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The Gulfstream G280 did not begin life as a Gulfstream. Its roots trace to the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Galaxy, an early entrant into the super-mid category. The Galaxy first flew in 1997 with a wider fuselage and the wing of the Astra SPX. Gulfstream acquired Galaxy Aerospace in 2001, and the Galaxy became the G200 while the Astra SPX became the G100. The airframes were developed further with a new wing, redesigned cabin, updated Honeywell HTF7250G engines and certified as the G280 in 2012.Fifteen years later, the next-generation Gulfstream G300 is planned to enter service in 2027 to replace the G280. While that could eventually result in more G280s entering the used market, it is not the only super-midsize jet to choose from. The Challenger 350 and 300 are also options that look very similar on paper, but can offer very different ownership experiences.So which one belongs in your hangar? This comparison sets the G280, Challenger 350 and Challenger 300 side by side on speed, range, hourly cost, price and cabin, using specifications and live listing data from GlobalAir.com. The numbers are close enough that each jet makes a compelling case. Mission alignment is typically what helps decide which is best for you. G280 vs Challenger 350 vs Challenger 300: the numbers at a glanceSpecifications and market figures below come from GlobalAir.com as of Sept. 29, 2026. The sections that follow explain what the numbers mean.
Table 1. Source: GlobalAir.com aircraft specifications. Range varies with passenger load and reserves. The annual figure is the hourly cost multiplied by 200 flight hours.
Specification
Gulfstream G280
Challenger 350
Challenger 300
Normal cruise speed
470 kts
450 kts
459 kts
Maximum speed
482 kts
470 kts
476 kts
Normal range
3,420 nm
3,200 nm
3,065 nm
Maximum range
3,600 nm
3,400 nm
3,340 nm
Cabin volume
935 cu ft
860 cu ft
860 cu ft
Cabin width
7'2"
7'2"
7'2"
Cabin height
6'1"
6'0"
6'1"
Passengers
Up to 10
Up to 10
Up to 10 (lavatory conversion)
Engines
Honeywell HTF7250G
Honeywell HTF7350
Honeywell HTF7000
Entered service
2012
2014
2004
Hourly operating cost
$6,687
$6,708
$6,727
Hourly cost x 200 hours
$1,337,400
$1,341,600
$1,345,400
Table 2. Source: GlobalAir.com listings and sales data, Sept. 29, 2026. Average asking price reflects only listings that publish a price. Transactions are aircraft reported sold or under contract.
Market snapshot
Gulfstream G280
Challenger 350
Challenger 300
Aircraft listed
6
3
10
Model years listed
2014 to 2016
2017 to 2020
2005 to 2012
Average asking price
$16.3M
$18.5M
$11.2M
Listings with a published price
1 of 6
1 of 3
3 of 10
Average days on market
190
111
177
Average total time
3,274 hours
2,308 hours
5,586 hours
Inquiries, past 30 days
49
27
29
Inquiries per listing
8
9
3
Transactions, past 12 months
20
21
23
Transactions, past 6 months
9
11
16Which is fastest: the G280, Challenger 350 or Challenger 300?The G280 is the fastest of the three. The Gulfstream G280 has a normal cruise speed of 470 kts with a maximum speed of 482 kts. The Challenger 350 is slightly slower with a normal cruise of 450 kts and a maximum speed of 470 kts. The Challenger 300 is faster than the 350 at 459 kts normal cruise and 476 kts maximum.The gaps look small on paper. The G280 holds a 20-kt edge over the 350 and an 11-kt edge over the 300 at normal cruise. On a 1,000 nm leg in still air, that saves nearly six minutes against the 350. A charter operator flying the same leg twice a week will notice. An owner flying a few trips a month will not. Range is what separates the three.Which flies farthest, and can any of them cross the Atlantic?Where the 350 improves upon its predecessor is range. The jet has a normal range of 3,200 nm and a maximum range of 3,400 nm, while the 300 has a normal range of 3,065 nm and a maximum range of 3,340 nm. The G280 beats them both with a normal range of 3,420 nm and a maximum range of 3,600 nm.The G280's normal range is 220 nm beyond the 350's and 355 nm beyond the 300's. That gap can be overlooked, but it could be the difference between a non-stop and fuel stop for a city pair such as Teterboro to Nice. Teterboro to Farnborough is more indicative of the 300's limits, making it with about 80 