Bombardier Challenger 300 vs Bombardier Global Express

The Bombardier Challenger 300 and Global Express share a parent company and a common philosophy of building genuinely capable aircraft — but they are separated by every other meaningful metric. The Challenger 300 is a super-midsize introduced in 2003 with Honeywell AS907-1-1A engines — ten passengers, 3,100 nm range, and a flat-floor cabin that Bombardier positioned directly against the Citation Sovereign and Gulfstream G200. The Global Express is Bombardier's ultra-long-range flagship, introduced in 1996 with Rolls-Royce BR710A2-20 engines — sixteen passengers, 6,000 nm range, a truly stand-up walk-around cabin, and a price reflecting all of it. The cross-shop exists only when a buyer is genuinely weighing super-midsize economics against ultra-long-range capability.

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 Global Express
For sale now
34
Median asking
$9,622,500
Range
$6,722,750–$14,100,000
Model years available
2000–2011

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 Global Express
Bombardier Challenger 300
View 41 listings →
Median $11,954,912
 Bombardier Global Express
View 36 listings →
Median $9,622,500
Price Range $5,201,473 – $14,063,250 $6,722,750 – $14,100,000
Category Super-Midsize Jet Ultra-Long Range Jet
Model Specifications
Seats 10 16
Cruise Speed 450 kts (833 km/h) 481 kts (891 km/h)
Range 3,100 nm (5,741 km) 5,900 nm (10,927 km)
Service Ceiling 45,000 ft (13,716 m) 51,000 ft (15,545 m)
Max Gross Weight 38,850 lbs (17,622 kg) 93,500 lbs (42,412 kg)
Useful Load 9,500 lbs (4,309 kg) 24,000 lbs (10,886 kg)
Fuel Capacity 1,430.0 gal (5413 L) 5,560.0 gal (21045 L)
Fuel Burn 260.0 GPH (984 L/h) 370.0 GPH (1400 L/h)
TBO 5,000 hrs 7,500 hrs
Overhaul Cost $700,000 $1,500,000
Annual Fixed $500,000 $1,100,000
Hourly Variable $3,500 $6,000
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 Global Express

Fuel$2,035/hr
Variable$6,000/hr
Annual Fixed$1,100,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $2,300,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Bombardier Challenger 300 or Bombardier Global Express?

Bottom line: Choose the Challenger 300 for super-midsize mission coverage at markedly lower acquisition and operating cost — the 300's $10–15M market price versus the Global Express at $25–45M is a capital allocation question that favors the 300 for operations not requiring ultra-long range. The 300's modern avionics, strong Bombardier support network, and efficient cabin make it one of the more desirable super-midsize choices available. Choose the Global Express for range and cabin that the Challenger 300 structurally cannot provide — the Global Express's 6,000 nm range opens the US-Asia and intercontinental routes that define ultra-long-range travel. Its cabin, at full stand-up height with a separate stateroom option, is a different product category. Safety axis: both aircraft are FAR Part 25 twin-engine certified jets with Bombardier's full engineering and support. The Global Express's higher gross weight and more complex systems require a higher pilot training investment; first-in-type GX pilots should expect longer initial qualification programs.

Pick the Challenger 300 if…

  • Budget matters — from $5,201,473 vs $6,722,750, you save ~$1,521,277.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$3500/hr vs $6000/hr.
  • Newer design — production from 2004 vs 1999.
  • More inventory — 41 listings vs 36.

Pick the Global Express if…

  • More seats — 16 vs 10.
  • Faster cruise — 481 kts vs 450 kts.
  • Longer range — 5900 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 replaced the Global Express in Bombardier's lineup?
The Bombardier Global 6000 is the direct successor to the Global Express — same basic airframe concept (the Global Express XRS evolved into the 6000 branding), updated avionics (Rockwell Collins Vision flight deck), and improved cabin appointments. Bombardier later added the Global 7500 as a distinct ultra-long-range flagship, establishing the "7500 nm+" range category. The Global Express XRS (Extended Range) appeared between the original Global Express and the 6000 branding, adding more range and interior improvements.
What engines does the Global Express use?
The original Global Express uses Rolls-Royce BR710A2-20 turbofan engines, rated at 14,750 lbf each. This is the same engine family (BR710) used in the Gulfstream G550 and G450, giving both jets access to a broad Rolls-Royce service network. The Challenger 300 uses Honeywell AS907-1-1A (also known as Honeywell HTF7000 family) engines, a distinctly different platform.
How many passengers can the Global Express carry compared to the Challenger 300?
The Global Express in typical configuration seats twelve to fourteen passengers in dual-zone layout, with a stateroom-forward option for long-haul missions. The Challenger 300 seats eight to ten passengers in its standard configuration. The Global Express's larger passenger count and stateroom option make it the choice for executives who need productive long-haul travel environments; the Challenger 300 serves shorter-range group missions more efficiently.
Which is better, Bombardier Challenger 300 or Bombardier Global Express?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Challenger 300 cruises at 450 kts with 3,100 nm range. The Global Express cruises at 481 kts with 5,900 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 Global Express?
Challenger 300 engine: Honeywell HTF7000. Global Express engine: Grumman;General Electric BR710A2-20;Passport. Seats: 10 vs 16. Cruise: 450 vs 481 kts. Range: 3100 vs 5900 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Challenger 300: about $3500/hr variable cost. Global Express: about $6000/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. Global Express: 16 seats / 24,000 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. Global Express: 7,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$1,500,000. 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