The Challenger 604 is the airframe that made the CL-600 series a routine long-range heavy in the late 1990s: 4,000 nautical miles of range, GE CF34-3B turbofans, and cabin refinements that still hold up in a 2026 charter market. For Naples snowbird clients, the 604 is one of the reliable answers to ‘we want a wide-body for eight to ten people, TEB to APF nonstop, with pets.’
Bombardier certified the Challenger 604 in 1996, replacing the 601. The upgrades were structural (higher MTOW), aerodynamic (the same winglets carried over from later 601 builds), and interior (redesigned cabin with more usable space and modern avionics for its time). Production ran through 2006 when the 605 took over. The 604 remains one of the most common heavy jets in North American Part 135 service.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Heavy Jet
- Manufacturer: Bombardier Aerospace
- Year introduced: 1996
- Seating: 9 to 12
- Crew: 2
- Range: 4,000 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 459 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 604 Fits Naples
The 4,000 nautical mile range comfortably handles every Naples snowbird pairing nonstop: TEB, HPN, BED, PWK, YYZ, PTK, and Aspen all fly with a full cabin and reserves. Outbound legs to the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Puerto Rico are inside the type’s normal envelope. The 604 also has a real 115 cubic feet of baggage, which matters for a family of eight arriving with golf bags and a week of luggage.
APF at 6,600 feet is the same case-by-case departure story as the other CL-600 heavies at MTOW. What the 604 gets right for Naples is the frequency of the airframe in operator fleets: when a client needs a heavy jet with 3 to 5 days of lead time in season, a 604 is almost always available at APF or a reasonable reposition.
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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 604 run $7,500 to $9,500 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
A PWK to APF full-cabin winter run in a Challenger 604 typically bills 3.5 flight hours plus reposition.
Other Heavy Jets Available
- Bombardier Challenger 650
- Cessna Citation Hemisphere
- Challenger 600
- Challenger 601
- Challenger 605
- Dassault Falcon 2000LXS
Contact
For a quote on a Challenger 604 charter in or out of Naples, 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.