Dassault Falcon 2000LXS vs Bombardier Challenger 650 Comparison

Over the following paragraphs we’ll consider key productivity parameters for Dassault’s Falcon 2000LXS and the Bombardier Challenger 650, including payload, range, speed, and cabin size, to establish which aircraft provides the greater value, and in what respect.

Will a slight four-pax range difference, or a 41,000ft versus 47,000ft certified flight ceiling tip the balance between the competitors? It’s hoped that the following comparison will help clarify.

Dassault Falcon 2000LXS

The Falcon 2000LXS has been in production since 2013 having been introduced as a replacement for the Falcon 2000LX. One of the biggest differentiators is the Falcon 2000LXS’s improved short field capability compared to its predecessor – a reduced landing distance that allows the Falcon 2000LXS to access more airports compared to the other aircraft in its class.

Offering a maximum certified ceiling of 47,000ft, the Falcon 2000LXS is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C engines, each offering 7,000lbst.

As of this writing, there were 147 Dassault Falcon 2000LXS jets in operation worldwide. By continent, North America accounted for the largest fleet percentage (69%), followed by Europe (17%), then Asia (10%), according to JETNET.

Bombardier Challenger 650

The Challenger 650 is the updated version of the Challenger 605 and was introduced to the market in 2015. It features a completely re-designed cabin over previous Challenger 600 models.

With a maximum certified ceiling of 41,000ft, the Challenger 650 utilizes two GE CF34-3B-MTO engines providing 5% more thrust than its predecessor, the Challenger605. This has helped reduce the take-off field length while providing the CL650 with more  .

At the time of writing there were 154 Challenger 650s in operation, including 105 that were wholly owned and 49 in fractional ownership.

By continent, North America boasted the largest fleet percentage (66%), followed by Europe (20%) and Asia (8%), per JETNET.

Payload Comparison

When comparing business jets, an important area for potential operators to focus on is payload capability, and especially the ‘Available Payload with Maximum Fuel’. Table A shows that the Challenger 650’s ‘Available Payload with Maximum Fuel’ is 1,298lbs, which is less than the 2,755lbs offered by the Falcon 2000XLS.

Table A: Dassault Falcon 2000LXS vs Bombardier Challenger 650 Payload Comparison

Cabin Comparison

Chart A depicts the cabin height as being 6ft for Bombardier Challenger 650, compared to 6.2ft for the Dassault Falcon 2000LXS. However, the Challenger 650 shows a greater cabin width than the Falcon 2000LXS (7.9ft versus 7.7ft).

Chart A: Dassault Falcon 2000LXS vs Bombardier Challenger 650 Cabin Comparison

Not depicted in the cross-section, the Falcon 2000LXS boasts a slightly longer cabin (26.2ft) than the Challenger 650 (25.6ft), and provides marginally less cabin volume than the Challenger 650 (1,028cu.ft vs 1,034cu.ft).

At 112cu.ft, the Challenger 650 provides slightly less internal luggage volume than the Falcon 2000 XLS (131cu.ft). In addition, the Falcon 2000LXS offers 8cu.ft of external luggage space compared with none for the Challenger 650.

In executive configuration the Challenger 650 can come equipped with 11 seats while the Falcon 2000LXS has ten.

Range Comparison

Using Wichita, Kansas as the start point, Chart B shows the Bombardier Challenger 650 has a range of 4,025nm when carrying four passengers and available fuel. The Falcon 2000LXS provides more range at 4,180nm.

Chart B: Dassault Falcon 2000LXS vs Bombardier Challenger 650 Range Comparison

Note: For business jets, ‘Four Pax Range’ represents the maximum IFR range at long range cruise. The NBAA IFR fuel reserve calculation is for a 200nm alternate. This range does not include winds aloft or any other weather-related obstacles.

Powerplant Details

As mentioned above, the Bombardier Challenger 650 has two GE CF34-3B engines, each providing 9,220lbst, and burning 317 gallons of fuel per hour. By comparison, the Dassault Falcon 2000LXS has a pair of Pratt & Whitney PW308C engines producing 7,000lbst each. These burn 270 gallons per hour.

Cost per Mile Comparison

Chart C details the ‘Cost per Mile’ for each jet, per JETNET. These factor direct costs and with each aircraft flying a 1,000nm mission with 800lbs (four passengers) payload. The Falcon 2000LXS ($7.19/nm) has a higher cost per mile compared than the Challenger 650 ($6.75/nm) – a 6.2% difference.

Chart C: Dassault Falcon 2000LXS vs Bombardier Challenger 650 Cost Per Mile Comparison

Variable Cost Comparison

The ‘Variable Cost’, illustrated in Chart D, is defined as the estimated cost of fuel, maintenance labor, scheduled parts, and miscellaneous trip expenses (e.g., hangar, crew, and catering).

Chart D: Dassault Falcon 2000LXS vs Bombardier Challenger 650 Variable Cost Comparison

These costs are from JETNET and DO NOT represent a direct source into every flight department and their trip support expenses. For comparative purposes, the costs presented are the relative differences, not the actual differences since these may vary from one flight department to another.

The Bombardier Challenger 650 ($2,363/hr) has a higher variable cost compared to the Dassault Falcon 2000LXS ($2,237/hr) – a difference of $126 (or 5.3%) in favor of the Falcon 2000LXS.