nm to spare. The next question is what each one costs to run.How much does each cost to operate per hour and per year?Hourly costs are extremely close among the three. Per GlobalAir.com's aircraft specifications, the G280 is the cheapest at $6,687 per hour, followed by the 350 at $6,708 and the 300 at $6,727. That is a $40 gap from cheapest to most expensive. At 200 hours a year, that's an $8,000 delta for aircraft with asking prices that start at $10M. Call it a draw. All three run Honeywell engines: the HTF7250G on the G280, the HTF7350 on the 350 and the HTF7000 on the 300. Engine program coverage is a question to put to every seller but that's a topic for a different day. The wider gap sits in what it costs to buy.How much does a used G280, Challenger 350 or Challenger 300 cost?The Challenger 300 has the lowest bar for entry, the 350 costs the most and the G280 sits in between. According to GlobalAir.com's listings on Sept. 29, there are 10 Challenger 300s, 3 Challenger 350s and 6 Gulfstream G280s listed. The 350s are the newest, with models ranging from 2017 to 2020 with one carrying the largest average asking price of $18.5M. They spend an average of 111 days on the market. The Challenger 300s are the oldest aircraft listed with models from 2005 to 2012 and an average asking price of $11.2M. They average 177 days on the market. The Gulfstream G280 has an average asking price of $16.3M and the longest average time on market, at 190 days, with model years ranging from 2014 to 2016.Conversely, the G280 is the most popular listed aircraft when measured by buyer interest and inquiries. Over the past 30 days, GlobalAir.com recorded 49 inquiries on the six G280s, 29 on the 10 Challenger 300s and 27 on the three 350s. Transactions over the past 12 months run 21 for the 350, 23 for the 300 and 20 for the G280, with the 350's small inventory turns over fastest. Hours separate the fleets too. The average listed 350 has about 2,308 hours, the G280 about 3,274 and the 300 about 5,586, more than twice the 350's figure.The G280 asks less than the 350 despite a bigger cabin and longer range. Model year likely explains part of that (the listed G280s are 2014 to 2016 builds and the 350s are 2017 to 2020 builds), with the upcoming G300 replacement casting a shadow on values as well.For those ready to step into another budget category beyond the 350, Bombardier's newer Challenger 3500, which entered service in September 2022 and keeps the 350's engines, avionics and performance, was priced at $26.7 million at entry into service, according to AIN. But price only matters if the cabin works for the task at hand, and that is the next place to look.Which has the biggest cabin?While all three aircraft can seat up to 10 passengers, the Gulfstream G280 is the biggest. All three cabins share an identical width of 7'2", so the G280's lead is measured in length and volume. Its cabin is 25'10" long and 6'1" tall for a total cabin volume of 935 cubic feet. The Challenger 350's cabin is 25'2" long and 6'0" tall, and both Challengers have the same cabin volume at 860 cubic feet.That gives the G280 about 9 percent more volume. GlobalAir.com's specifications list the Challenger 300 at up to 10 seats with a lavatory conversion, with a recommend 8 to 9 passengers in the sweet spot. The 75 extra cubic feet available on the G280 comes back into play when reviewing mission.Where does the Gulfstream G300 fit?Gulfstream unveiled the G300 in September 2025 as the G280's replacement and is reportedly rated at 3,600 nm at Mach 0.80 with a maximum cruise altitude of 45,000 feet and seats up to 10 passengers. Deliveries are projected to begin in 2027. The 3,600 nm is identical to the G280's listed maximum.GlobalAir.com's G300 coverage pointed out that G280s, which entered service in 2012, are well into a natural replacement window. With fleet hours continuing to add up, a G280 used inventory and desirability mismatch may be coming. Which jet fits your mission?Each aircraft brings a different advantage to the table. The Challenger 300 offers the lowest acquisition cost, the Challenger 350 provides a newer airframe and the shortest time on the market and the Gulfstream G280 delivers the best combination of speed, range and cabin volume. Here is how that sorts by buyer.
