Last updated October 29, 2026 · By Seth Semilof
The Bombardier Challenger 600 series is the family of wide-cabin business jets that began with the Canadair Challenger 600 in 1978 and continues today as the Challenger 650. In between came the 601, the 601-3A and 3R, the 604 and the 605. They share one fuselage and one type certificate, but the cockpits, engines and cabins changed a lot over 40-plus years. For charter, the jets you will actually be offered are the 604, 605 and 650. This review explains how each generation differs, what the current Challenger 650 delivers on paper, and which questions to ask so you know exactly which Challenger is on your quote.
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The Challenger 600 series at a glance
Transport Canada keeps the official family tree. Every model below is a version of the Canadair CL-600 on Transport Canada type certificate A-131, and the dates are the approval dates Transport Canada lists for each variant.
| Model (marketing name) | Official designation | Approved | What changed | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Challenger 600 | CL-600-1A11 | August 10, 1980 | Original wide-body corporate jet | 1002–1085 |
| Challenger 601 | CL-600-2A12 | February 25, 1983 | New engines, more range, higher gross weight | 3001–3066 |
| Challenger 601-3A | CL-600-2B16 | April 21, 1987 | Improved engines, new avionics, better field performance | 5001–5134 |
| Challenger 601-3R | CL-600-2B16 | July 2, 1993 | More range, better field performance, higher gross weight | Listed by Transport Canada as 5301–5664, the same range as the 604 |
| Challenger 604 | CL-600-2B16 (604 variant) | September 20, 1995 | More range, improved engines, Pro Line 4 avionics | 5301–5664 |
| Challenger 605 | CL-600-2B16 (604 variant) | November 2006 | Cabin upgrade, larger windows, Pro Line 21 avionics | 5701–5990 |
| Challenger 650 | CL-600-2B16 (604 variant) | October 2016 | Pro Line 21 Advanced (Bombardier Vision flight deck), new cabin | 6050 and up |
Source: Transport Canada operational evaluation report for the Bombardier CL64 (Challenger 604/605/650), Revision 6, March 10, 2026, historical summary. Transport Canada's summary gives the 601-3R and the 604 the same serial range.
Two practical points come out of that table. First, the 604, 605 and 650 are all the same certified model, the CL-600-2B16 "604 variant." Their names are marketing designations, and the serial number tells you which one you have. Second, pilots need a different type rating for the older jets: Transport Canada rates the 600 and 601 family as CL60 and the 604, 605 and 650 as CL64, with no credit between them.
Where the Challenger 600 series came from
The Challenger started as the LearStar 600, a 1970s concept from Learjet creator William Lear. Montreal-based Canadair redesigned it into what the Canada Aviation and Space Museum calls the world's first wide-bodied business jet, and one of the first aircraft fitted with winglets and a supercritical wing. The prototype first flew on November 8, 1978. Bombardier bought Canadair in 1986, and the Challenger airframe later became the basis for the Canadair Regional Jet airliner.
By the time the 650 entered service in late 2015, Bombardier was calling the Challenger 600 series the best-selling large-cabin business jet of all time, with nearly 1,100 deliveries, according to Business Jet Traveler. The 650 is still listed as a current aircraft on Bombardier's website.
Challenger 650 specs (the current model)
Bombardier publishes full specifications only for the in-production Challenger 650, so these are the numbers we can confirm from the manufacturer. Older 604s and 605s differ in weight, avionics and range, so check the specific aircraft with the operator.
| Spec | Challenger 650 |
|---|---|
| Category | Large-cabin jet |
| Passengers | Up to 12, depending on layout |
| Maximum range | 4,000 nm (NBAA IFR reserves, ISA, long-range cruise, 6 passengers and 2 crew) |
| Speed | Mach 0.85 top; Mach 0.82 high-speed cruise; Mach 0.80 typical cruise |
| Maximum altitude | 41,000 ft (initial cruise 37,000 ft at MTOW) |
| Engines | Two GE CF34-3B, 9,220 lbf each with MTO thrust |
| Cabin (height × width × length) | 6 ft 0 in × 7 ft 11 in × 25 ft 7 in (length excludes baggage) |
| Baggage | 115 cu ft, accessible in flight |
| Length / wingspan / height | 68 ft 5 in / 64 ft 4 in / 20 ft 8 in |
| Maximum ramp weight | 48,300 lb |
| Takeoff / landing distance | 5,640 ft (SL, ISA, MTOW) / 2,402 ft (SL, ISA, typical) |
| Avionics | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced with Synthetic Vision |
Source: Bombardier Challenger 650 specifications. Bombardier notes that actual range is affected by speed, weather, selected options and other factors.