Market Comparison Table

Table B contains the new 2024 prices (per Aircraft Bluebook, Summer 2024 data) for the Dassault Falcon 2000LXS and Bombardier Challenger 650 ($37m and $33.3m, respectively). Also, listed are the long-range cruise speed and range numbers (per B&CA), while the number of aircraft in-operation, the percentage for sale, and average sold are from JETNET.

The average number of used transactions (units sold) per month over the previous 12 months was 1.7 for the Falcon 2000LXS and 2.6 for the Challenger 650.

Table B: Dassault Falcon 2000LXS vs Bombardier Challenger 650 Market Comparison

Used Aircraft Retail Sale Transaction Trends

At the time of writing, there were six Dassault Falcon 2000LXS units for sale on the pre-owned market, according to JETNET. Based on three units showing asking prices, the prices ranged from $25.5m to $29.7m. Meanwhile, there were four pre-owned Bombardier Challenger 650s for sale, none of which had a published asking price.

While each aircraft serial number is unique, the Airframe Total Time (AFTT) and age/condition will cause great variation in the price of a specific aircraft – even between two aircraft from the same year of manufacture. The final negotiated price remains to be decided between the seller and buyer before the sale of an aircraft is completed.

Depreciation Schedule

Aircraft that are owned and operated by businesses are often depreciable for income tax purposes under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS). Under MACRS, taxpayers can use accelerated depreciation of assets by taking a greater percentage of the deductions during the first few years of the applicable recovery period.

In certain cases, aircraft may not qualify under the MACRS system and must be depreciated under the less favorable Alternative Depreciation System (ADS), based on a straight-line method meaning that equal deductions are taken during each year of the applicable recovery period. In most cases, recovery periods under ADS are longer than recovery periods available under MACRS.

There is a variety of factors that taxpayers must consider in determining if an aircraft may be depreciated, and, if so, the correct depreciation method and recovery period that should be utilized. For example, aircraft used in charter service (i.e. Part 135) are normally depreciated under MACRS over a seven-year recovery period, or under ADS using a twelve-year recovery period.

Aircraft used for qualified business purposes, such as Part 91 business use flights, are generally depreciated under MACRS over a period of five years or by using ADS with a seven-year recovery period. There are certain uses of the aircraft, such as non-business flights, that may have an impact on the allowable depreciation deduction available in any given year.

The US enacted the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act into law on December 22, 2017. Under the Act, taxpayers were able to deduct up to 100% of the cost of a new or pre-owned aircraft purchased and placed in service before January 1, 2023.

This 100% expensing provision was a huge bonus for aircraft owners and operators. After December 31, 2022, the Act decreased the percentage available each year by 20% to depreciate qualified business jets until December 31, 2026. In 2024, the percentage rate available stands at 60%.

Tables C and D depict examples of using the MACRS schedule for a 2024-model Dassault Falcon 2000LXS and Bombardier Challenger 650 in private (Part 91) and charter (Part 135) operations over five- and seven-year periods. The price is as published by Aircraft Bluebook (Summer 2024 data).

Tables C and D: Dassault Falcon 2000LXS & Bombardier Challenger 650 Sample Tax Depreciation

Productivity Comparison

The points in Chart E are centered on the same aircraft. Pricing used in the horizontal axis is as published in Aircraft Bluebook (Summer 2024). The productivity index requires further discussion since factors used can be somewhat arbitrary. Productivity can be defined (and it is here) as the multiple of three factors:

1. Four Passenger Range (nm) with available fuel
2. The long-range cruise speed flown to achieve that range
3. The cabin volume available for passengers and amenities

Chart E: Dassault Falcon 2000LXS vs Bombardier Challenger 650 Productivity Comparison

Others may choose different parameters, but serious business aircraft buyers are usually impressed with price, range, speed and cabin size. In terms of cost, while the Bombardier Challenger 650 is $3.7m less to acquire new (Aircraft Bluebook, Summer 2024, 2024 model), the Dassault Falcon 2000LXS has a 5.3% lower variable hourly operating cost.

Regarding specific advantages offered, the Falcon 2000LXS offers slightly more ‘four pax with available fuel’ range, a greater ‘available payload with maximum fuel’, and a slightly higher long range cruise speed, while the Challenger 650 has a marginally larger cabin volume and higher seating capacity.

These jets are closely matched reflecting in their similar fleet numbers. Prospective buyers need to weigh the capabilities of each very carefully against their own specific mission requirement to determine which one is the best fit for their flight operations.

The Falcon 2000LXS is designed to access more airports and is certified to fly to 47,000ft, for example, which could swing a buying decision in very specific operator circumstances. Cabin and cockpit technologies in each jet could also play a part in a buying decision. 

Within these paragraphs we have touched upon several of the attributes that business jet operators value, although there are others, such as airport performance, terminal area performance and time-to-climb that might factor in a buying decision.

Ultimately there is plenty for a prospective buyer to consider when deciding which performance criteria is better suited to them in an aircraft. These two business jets offer great value in the new and pre-owned markets today.

• Find Dassault Falcon Jets for Sale
• Find Bombardier Challenger Jets for Sale

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