Challenger 300/350
Bombardier's Challenger 300/350 is a twin-engine super-midsize jet seating ten in a flat-floor cabin 28.3 feet long, 7.2 feet wide, and 6.1 feet tall. That 7.2-foot width is nearly a foot greater than the super-midsize category average of 6.3 feet. A Wi-Fi-equipped galley and enclosed lavatory are standard equipment.
With 179 aircraft on US Part 135 certificates across 61 operators, the type has strong charter market depth. Jet Select LLC operates 46 of those aircraft, the largest single-operator fleet by a significant margin. Solairus Aviation manages 8, Wheels Up Private Jets 4, and Jet Aviation Flight Services 4. At 3,200 nautical miles and 470 knots, the aircraft covers the US mainland coast-to-coast and can reach Western Europe from the northeastern US with fuel planning. Service ceiling is 45,000 feet.
Charter rates run $5,550 to $5,950 per hour. Used Challenger 350s trade between $15 million and $27 million depending on vintage and condition; new aircraft list around $22 million. The Citation X is the most common cross-shop: it covers similar range at higher speed (527 ktas vs 470 ktas) but flies a narrower cabin and seats nine. The Hawker 4000 carries eight passengers in a comparable bracket with 3,280nm range, but only 14 are active on Part 135 certificates versus 179 Challengers.
Specs at a glance
Interior & cabin
| Passengers | 10 |
| Cabin length | 28.3 ft |
| Cabin width | 7.2 ft |
| Cabin height | 6.1 ft (stand-up) |
| Baggage volume | 106 cu ft |
| Lavatory | Fully enclosed |
| Galley | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Available on most aircraft |
| Cabin floor | Flat, walk-around |
The Challenger 300/350 carries a stand-up cabin — 6.1 ft tall, 7.2 ft wide. Adults move around without crouching. A fully enclosed lavatory makes it workable for longer legs. Connectivity varies by tail — most operators in this fleet have at least one Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft, but confirm before booking if you need to work in the air.
Operator floor plans vary. Some Challenger 300/350 cabins are configured with a divan that drops the headcount by one or two seats; confirm the layout with the operator before booking.
Range & performance
| Range | 3,200 nm |
| Max cruise | 470 ktas |
| Typical cruise | ~400 ktas |
| Service ceiling | 45,000 ft |
At 3,200 nm, the Challenger 300/350 crosses the US coast-to-coast non-stop with a full cabin and reserves. Cross-Atlantic flights typically need a fuel stop.
Distances are real great-circle nautical miles from the selected hub. Angular positions are spaced for readability, not actual bearings. Range envelope assumes no wind and a full passenger load.
Charter cost per hour
Charter the Challenger 300/350 at roughly $7,500–$12,500 per flight hour, depending on how far ahead you book. Super Midsize jets like this carry 8–12 passengers; the per-seat math improves sharply as you fill the cabin.
Rates are flight-hour pricing. Total cost depends on round-trip vs. one-way, positioning, fuel surcharges, and taxes (~15% on top of base). Run the math on your trip →
History
Bombardier launched development of the aircraft, then called the Continental, at the 1999 Paris Air Show. The Challenger 300 made its first flight on August 14, 2001. Canadian type approval followed on May 31, 2003, and commercial operations began January 8, 2004. Production of the 300 ran through 2014, with 457 aircraft completed.
The Challenger 350 first flew on March 2, 2013 and received approval on June 11, 2014. By 2019, the 350 had reached 300 deliveries faster than any other mid-size or large business jet on record. The 350th delivery came in July 2020. The combined 300/350/3500 family crossed 1,000 total deliveries in early 2025. The current variant, the Challenger 3500, updates the cabin layout and connectivity package while retaining the same fuselage and type certificate.
