Where it fits well
- 459 kt cruise supports fast regional travel.
- 3824 nm advertised range creates a practical planning radius of about 2562 nm with 4 occupants.
- 2184 kg realistic payload proxy and 12 seats define the usable cabin mission.
Photo: Medical Air Service · CC BY 4.0 · representative variantKey figures
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 12 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 2184 kg |
| Advertised range | 3824 nm |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 2562 nm |
| Cruise speed | 459 kt |
| Runway need | ~1757 m |
| Pressurised | Yes |
| Fuel | Jet A-1 |
| Fixed annual base | €274k |
| Direct cost per flight hour | €4800 |
The ownership trade-off
The Challenger 604 combines 12-seat jet capability with about 3,664 NM reported range and about 459 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
Cost picture at different usage
- 40 hours/year: about €592k per year ( €14800 per flight hour all-in)
- 80 hours/year: about €784k per year ( €9800 per flight hour all-in)
- 120 hours/year: about €976k per year ( €8133 per flight hour all-in)
- 180 hours/year: about €1.26m per year ( €7022 per flight hour all-in)
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at €703k per year at 80 hours. Condition, engine time remaining and avionics matter more than the year itself — price the aircraft in front of you, not the model.
Limitations to price honestly
- The Challenger 604 combines 12-seat jet capability with about 3,664 NM reported range and about 459 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
- €274k fixed annual planning base before flying a single hour.
- Approximate 1757 m take-off requirement must be checked against runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading.
Recommended missions
- Family and small-group touring with a weight-and-balance check for every trip.
- Longer regional missions, with reserves and payload reducing brochure range.
- Time-sensitive business travel where dispatch reliability justifies the cost.