Bombardier has just announced an update to its best-selling Challenger 350 super-midsize private jet, which not only has a ton of compelling new features, but doesn’t come with the price hike you might expect. That’s right, despite new “zero-gravity” seating and voice-controlled cabin technology, the price of the Bombardier Challenger 3500 has remained firm at US$26.7 million (AU$37.3 million).
It was back in 2014 that the Bombardier Challenger 350 was first introduced to the market by the Canadian business jet manufacturer. More than half a decade later, however, a revitalisation was due. While much of what the passengers interact with have been updated, the top-line specs of the Challenger 3500 remain the same as its predecessor.
That means the 10-passenger jet still boasts twin Honeywell HTF7350 engines to see it off the ground, a range of around 3,200m (5,926km) and a top speed of Mach 0.83 (1,025kph). Its cabin upgrades, on the other hand, are significant. With a totally original seating design, passengers can tuck their feet under their centre of gravity as the plane cuts through the air.
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The tactile improvements to the experience of the jet don’t stop there. The cabin has been redesigned for equivalent air pressure of 4,850ft while cruising at 41,000ft, which is 2,000ft less than the Challenger 350. This is to make the cabin feel more similar to the air pressure of most cities, allowing for a more relaxed and comfortable flight.
As alluded to earlier, the environmental controls of the cabin are now voice-activated, allowing you to adjust the lights, temperature, and entertainment without lifting a single finger. The entertainment systems have been improved too, with 24-inch 4K video displays, and a specially designed sound system optimised for the skies.
Despite all of these updates and improvements, Bombardier has kept the price of the Challenger 3500 the same as its previous generation, making the new aircraft enticingly value-packed. So value-packed, in fact, that one enthusiastic client has already placed a US$534 million (AU$747 million) order for 20 aircraft.
