Challenger 600

The Challenger 600 first flew on November 8, 1978, and entered production in 1980. Production continued through 1983 before Bombardier introduced the Challenger 601 with updated engines and range. The type earned joint certification from Transport Canada and the FAA in 1980.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 is a heavy twin-engine jet built by Bombardier (then Canadair). Produced from 1980 to 1983, it carries up to 12 passengers across a 3,386-nautical-mile range at 459 knots. Two Lycoming ALF 502L engines produce 7,500 lbf each, per Honeywell (successor manufacturer) specification data. Cabin length is 28.3 feet, among the widest stand-up cabins of its era.

The Challenger 600 set out to solve a problem no purpose-built business jet had solved: real cabin volume. Canadair pursued three engineering choices to get there.

First, engineers designed a supercritical wing, tested for more than 1,800 hours in wind tunnels. The wing shape allowed efficient cruise at higher altitudes without forcing a narrow fuselage.

Second, the fuselage itself was built wide and circular, 8.2 feet across, rather than tapered to match a smaller wing like earlier business jets. That gave the Challenger 600 a genuine center aisle, a first for an aircraft in its weight class.

Third, Canadair selected two Lycoming ALF 502L turbofans, an early high-bypass design producing 7,500 lbf each. The engines ran quieter and burned less fuel than the pure turbojets common on contemporary business jets.

The Challenger 600 climbs at approximately 3,200 feet per minute, per Hogani Jets specification data, and burns approximately 262 gallons of fuel per hour. It reaches a service ceiling of 41,000 feet.

The Challenger 600 sold well enough to justify a large-cabin heavy jet category that barely existed before it. Bombardier built approximately 83 aircraft in just three years of production, a fast pace for an all-new aircraft type.

Early Challenger 600s carried a list price of approximately $9 million at launch. Buyers got a cabin volume competitors would not match for years, though early ALF 502 engine service history gave some early buyers pause.

Bombardier moved quickly to the improved Challenger 601 by 1987, adding General Electric engines and more range. Original Challenger 600s still flying today typically trade on the pre-owned market for roughly $700,000 to $1.2 million, reflecting their age and the availability of newer Challenger variants.

The Challenger 600 series went on to include the 601, 604, 605, 650, and 3500, each adding range, updated engines, or modern avionics while keeping the wide-cabin cross-section the 600 introduced.

A heavy jet trades a higher hourly rate for meaningfully more cabin room, passenger capacity, and comfort on longer flights.

• More cabin: 28.3 feet long and 8.2 feet wide versus roughly 24 to 26 feet long and 6.5 to 7.7 feet wide for most super midsize jets.
• More passengers: up to 12 versus 9 to 10 for most super midsize aircraft.
• Full stand-up cabin height throughout, plus a forward galley and enclosed aft lavatory as standard.
• Intercontinental missions: nonstop coast-to-coast US routes at full passenger loads, plus select longer international sectors on lighter loads.
• Best mission: full-cabin corporate groups on transcontinental domestic routes and shorter international trips.

Capable of accommodating up to 12 passengers, the Challenger 600 most commonly flies in an 8 to 10 passenger arrangement featuring a forward club section paired with an aft conference grouping or divan.

• A four-seat forward club section paired with a rear conference area or divan seating.
• An enclosed aft lavatory and forward galley are standard on nearly every configuration.
• Cabin height is 6.1 feet; nearly all passengers can stand fully upright throughout the cabin.
• A wide 8.2-foot cross-section gives the cabin a genuine center aisle, unusual for a business jet of this era.
• Interior configurations vary by operator; many aircraft have been refurbished with updated seating and finishes.
• 115 cubic feet of baggage hold accommodates approximately 12 suitcases.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 cabin is 28.3 feet long, 8.2 feet wide, and 6.1 feet tall. Cabin pressurization holds an 8,000-foot equivalent altitude at cruise. The wide cross-section provides a genuine center aisle and full stand-up headroom. The aircraft seats up to 12 passengers with 115 cubic feet of baggage capacity.

Within the Challenger family, the 600 is the original wide-cabin platform. The Challenger 601 and 604 offer more range with the same cabin cross-section. The Challenger 600 offers the lowest cost of entry into the wide-cabin heavy jet class.

