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Ownership Cost

Bombardier Challenger 600 Operating Costs & Market Price

Everything you need to know about the costs to own and operate the Bombardier Challenger 600. Fixed and variable cost detailed breakdown.

BenedictPrivate Aviation ConsultantUpdated September 4, 2025 · Published December 20, 2024 · 2 min read
Bombardier Challenger 600 black private jet coming for landing

At a glance

class rate, published rates
Charter, large jet
$14,500–$16,500/hr
Passengers
Up to 17
Range
2,909 nm
$2,015/hr in fuel today, est.
Fuel burn
262 gal/hr
Cruise speed
458 kts

Estimates in USD. Operating costs vary with fuel price, region and mission. Fuel today at $7.69 a gallon, our estimate of the U.S. average FBO price for Jet A: jet fuel price today.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 is a large business jet with deliveries running from 1980 to 1983.

At present, there are 83 Challenger 600 aircraft currently in active service.

Given the Challenger 600 is an older aircraft, the operating costs are slightly higher than more modern equivalent aircraft. However, the acquisition cost is, of course, much lower.

We don't publish a cost estimate for the Bombardier Challenger 600 yet. No fuel burn we can cite: the manufacturer publishes no average and Conklin & de Decker's published averages don't list it. For a guide, the median large jet in our model costs about $1,073,567 a year in fixed costs and $6,637 a flight hour, or $2,396,517 a year flown 200 hours. Compare every model we estimate.

On the pre-owned market the average price of the Bombardier Challenger 600 comes in at $800,000, with a low price of $700,000 and a high of $900,000.

Naturally, this cost will vary depending on many factors – such as fuel price, region of operation, mission type, and more.

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Bombardier Challenger 600 black private jet coming for landing

Jean-Claude Caprara / Shutterstock.com

Acquisition Cost & Depreciation

When it comes to the cost of acquiring a Bombardier Challenger 600, several factors come into play, including the year of manufacture, aircraft history, and flight hours.

When new, the Challenger 600 typically had a base price of $9 million. Naturally, this price could go higher depending on the options and configuration selected.

On the pre-owned market, the prices vary significantly, with a 1980 model of the Challenger 600 being able to be purchased for around $700,000.

Models from the last few years, such as those from 1983, can cost up to $900,000.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 experiences an annual depreciation rate of approximately 8%.

Overview of the Bombardier Challenger 600

The Challenger 600 can accommodate up to 17 passengers, with a maximum baggage capacity of 115 cubic feet.

When in its optimum configuration, the Bombardier Challenger 600 can cruise non-stop for up to 2,909 nautical miles (3,348 miles / 5,387 km).

However, when configured for the fastest cruise speed, the Challenger 600 can maintain a cruise speed of 458 knots.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 can cruise at up to 41,000 feet. Additionally, the Challenger 600 has an average hourly fuel burn of 262 Gallons per Hour (GPH).

Thanks to its Lycoming ALF 502 engines, the Challenger 600 has a total thrust output of 15,000 lbs.

Fixed Vs Variable Costs

When you own a private jet, you have to deal with fixed costs and variable costs.

Fixed costs are the same every month, no matter how much you fly. These include things like hangar rental, insurance, crew salaries, and maintenance.

They stay the same whether you fly a lot or hardly ever.

Variable costs, on the other hand, change with how much you fly. They include fuel, landing fees, food for passengers, and unexpected repairs.

The more you fly, the more these costs add up. Knowing the difference helps you plan your budget and figure out if owning a jet is worth it.

Featured Image: Jean-Claude Caprara / Shutterstock.com

How we estimate these costs

Every figure on our ownership-cost pages comes from one model, built the same way for each aircraft from public inputs: crew pay from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, fuel burn from the manufacturer or Conklin & de Decker, one Jet A price from our jet fuel price data, and stated estimates by size class for hangar, insurance, training, management and maintenance.

Why there is no estimate for the Bombardier Challenger 600 yet: No fuel burn we can cite: the manufacturer publishes no average and Conklin & de Decker's published averages don't list it. We would rather leave it out than fill the gap with a guess or another company's figures.

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