
Which costs less to operate?
Generally the Challenger 605 — two engines burn and cost less to maintain than three. The Falcon 900's third engine buys range, redundancy and runway flexibility, at a higher running cost.
Which is better, Bombardier Challenger 605 or Dassault Falcon 900?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Challenger 605 cruises at 450 kts with 4,045 nm range. The Falcon 900 cruises at 459 kts with 4,750 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 605 and Dassault Falcon 900?
Challenger 605 engine: General Electric CF34-3B. Falcon 900 engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C. Seats: 12 vs 14. Cruise: 450 vs 459 kts. Range: 4045 vs 4750 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Challenger 605: about $3900/hr variable cost. Falcon 900: about $4500/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 605: 12 seats / 13,000 lb useful load. Falcon 900: 14 seats / 14,000 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 605: 5,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$600,000. Falcon 900: 5,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$1,100,000. 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