The 3,386-nautical-mile range covers coast-to-coast US routes with reserves to spare. New York to Los Angeles (2,451 nm) is comfortably within nonstop range.

The cost to charter a Bombardier Challenger 600 is typically $5,500 to $8,000 per flight hour. New York to Los Angeles one-way rental runs approximately $43,000 to $52,500. New York to Miami one-way charter price is approximately $24,000 to $30,000. Final all-in cost depends on operator, routing, positioning, and season. Fuel, crew, and maintenance are included in the hourly rate; landing fees, taxes, and repositioning are billed separately.

Contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573 for a current quote.

The hourly rate covers core operational costs. Additional fees are quoted separately.

• Aircraft operation: fuel, crew, and maintenance are included in the hourly rate.
• Two certificated pilots: required for all operations.
• Federal excise tax and segment fees: federally mandated, quoted separately.
• Positioning costs: charged if the aircraft must reposition to your departure airport.
• International handling fees: apply on Caribbean, Canada, and other international flights.

Contact Hogani Jets for current pricing and details.

The most natural comparisons are within the Challenger family and against contemporary heavy jets. The Challenger 601 offers a similar cabin with updated engines. The Falcon 900 offers more passengers and a higher service ceiling.

Every Bombardier Challenger 600 charter coordinated by Hogani Jets is operated by an FAA Part 135 certificated direct air carrier holding full operational control of the flight. Each operator's certificate, insurance coverage, and safety record is independently reviewed before Hogani Jets coordinates a booking. Hogani Jets is an air charter broker and does not own or operate aircraft.

The Challenger 600 carries Collins Pro Line 4 avionics as standard on most refurbished aircraft. Twin Lycoming (Honeywell) ALF 502L engines power the type. Honeywell and Bombardier continue to provide parts and engineering support for the existing fleet.

The Challenger 600 suits full-cabin corporate groups on domestic transcontinental routes and regional business corridors. The following Hogani Jets route pages cover its most common corridors.

• New York to Miami private jet charter
• Miami to Dallas private jet charter
• New York to Chicago private jet charter

Ready to book a Bombardier Challenger 600 charter or check availability? Contact Hogani Jets for a tailored quote. Call +1-855-660-0573 or email charter@hoganijets.com.

How much does it cost to charter a Bombardier Challenger 600?

Bombardier Challenger 600 charter rates typically run $5,500 to $8,000 per flight hour. New York to Los Angeles one-way runs approximately $43,000 to $52,500. Final cost depends on route, operator, positioning, and season.

What is the difference between the Challenger 600 and Challenger 601?

The Challenger 601 replaced the 600 in 1983 with General Electric engines instead of Lycoming ALF 502Ls, along with winglets and updated avionics. Cabin dimensions stayed largely the same across both models.

How many passengers can the Bombardier Challenger 600 carry?

The Challenger 600 seats up to 12 passengers. Standard configurations typically run 8 to 10, in a forward club plus aft conference or divan layout.

How many Bombardier Challenger 600s were built?

Bombardier, then operating as Canadair, built approximately 83 Challenger 600s between 1980 and 1983 before introducing the improved Challenger 601.

What made the Challenger 600's cabin different from other business jets of its era?

The Challenger 600 introduced a wide, circular fuselage cross-section, 8.2 feet across, giving it a genuine stand-up cabin and center aisle. Most contemporary business jets had narrower cabins that required stooping.

What is the real range of a Bombardier Challenger 600?

Published range is 3,386 nautical miles. Realistic range with a full cabin runs somewhat lower, closer to 2,900 nm on some operators' practical figures.

Are empty leg flights available on the Bombardier Challenger 600?

Yes. Repositioning flights create empty-leg opportunities. Availability is short-notice and date-fixed; Hogani Jets recommends flexibility when pursuing empty-leg pricing.

Is Hogani Jets a direct air carrier?

No. Hogani Jets is an air charter broker and does not own or operate aircraft. All Bombardier Challenger 600 charters are facilitated through licensed Part 135 direct air carriers holding full operational and regulatory control.