The Challenger 601 is the version that made the family work properly, and out of Los Angeles it is the value pick among the wide-cabin heavies. Same twelve-seat cabin as the 600, new engines, winglets, and 3,500 nautical miles of range.
Canadair re-engined the Challenger with General Electric CF34 turbofans and added winglets to create the 601, transforming the range and reliability of the original. Nine to twelve seats, 443 knots and 3,500 nautical miles. Full specifications for the Challenger 601 are published by Bombardier.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Heavy Jet
- Manufacturer: Canadair (later Bombardier)
- Year introduced: 1984
- Seating: 9 to 12
- Crew: 2
- Range: 3,500 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 443 knots
- Service ceiling: 41,000 feet
- Length: 68.4 feet
- Wingspan: 64.3 feet
- Height: 20.7 feet
- Baggage volume: 115 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the Challenger 601 Fits Los Angeles
Seven hundred extra nautical miles over the 600 is what turns this into a national aircraft from Los Angeles rather than a regional one. New York, Miami and the Caribbean come into reach with a working payload, and the return leg stops being the part of the plan you worry about.
The CF34 engines are the same family that power regional airliners, which means a mature support picture and operators who know the aircraft well. On an older airframe that matters more than the specification sheet does.
Ontario is the field worth knowing for a fully fueled Challenger departure. It runs 24 hours with no curfew and has 12,197 feet of runway, which suits a heavy jet leaving late for the East Coast with a full cabin.
Gallery
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Challenger 601 run $7,000 to $9,000 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The Challenger 601 quotes just above the 600 and well below the 604, and for a Los Angeles transcontinental group it is usually the best value in the category.
Other Heavy Jets Available
- Bombardier Challenger 650
- Cessna Citation Hemisphere
- Challenger 600
- Challenger 604
- Challenger 605
- Dassault Falcon 2000LXS
The full heavy jets category page lists every heavy jet we arrange for Los Angeles departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Challenger 601 charter in or out of Los Angeles, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.