Ideal For
- Eight to ten passengers on long domestic routes: New York to Los Angeles (2,450nm), Dallas to Seattle (1,660nm), or Miami to New York (1,260nm)
- Four-hour-plus flights where the flat-floor cabin, full stand-up headroom, enclosed lavatory, and galley reduce travel fatigue
- Eastern US to North Atlantic destinations: Boston to Shannon, Ireland is approximately 2,900nm, within the 3,200nm range; routes to London or Paris typically require a fuel stop
- Corporate and charter groups that want super-midsize pricing with a cabin width closer to large-jet proportions
- Managed-fleet and fractional programs where Wi-Fi, galley, and consistent cabin specifications are baseline requirements
- Charter operators building fleet depth: with 61 Part 135 operators running the type, parts support and maintenance coverage are wide
Challenger 300/350 vs Super Midsize Average
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charter a Challenger 300 or 350?
Charter rates typically run $5,550 to $5,950 per hour. A transcontinental New York to Los Angeles flight (approximately 5.5 hours block time) generally totals $32,000 to $36,000 before taxes and fees.
What is the difference between the Challenger 300 and the Challenger 350?
Bombardier built the Challenger 300 from 2004 through 2014, manufacturing 457 aircraft. The 350, approved in 2014, includes modest aerodynamic and interior refinements. Both share the same fuselage dimensions and basic structure. The Challenger 3500, the current production model, adds a redesigned cabin and updated connectivity options.
How does the Challenger 350 compare to the Citation X?
The Citation X is faster at 527 knots versus 470 knots and has a slightly longer published range (3,460nm vs 3,200nm). The Challenger 350 has a wider cabin at 7.2 feet versus the Citation X's narrower cross-section, and carries ten passengers versus nine. Charter customers who prioritize cabin volume tend to choose the Challenger; those focused on speed choose the Citation X. The Citation X fleet is larger in the US at 119 aircraft versus 179 Challengers on Part 135 certificates.
Can the Challenger 350 fly nonstop from the US East Coast to Europe?
Some routes are within range, others are not. Boston to Shannon, Ireland is approximately 2,900nm — manageable with the 3,200nm range. New York to London (3,459nm) or Paris (3,624nm) exceeds the published figure and typically requires a fuel stop in Reykjavik or Gander. Headwinds on westbound crossings add further constraint.
Who are the largest Challenger 300/350 charter operators in the US?
Jet Select LLC operates 46 aircraft, the largest fleet among US Part 135 certificate holders. Solairus Aviation (8 aircraft), Wheels Up Private Jets (4), and Jet Aviation Flight Services (4) also offer the type in managed programs. The 61-operator fleet spread means the aircraft appears regularly on empty leg markets across the country.
Available Empty Legs on Challenger 300/350s
Challenger 300/350s for Charter (179) Page 4 of 4
Where Challenger 300/350s actually fly
ADS-B-tracked flights from the trailing 90 days. Numbers cover aircraft on our charter database; private corporate fleets and operators using PIA registration are not in this count. Methodology →
Top routes
Busiest origins
| Teterboro (KTEB) | 617 |
| White Plains (KHPN) | 231 |
| West Palm Beach (KPBI) | 229 |
| Dulles (KIAD) | 202 |
| Scottsdale (KSDL) | 200 |
| Las Vegas (KLAS) | 197 |
| Miami (KOPF) | 197 |
| Van Nuys (KVNY) | 188 |
| Boca Raton (KBCT) | 175 |
| Miami (KMIA) | 169 |
Most active operators
| Operator | Aircraft | Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Jet Select, LLC | 46 | 4,556 |
| Executive Flight Services, LLC | 14 | 1,200 |
| Craft Charter, LLC | 3 | 379 |
| SC Aviation, Inc. | 3 | 315 |
| Wheels Up Private Jets LLC | 3 | 286 |
| Sunset Aviation LLC | 8 | 265 |
| L. J. Associates, Inc. | 4 | 254 |
| BAKER AVIATION LLC | 2 | 247 |
| Elite Air, Inc. | 3 | 229 |
| FLIGHTGEST AVIATION, LLC | 5 | 221 |
Comparable aircraft
Same category, similar mission profile. The framing below summarizes how each one differs from the Challenger 300/350 on the dimensions that matter most.