How the 604, 605 and 650 differ
Because the 604, 605 and 650 share a type certificate, Transport Canada's operational evaluation report lists every difference between them in detail. Here is what matters to passengers.
Challenger 604 (approved 1995)
The 604 brought more range and improved engines to the 601 design, plus the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 cockpit with six 7.25-inch screens. In a 604 the autothrottle was optional, not standard. The 604 is also the version that made the 600 series a charter mainstay, and plenty are still flying. Some have had cockpit upgrades: Transport Canada notes a Nextant Aerospace Pro Line Fusion retrofit for the 604, marketed as the CL604XT.
Challenger 605 (from 2006)
Transport Canada calls the move from 604 to 605 a mix of weight reductions, an avionics upgrade and a cabin upgrade. Things you will notice:
- Bigger, higher windows. The passenger windows are larger and set higher in the fuselage, and the over-wing exit moved up with them.
- A new cockpit. Pro Line 21 replaced Pro Line 4, with four 10 x 12-inch LCD screens instead of six smaller CRTs.
- Autothrottle as standard and a redesigned tail cone.
Later 605s fitted with Bombardier's avionics upgrade service bulletins, which Transport Canada calls the "605(SB)," gained features such as FANS 1/A datalink, synthetic vision and LPV approaches. Ask whether a 605 is a basic 605 or an SB-upgraded one.
Challenger 650 (entered service late 2015)
The 650 is a 605 with Pro Line 21 Advanced, which Bombardier markets as the Bombardier Vision flight deck, plus a redesigned cabin. Business Jet Traveler reports that it entered service in late 2015; Transport Canada's summary dates the 650 configuration to October 2016. Bombardier lists Ka-band internet as available, 24-inch high-definition bulkhead monitors and seating for up to 12. Later upgrades included more takeoff thrust (MTO) and a runway overrun alerting system, both evaluated by regulators in 2019 and 2024. The 650 is also certified for steep approaches into London City Airport. Bombardier says that capability lets it operate at demanding airports such as Aspen and Lugano.
The cabin: why charter clients like it
The 600 series has always been sold on width. Bombardier describes the Challenger 650 as having the widest cabin in its class, at 7 ft 11 in wide and 6 ft 0 in tall. On a typical 12-seat layout that means club seating up front, a four-place conference group or a divan that turns into a bed, a full galley and a lavatory. Bombardier says the 650 has the highest sleeping capacity in its class, and you can reach the 115 cu ft baggage hold during the flight.
A 604 cabin has the same width but older finishes and smaller windows, unless it has been refurbished. Interiors vary far more from tail to tail than the model names suggest, so ask for current cabin photos of the exact aircraft.
What trips a Challenger 600-series jet can fly
Bombardier's 4,000 nm figure for the 650 assumes six passengers, two crew and long-range cruise. Here is how some common trips compare with that number (great-circle distances, before winds):
| Trip | Distance | Within the 650's published range? |
|---|---|---|
| Teterboro (TEB) – Van Nuys (VNY) | About 2,130 nm | Yes, with a comfortable margin |
| Opa-locka (OPF) – Van Nuys (VNY) | About 2,035 nm | Yes |
| Van Nuys (VNY) – Honolulu (HNL) | About 2,220 nm | Yes; the operator still plans for winds |
| Teterboro (TEB) – London Luton (LTN) | About 2,990 nm | Yes |
| Teterboro (TEB) – Paris Le Bourget (LBG) | About 3,150 nm | Yes |
| Westchester (HPN) – Zurich (ZRH) | About 3,390 nm | On paper; the operator confirms the load and winds |
Distances calculated from OurAirports coordinates. Published range is a theoretical figure. The operator confirms whether a specific aircraft can fly a leg nonstop with your passengers and bags.
