Archived 27 May 2026
Archived side-by-side comparison from the Freestream library
This comparison examines three large-cabin business jets from three distinct manufacturers that occupied the upper tier of the super-midsize and large-cabin segment. The Bombardier Challenger 605 brought North American wide-body comfort, the Dassault Falcon 2000EX delivered European long-range capability with a club-configured interior, and the Gulfstream G200 offered a purpose-built cross-section with a Gulfstream pedigree at lower operating cost.
All three aircraft are out of production and are available on the secondary market. Data is drawn from Conklin & de Decker (JSSI) using standardised assumptions. The Falcon 2000LX variant, which introduced winglets and extended range, is covered in a separate comparison.
The Challenger 605 is a large-cabin twin-engine business jet produced by Bombardier from 2006 to 2016, powered by two General Electric CF34-3B engines and equipped with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite. With a maximum cruise speed of 488 knots and a seats-full range of 3,756 nautical miles, it provided intercontinental reach within a notably wide cabin measuring 28.4 feet in length and 8.17 feet across. The type succeeded the Challenger 604 with an updated cabin architecture.
Challenger 650 shown; the 605 shares the airframe and is the predecessor variant.
| Production | 2006 – 2016 |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 425 kts |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 488 kts |
| Range, Seats-Full | 3,756 nm |
| Ferry Range | 4,123 nm |
| Rate of Climb | 4,345 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 20,000 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 5,950 ft |
| Cabin Dimensions (L × W × H) | 28.4 × 8.17 × 6.08 ft |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 115 cu ft (internal) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 48,200 lb |
| Basic Operating Weight | 27,150 lb |
| Usable Fuel | 19,852 lb |
| Variable Cost Per Hour | $4,808 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $1,278,526 |
The Falcon 2000EX is a twin-engine business jet produced in limited numbers by Dassault from 2003 to 2004, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C engines and equipped with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics suite. It carried up to ten passengers over a seats-full range of 3,878 nautical miles at a maximum cruise speed of 482 knots, with a cabin measuring 31.2 feet in length and 7.7 feet wide. Only 26 aircraft were delivered before production transitioned to the EASy-cockpit successors.
Falcon 2000 family render shown.
| Production | 2003 – 2004 |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 426 kts |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 482 kts |
| Range, Seats-Full | 3,878 nm |
| Ferry Range | 4,045 nm |
| Rate of Climb | 4,375 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 26,150 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 5,500 ft |
| Cabin Dimensions (L × W × H) | 31.2 × 7.7 × 6.2 ft |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 131 cu ft (internal) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 42,200 lb |
| Basic Operating Weight | 23,190 lb |
| Usable Fuel | 16,660 lb |
| Variable Cost Per Hour | $4,972 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $1,133,071 |
The Gulfstream G200, originally certificated as the Galaxy by Israeli Aerospace Industries before Gulfstream's marketing adoption, was produced from 1997 to 2011 with 250 aircraft built. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306A engines and equipped with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics, it carried up to eight passengers to 3,130 nautical miles at a maximum cruise speed of 470 knots. Its 7.2-foot cabin width and 6.25-foot height gave it a cross-section competitive with larger aircraft in the class.
| Production | 1997 – 2011 |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 430 kts |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 470 kts |
| Range, Seats-Full | 3,130 nm |
| Ferry Range | 3,530 nm |
| Rate of Climb | 3,700 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 23,720 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 6,991 ft |
| Cabin Dimensions (L × W × H) | 24.5 × 7.2 × 6.25 ft |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 150 cu ft (25 internal, 125 external) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 35,450 lb |
| Basic Operating Weight | 19,950 lb |
| Usable Fuel | 15,000 lb |
| Variable Cost Per Hour | $4,776 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $1,091,146 |
Key metrics across all three platforms. Hover a column to highlight; best values in each row are accented. Acquisition cost excluded by design.
| Challenger 605 | Falcon 2000EX | G200 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | |||
| Range, Seats-Full | 3,756 nm | 3,878 nm | 3,130 nm |
| Ferry Range | 4,123 nm | 4,045 nm | 3,530 nm |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 488 kts | 482 kts | 470 kts |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 425 kts | 426 kts | 430 kts |
| Maximum Altitude | 41,000 ft | 47,000 ft | 45,000 ft |
| Rate of Climb | 4,345 ft/min | 4,375 ft/min | 3,700 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 20,000 ft | 26,150 ft | 23,720 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 5,950 ft | 5,500 ft | 6,991 ft |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 48,200 lb | 42,200 lb | 35,450 lb |
| Cabin | |||
| Cabin Length | 28.4 ft | 31.2 ft | 24.5 ft |
| Cabin Width | 8.17 ft | 7.7 ft | 7.2 ft |
| Cabin Height | 6.08 ft | 6.2 ft | 6.25 ft |
| Passenger Capacity | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 115 cu ft | 131 cu ft | 150 cu ft |
| Operating Economics | |||
| Variable Cost / Hour | $4,808 | $4,972 | $4,776 |
| Fuel / Hour | $1,645 | $1,420 | $1,390 |
| Engine Reserves / Hour | $938 | $1,278 | $1,182 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $1,278,526 | $1,133,071 | $1,091,146 |
Assumes 250 flight hours per year, $5.00 per US gallon Jet A, $105 per hour maintenance labour, 600 nm average trip.
Performance and operating cost data sourced from Conklin & de Decker (JSSI) via Freestream's subscription, pulled 27 May 2026. All figures reflect the standard production variant of each aircraft type unless otherwise stated.
Hourly variable and annual fixed costs are modelled at 250 flight hours per year, $5.00 per US gallon Jet A, $105 per hour maintenance labour, and a 600 nm average trip. Crew, hangar, insurance, and training are included in the fixed line. Acquisition cost is excluded.
Freestream Aircraft operates as an independent advisory firm, representing principals in the acquisition, sale, and management of business aircraft worldwide. With active coverage of the large-cabin segment, Freestream provides counsel on platforms including the Challenger 605, Falcon 2000 family, and G200.
Each aircraft in this comparison has distinct operating characteristics that warrant careful evaluation relative to a principal's mission profile. Freestream's team provides independent guidance on condition, market pricing, and transaction execution for buyers and sellers at any stage of the process.