Aircraft Sales Guide

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How the Challenger 350 Became a Bestseller Jet

Debuting in 2003, the Challenger 300 immediately became a favorite in its class, surpassing the Gulfstream II due to its generous thrust-to-weight ratio, large wings, and agility.

The Challenger 300 was not only more modern but also more affordable. In other respects, it was on par with its competitors: offering transcontinental range, a flat floor, an eight-passenger cabin, in-flight luggage access, and reliability.

Sales quickly began to break records, as the competition at the time was limited. The closest competitor in terms of cabin size, the Gulfstream G200, lagged behind in flight performance.

A potential competitor in terms of flight performance could have been the Hawker 4000, but due to a decade of reliability issues, it lost momentum. As for the Dassault Falcon 50EX, the Challenger 300 outperformed it in operating costs.

For almost a decade, the Challenger 300 held the top spot in the midsize and super-midsize classes, as no other aircraft could offer such a combination of cabin comfort, flight performance, operational economy, and reliability. By mid-2014, Bombardier had sold and delivered more than 450 Challenger 300 aircraft.

However, during this time, the market changed significantly, and the super-midsize segment became increasingly crowded. New, more high-tech models emerged, such as the Embraer Legacy 500, Gulfstream G280, and the upgraded Cessna Citation Sovereign+ and Citation X.

With such serious competition, the Challenger 300 could no longer rely on its previous leadership. After carefully assessing the situation, Bombardier executives decided not to launch a full-fledged replacement program for the Challenger 300. Instead, they chose to implement the improvements requested by operators.

Engineers transformed the Challenger 300 into a new model, adding streamlined avionics, more powerful engines, more efficient winglets, and upgraded cabin features. The maximum takeoff weight increased by 794 kg, and other weight parameters were adjusted to meet customer demands.

The result was the Challenger 350, a model that surpasses the original in nearly every way but is priced only $1.68 million higher. The aircraft's first flight took place on March 2, 2013.

The Challenger 350 is now one of the most sought-after business jets in the world. It was first presented to the public in May 2013 at the Geneva EBACE exhibition.

Externally, the aircraft can be recognized by its larger passenger windows and new beveled winglets.

The Challenger 350’s estimated flight range, with eight passengers at Mach 0.8, is 3,200 nautical miles (5,926 km), with a maximum flight speed of Mach 0.82.

The Bombardier Challenger 350, based on the Challenger 300, features several significant upgrades. The new model boasts an increased takeoff weight due to engine replacements, the new Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced avionics, and a cutting-edge artificial vision system that provides a complete 3D view of the external landscape. It also features a dual inertial coordinate system that automatically determines the aircraft's location, speed, and spatial orientation.

In its standard configuration, the cabin layout accommodates eight passengers in two sections, though an optional three-seat sofa can replace two seats at the rear of the cabin.

The Challenger 350’s cabin, already the widest in its class and featuring a flat floor, receives a completely redesigned interior. Along with more natural light from large windows, passengers can enjoy the latest generation of entertainment systems from Lufthansa Technik, sit in new, more comfortable seats, experience an improved environmental control system, and appreciate the interior decor with metal accents, a first for business jet cabins.

Exclusive onboard amenities include an automatic machine for preparing portioned hot drinks and a proprietary entertainment system based on a tablet computer.

The luggage compartment is quite spacious, offering three cubic meters of storage. Access is available both externally and from within the cabin, further enhancing the convenience of the flight.

The Challenger 350’s cabin is more spacious than those of the Legacy 500 and the high-speed Citation X. It measures approximately 13.6 m², and the ceiling height (185 cm) allows passengers to stand fully upright.

The updated interior control system allows passengers to adjust settings via touch panels or directly from their smartphones. The large, comfortable chairs can also be converted into berths, and a wide aisle runs between them for added comfort.