Charter a Bombardier Challenger 600

The Bombardier Challenger 600 is the original aircraft that started one of the most successful large-cabin business jet families in aviation history. Produced by Canadair in Montreal from 1980 to 1983, it traces its origins to Bill Lear's LearStar 600 concept - a programme Lear began before Canadair acquired it, renamed it and refined it into the aircraft that would define a category. The CL-600 made its maiden flight in November 1978 and entered service in 1980 as the first wide-body business jet to offer a 2.49 m wide cabin with full stand-up headroom across intercontinental range.

In the current charter market, the Challenger 600 represents the most affordable entry into the Challenger family cabin experience - the same 7.77 m long, 2.49 m wide, 1.85 m high interior that the subsequent 601, 604, 605 and 650 all inherited, at charter rates that reflect the aircraft's age and earlier-generation engines. For clients who prioritise wide-cabin comfort and group capacity on shorter European and medium-haul sectors, it remains a viable and cost-efficient option. Private Jets UK arranges charters from UK airports with pricing from approximately £3,400 per flight hour. For the full aircraft range see our private jet price guide or browse the complete fleet.

Why charter the Challenger 600?

• The original wide cabin at the lowest Challenger family price. The 2.49 m wide, 7.77 m long stand-up cabin is the same fundamental footprint as every subsequent Challenger 600 variant. Charter rates reflect the original-generation engines and avionics, making this the most affordable way to access the iconic Challenger cabin width for clients on shorter sectors or tighter budgets;
• Historical significance and proven long-service record. The Challenger 600 introduced the wide-body business jet concept to the market. Over four decades of operation have produced a well-understood maintenance profile and an extensive service history that supports confident dispatch on European missions;
• Identical cabin dimensions to the Challenger 601. At 7.77 m long, 2.49 m wide and 1.85 m high, the interior is the same cross-section as the entire subsequent Challenger family. Passengers stepping from a Challenger 650 into a Challenger 600 will recognise the cabin immediately - the width and stand-up headroom are unchanged;
• Up to 12 passengers in executive configuration. Standard VIP layout with sofa, cushioned armchairs and pull-out tables seats 10 to 12 passengers. A high-density configuration accommodates up to 19, though this is uncommon in charter use;
• Hot meals, private lavatory and office equipment capability. Even in the original configuration, the Challenger 600 was designed with an enclosed private lavatory, hot meal galley and provision for office and entertainment equipment - amenities that remain relevant for European business travel today;
• Group consolidation economics. For groups of 10 to 12 passengers on European routes, it can be more cost-efficient to consolidate the group on a a single aircraft than to split across two smaller jets.

Charter cost - Challenger 600 prices from UK airports

Hourly rates run from approximately £3,400 to £4,000 - the lowest of any Challenger family variant in the charter market and typically 10 to 15% below the Challenger 601. On European sectors of 2 to 4 hours with 10 to 12 passengers, the per-seat economics are competitive with most super-midsize alternatives while providing noticeably more cabin space.

Indicative one-way prices from UK airports:

• London to Geneva - from £7,400 (12 passengers, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes);
• London to Berlin - from £8,800 (12 passengers, approximately 1 hour 40 minutes);
• London to Rome - from £14,200 (12 passengers, approximately 2 hours 30 minutes);
• London to Athens - from £16,400 (12 passengers, approximately 3 hours 20 minutes);
• Edinburgh to Amsterdam - from £8,600 (12 passengers, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes);
• London to Istanbul - from £17,200 (12 passengers, approximately 3 hours 20 minutes);
• Manchester to Barcelona - from £13,400 (12 passengers, approximately 2 hours 10 minutes).

Empty Leg flights appear on repositioning routes. See our Empty Legs page for current availability.

Ideal routes for the Challenger 600

It is best suited to European and medium-haul missions where wide-cabin comfort, large group capacity and cost efficiency are the priorities. Its value proposition is clearest on shorter sectors where the speed advantage of newer jets matters less:

• UK to France, Benelux and Central Europe (1 to 2 hours). Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Geneva, Zurich, Berlin, Vienna. For groups of 10 to 12 passengers on these short sectors, the wide cabin provides a corporate shuttle environment that no super-midsize jet can match at a comparable per-seat cost;
• UK to Mediterranean and Southern Europe (2 to 3.5 hours). Rome, Athens, Istanbul, Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon. The Challenger 600 covers all of these comfortably non-stop and delivers its best value on these medium sectors where the cabin width is fully appreciated by larger groups;
• Large group corporate shuttles. Moving 10 to 12 employees on a regular European route in a single aircraft with hot meal service and a private lavatory. The economics at full capacity are compelling against the alternatives;
• UK to North Africa (3 to 4 hours non-stop). Casablanca, Algiers, Tunis, Cairo. All within comfortable range from UK airports. For larger delegations to North African destinations, the cabin capacity is a practical advantage;
• Medium-haul missions where budget is the primary constraint. For clients who know the Challenger family well and are selecting the most cost-efficient variant for a specific mission, this offers the same cabin footprint as the 601 and 604 at the lowest available price in the family.

