Embraer Legacy 650E vs Gulfstream G280 vs Challenger 350

Now available from the OEM at comparable price points, how does the larger Embraer Legacy 650E compare with the Gulfstream G280 and Bombardier Challenger 350 private jets?

Mike Chase  |  01st July 2020
    Back to Articles
    Mike Chase
    Mike Chase

    Michael Chase owns Chase & Associates, an aviation consulting firm specialized in industry product...

    When a manufacturer lowers the price of an aircraft (as Embraer has for its Legacy 650E), will it stimulate more demand? The following comparison will consider how much additional payload, range, cabin size and overall productivity is available, and whether it follows that just because a larger aircraft is priced competitively, it is automatically the right aircraft for the buyer.

    What other factors play into the decision to upsize? These questions will be considered over the following paragraphs.

    Embraer Legacy 650/650E

    Announced in 2009, the original Embraer Legacy 650 is a longer-range version of the Legacy 600 capable of flying 3,919nm nonstop with four passengers. Almost 100 units were produced (96 were in operation at the time of writing), before Embraer upgraded the model as the Legacy 650E (the ‘E’ representing Evolution) in 2017.

    The Legacy 650E includes Primus Elite avionics from Honeywell, and it carries up to 14 passengers in three cabin zones. Compared to the Legacy 650, the aircraft features automation, technology updates and re-styled seats among other things. A ten-year, or 10,000 flight-hour warranty and a lower price is now offered by Embraer, and the price of the Legacy 650E has been reduced from $31m to $25.9m.

    Currently, there are 96 Legacy 650 jets and 13 Legacy 650Es in operation and, as of May 2020 Europe accounted for the largest combined Legacy 650/650E fleet percentage (38%), followed by Asia (36%) and North and South America (12% each), according to JETNET. Interestingly, Legacy 650/650Es have a large percentage (38%) of fleet owners, with Air Hamburg being the largest, with 15 aircraft.

    Gulfstream G280

    Entering service in 2012, the super-mid sized Gulfstream G280 is an improved G200 model (by way of a 288nm increase in range, 4,150 pounds of added MGTOW, and a 210-foot reduction in balanced field length). Moreover, the Gulfstream G280 has four more side windows than the G200 and improved insulation, aiding the cabin environment.

    The performance improvements owe to a re-designed wing (based on that of the G550), a larger tail, and Honeywell HTF7250G engines, each offering 1,584lbst. Other improvements include additional cabin length and Honeywell’s Plane View 280 glass cockpit avionics package.

    As of May 2020, there were 193 G280 aircraft in operation worldwide (191 are wholly owned), and North America has the largest fleet percentage (84%), followed by Asia (6%) and Europe (7%), for a combined total of 97%, per JETNET data.

    Embraer Legacy 650E flying over the ocean
    How much do the jets cost?
    Embraer Legacy 650E
    $25.9 m
    Gulfstream G280
    $24.5 m
    Bombardier Challenger 350
    $26.7 m
    What is the payload?
    Embraer Legacy 650E
    4,939 lbs
    Gulfstream G280
    4,000 lbs
    Bombardier Challenger 350
    3,400 lbs
    How many Passengers
    Embraer Legacy 650E
    13
    Gulfstream G280
    8
    Bombardier Challenger 350
    8
    What is the range?
    Embraer Legacy 650E
    3,919 nm
    Gulfstream G280
    3,646 nm
    Bombardier Challenger 350
    3,250 nm
    What's the long range cruising speed
    Embraer Legacy 650E
    425 knots
    Gulfstream G280
    459 knots
    Bombardier Challenger 350
    459 knots
    What's the cost per hour
    Embraer Legacy 650E
    US$2,780
    Gulfstream G280
    US$2,420
    Bombardier Challenger 350
    US$2,260

    Read More About: Bombardier Challenger 350

    Related Articles

    Mike Chase

    Mike Chase

    Editor, Aircraft Comparisons

    Michael Chase owns Chase & Associates, an aviation consulting firm specialized in industry product and market research in the Commercial & Business Aviation sectors.

    With over five decades of extensive experience, Michael has worked as a director of special projects for JETNET, LLC; served as Senior Management Consultant for Sabre Holding; and was Director of Market & Sales Research for Gulfstream Aerospace, leading sales and product research, including feasibility and viability studies.


    SHARE THIS ARTICLE

    Print

    Other Articles

    Embraer Legacy 650
    Please call
    Oman
    loder image