Private jet Challenger 604

The Challenger 604 is one of the most affordable heavy jets on the charter market, with rates ranging from €12,000 to €22,000 for a one-way European flight. Transatlantic routes reach €50,000 to €80,000. Its slightly older fleet age translates to prices 15 to 25% lower than more modern aircraft. Empty leg flights offer savings of 25 to 40%. For groups of 8 to 12 people seeking a heavy jet at a reasonable price, it is often the first choice.

Yes — the Challenger 604 has an excellent safety record thanks to its FAR Part 25 certification, its two proven General Electric CF34-3B engines, and Bombardier's extensive certified maintenance network. Charter operators holding ARGUS, Wyvern or IS-BAO certifications maintain their Challenger 604s in the best possible condition. Bombardier delivered more than 300 units, creating the densest maintenance base in the category. The incident record is very favourable.

The Challenger 604 carries up to 13 passengers. Its cabin width of 2.49 m — one of the largest in the category — allows a 2+1 or 2+2 window-seat configuration with wide aisles. The 8.61 m cabin divides into a work zone (4 face-to-face seats), a rest zone (reclining seats) and a rear area with sofas. For groups of 10 to 12 people, it is often the most available and most affordable heavy jet.

Yes — the 7,408 km range covers Paris–New York (5,830 km) with a good margin. The Paris–New York flight takes approximately 8h30 depending on winds. In an economy configuration (6 light passengers), the range can reach 8,000 km. Eastbound (New York–Paris), the favourable jet stream in winter allows crossings in 7 hours. Bombardier designed this aircraft specifically for transatlantic business routes.

The Challenger 604 cabin is one of the widest in the heavy jet category: 2.49 m across, wider than the G450 (2.24 m) or the Falcon 2000LXS (2.34 m). Leather seats are fully reclining. The rear galley features a microwave, coffee maker and ample storage. The spacious lavatory and rear sofas are appreciated on long flights of 7 to 9 hours. High-speed Wi-Fi is standard on recently refurbished aircraft.

The Challenger 350 is a super-midsize jet; the 604 is a heavy jet — two different categories. The Challenger 604 has a longer cabin (8.61 m vs 7.12 m), a wider cabin (2.49 m vs 2.18 m), and a comparable range (7,408 km vs 6,482 km). It carries 13 passengers versus 10 for the 350. In return, the Challenger 604 requires a runway of 1,840 m versus 1,490 m for the 350, and its hourly operating cost is higher. For a group of 10 to 12 people on a transatlantic route, the 604 is often the best space-to-cost ratio.