Cabin and in-flight experience

The Challenger 600 cabin measures 7.77 m long, 2.49 m wide and 1.85 m high - stand-up headroom throughout. The cabin dimensions are identical to the Challenger 601 and to the fundamental cross-section maintained across all subsequent Challenger 600 family variants through to the 650. In an era before the super-midsize category existed, this cabin established what a business jet interior could be in terms of personal space, and it remains distinctly more generous than most aircraft at comparable charter rates today.

The standard VIP configuration includes a sofa, cushioned armchairs and pull-out tables. Hot meal service is available through the galley. The private enclosed lavatory was a designed-in feature from the original specification. Most charter-market examples have been updated with modern audio-video systems since their original delivery in the early 1980s.

• Seating. Standard 10 to 12 passengers in VIP configuration; up to 19 in high-density;
• Galley. Hot meal service available throughout the flight;
• Lavatory. Enclosed private lavatory - designed in from the original specification;
• Entertainment. Audio-video systems updated on most charter examples. Wi-Fi and satellite phone vary by operator and example - confirm at booking;
• Baggage. Standard luggage capacity for a 12-passenger group; confirm hold access with your consultant at booking.

Technical specifications

Challenger 600 vs similar aircraft

• Challenger 600 vs Challenger 601. The 601 replaced the original ALF 502 engines with General Electric CF34 powerplants, significantly improving fuel efficiency and cruise performance. The cabin dimensions are identical. Charter rates for the 601 run approximately 10 to 15% higher. For longer sectors and fuel-cost-sensitive missions, the 601 is the more economical operational choice despite the higher hourly rate. For short European sectors where total fuel burn is modest, the Challenger 600 can offer a lower all-in price;
• Challenger 600 vs Challenger 850. The 850 is a converted CRJ200 airliner with a substantially longer cabin (14.76 m) and up to 14 passengers at broadly comparable charter rates. For groups of 13 to 14 passengers the 850 has the capacity advantage; for 10 to 12 passengers who prioritise the quieter, more refined environment of a purpose-built business jet, the Challenger 600 is the better choice for cabin quality;
• Challenger 600 vs Citation XLS+. That aircraft is a midsize jet with a smaller cabin (5.64 m long, 1.73 m wide) and fewer passengers (7 standard) at rates approximately 10 to 20% lower. For groups of 4 to 7 passengers the XLS+ is the right size and cost; for groups of 10 to 12, the Challenger 600 is the only sensible single-aircraft solution at any remotely comparable price point.

Frequently asked questions - Challenger 600 charter

How much does it cost to charter a Bombardier Challenger 600?
Rates run from approximately £3,400 to £4,000 per flight hour. London to Geneva costs from £7,400 for 12 passengers. London to Rome costs from £14,200. London to Athens costs from £16,400. All quotes from Private Jets UK are fully itemised with no hidden charges.

How many passengers can fly on a Challenger 600?
Up to 12 in executive configuration. A high-density layout accommodates up to 19, though this is uncommon in charter use. Standard charter bookings use the VIP configuration with sofa, armchairs and pull-out tables for 10 to 12 passengers.

What is the history of the Challenger 600?
The Challenger 600 originated as Bill Lear's LearStar 600 concept, acquired by Canadair and renamed Challenger. The CL-600 prototype flew in November 1978 in Montreal. Production ran from 1980 to 1983. It was the first wide-body business jet to combine a 2.49 m wide cabin with intercontinental range, establishing a standard that the subsequent Challenger 601, 604, 605 and 650 all maintained.

What is the difference between the Challenger 600 and Challenger 601?
The 601 replaced the original Avco Lycoming ALF 502 engines with General Electric CF34 powerplants, delivering significantly better fuel efficiency. The cabin dimensions are identical. Charter rates for the 601 run approximately 10 to 15% higher per hour. For longer missions, the 601's better fuel economy often makes the total trip cost comparable despite the higher rate.

Is the Challenger 600 cabin the same width as newer Challenger models?
Yes - the 2.49 m width is the same across the entire Challenger family - the original CL-600, the 601, 604, 605 and 650 all share the same fuselage cross-section. This is the defining characteristic of the family and the reason all variants deliver the widest cabin in their respective price brackets.