Recently we acquired a Challenger 850 corporate jet to provide charter services in Europe. In doing so, you can imagine we had to do quite a bit of research before making the acquisition. Today, we thought we’d share some of the things we learned in the process of uncovering the Challenger 850’s history.
To understand it’s evolution, one needs only to look at Bombardier’s CRJ200 regional airliner. This was an effective and popular regional airliner and its rugged airframe inspired the creation of a larger version. The Challenger 850 is a rebranded and modified version of the CRJ200 that combines the capabilities of a regional airliner with the benefits of a corporate jet that could be configured for business and private charter use. Thus the 850 was designed with both speed, range and comfort in mind.
The Challenger 850 was a success for Bombardier right out of the gate. In a press release dated July 14, 2005, Bombardier touts its leadership in the growing Eastern Europe business aviation market. The press release went on to announce the first sale of the aircraft to a customer in Eastern Europe only 3 weeks after its launch. That first buyer chose the 850 for the purpose of shuttling company employees between certain operation sites within Europe.
While, no longer produced by Bombardier, today the Challenger 850 is still considered an excellent choice as a corporate shuttle thanks to its proven reliability and economical operation. Originally designed with 3 cabin configuration options, the aircraft could accommodate up to 27 passengers in business class seats, or the more popular versions with 12 to 17 passenger configurations (our version seats 16). This, along with state of the art avionics and design features, make it a great option for companies who need to move corporate team members around efficiently.
With one of the largest corporate cabins available, the Challenger 850 offers the range to reach popular destinations in Europe, Russia, Middle East and North Africa with the kind of luxury often associated with heavy jets. It also includes a class leading baggage capacity of 1150 kgs ensuring that customers can be accompanied by all the things they need for a successful trip. Meals can be as extravagant as guests request thanks to a full galley and 2 heating ovens. The 850 can also be outfitted with excellent WiFi connectivity to allow passengers to work or play.
This is definitely a great choice for corporations who put business and efficiency first so that they can be where they need to be at a price that suits their bottom line.