Bombardier itself pitches the 650 as able to link New York and London. Coast-to-coast flights, Hawaii from the West Coast and New York to Western Europe are the trips where the family earns its keep. For anything longer, such as New York to the Middle East, see our guide to the best heavy jets for transatlantic flights from New York or the ultra-long-range comparison of the G800 vs Global 8000.
Challenger 600 series vs the Challenger 300 series
The names confuse people, but the families are very different. The Challenger 300, 350 and 3500 are a separate super-midsize family with a smaller cabin and shorter range. The 600 series is the large-cabin family. If your group fits in eight seats and the trip is domestic, a Challenger 350 or Challenger 300 may be enough. If you want a wider cabin, more seats or real transatlantic range, a 604, 605 or 650 is a better fit.
Want to go deeper on one model? Read our Challenger 601 charter guide, see the Challenger 604 and Challenger 605 aircraft pages, compare the Challenger 650 vs Gulfstream G450 and Legacy 600 vs Challenger 604, or browse all heavy jets.
What to ask before you book a Challenger 604, 605 or 650
- Serial number. It tells you whether the jet is a 604 (5301–5664), a 605 (5701–5990) or a 650 (6050 and up).
- Avionics status. For a 604, ask about cockpit upgrades. For a 605, ask whether it has the SB avionics upgrades.
- Interior refurbishment date and photos. The model name matters less than the condition of that cabin.
- Seat count and sleeping layout. Ask how many seats there are and how many people can lie flat.
- Wi-Fi. Connectivity depends on what is installed on that aircraft.
- Nonstop plan. For long legs, have the operator confirm nonstop with your actual load.
- Operator safety audits. Haute Jets arranges flights with Wyvern- and ARGUS-rated operators, and our Wyvern and ARGUS guide explains what those ratings mean.
We don't publish made-up prices. A Challenger quote depends on the route, dates, repositioning and the specific aircraft. For general context, read how much it costs to charter a private jet in 2026, and check empty legs for one-way repositioning flights.
Book with Haute Jets
Tell us your route, dates, passenger count and bags. We will compare Challenger 604, 605 and 650 options by serial number, cabin condition and Wi-Fi, all from Wyvern- and ARGUS-rated operators. Most quotes arrive within 60 minutes. Request a quote or call (800) 257-5661.
FAQs
What models are in the Bombardier Challenger 600 series?
The Challenger 600, 601, 601-3A, 601-3R, 604, 605 and 650. All are versions of the Canadair CL-600 on Transport Canada type certificate A-131. The 604, 605 and 650 share one model designation, CL-600-2B16 (604 variant), and are told apart by serial number.
Is the Bombardier Challenger 600 still in production?
The original Challenger 600 is not; its serial numbers ran from 1002 to 1085. The family lives on as the Challenger 650, which Bombardier still lists as a current aircraft.
How many passengers does a Challenger 650 seat?
Up to 12, according to Bombardier, depending on the floor plan. Many charter layouts seat fewer so that more seats can recline flat, so check the seat count on your quote.
What is the range of the Challenger 650?
Bombardier publishes a 4,000 nm maximum range with six passengers and two crew, NBAA IFR reserves and long-range cruise. That covers New York to London or Paris on paper. Actual range depends on speed, weather, payload and options.
What is the difference between the Challenger 604 and 605?
According to Transport Canada, the 605 added larger, higher cabin windows, a redesigned tail cone, the Pro Line 21 cockpit with four large LCD screens instead of the 604's six CRTs, standard autothrottle and weight reductions. Both are the same certified model, CL-600-2B16 (604 variant).
When did the Challenger 600 first fly?
November 8, 1978, according to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, which calls it the world's first wide-bodied business jet.
Sources
- Bombardier, Challenger 650 specifications: bombardier.com
- Transport Canada, operational evaluation report, Bombardier CL64 (Challenger 604/605/650), Revision 6: tc.canada.ca
- EASA, type-certificate data sheet EASA.IM.A.673 (CL-600 model and marketing-name matrix): easa.europa.eu
- Canada Aviation and Space Museum (Ingenium), Canadair CL600 Challenger: ingenium.ca
- Business Jet Traveler, Newest Bombardier Challengers Hit Delivery Milestones: bjtonline.com
- OurAirports, airport coordinates used for distance calculations: ourairports.com