Table 3. Figures from GlobalAir.com's Sept. 29, 2026 listings and specifications.
If your priority is
Best fit
The number behind it
Longest range
Gulfstream G280
3,420 nm normal range, 220 nm beyond the 350
Biggest cabin
Gulfstream G280
935 cubic feet against 860 for both Challengers
Lowest asking price
Challenger 300
$11.2M average across three published prices
Newer airframe, faster sale
Challenger 350
2017 to 2020 builds, 111 days on the market on average
Newest Challenger
Challenger 3500
Entered service in September 2022
Waiting on the G300
Watch the G280 market
G300 deliveries are targeted for 2027
The G280 belongs to the buyer whose missions run near the edge of the category. It has 220 nm more normal range than the 350, 355 nm more than the 300 and 75 cubic feet more cabin than either. Before treating 3,420 nm as an absolute, check the longest trip on your schedule against the manufacturer's range charts with real passenger loads and reserves.The Challenger 300 has the lowest price of entry. Its three published asking prices run from $10.0M to $12.75M and average $11.2M, millions below the other two. The listed aircraft are 2005 to 2012 builds averaging about 5,586 hours, more than twice the 350's, so the savings will immediately start to dwindle with a pre-buy that will likely take more time and money than the others. Buyer interest is the most tepid at the moment, averaging about three inquiries per listing.The 350, even with the highest price of the three, suits the buyer who is already thinking about the sale. Its listed examples are 2017 to 2020 builds averaging about 2,308 hours, the average listing sits 111 days, and 21 transactions in the past 12 months against three current listings show how quickly inventory moves. A buyer who wants the newest Challenger can also consider the 3500, which entered service in September 2022, and boasts improvements that include a 4,850-foot cabin altitude, upgraded Nuage seats, and an autothrottle.For buyers tracking the G300, the G280's asking price is the number to watch as Gulfstream's 2027 delivery target continues to draw closer.Frequently asked questions about the G280, Challenger 350 and Challenger 300Can the Gulfstream G280, Challenger 350 or Challenger 300 cross the Atlantic?On paper, yes. A Teterboro to Farnborough trip is roughly 2,985 nm by great-circle distance. The G280's normal range of 3,420 nm clears that by about 435 nm, the Challenger 350's 3,200 nm by about 215 nm and the Challenger 300's 3,065 nm by about 80 nm. Winds, reserves and passenger load will narrow those margins, so the 300 has the thinnest cushion.How fast are the Challenger 350, Challenger 300 and Gulfstream G280?At normal cruise the G280 flies 470 kts, the Challenger 300 flies 459 kts and the Challenger 350 flies 450 kts. Maximum speeds are 482, 476 and 470 kts. On a 1,000 nm leg in still air, the G280 saves nearly six minutes against the 350.How much does a used Challenger 350, Challenger 300 or Gulfstream G280 cost?In GlobalAir.com's Sept. 29 listings, average asking prices were $11.2M for the Challenger 300, $16.3M for the G280 and $18.5M for the Challenger 350. The 350 and G280 averages each rest on one published price, and three of the 10 Challenger 300s publish one.What does each jet cost to operate per hour and per year?Per GlobalAir.com's aircraft specifications, hourly operating costs are $6,687 for the G280, $6,708 for the Challenger 350 and $6,727 for the Challenger 300. At 200 hours a year, that comes to about $1.34M for each.Which has the biggest cabin?The G280, at 935 cubic feet against 860 for both Challengers. All three cabins are 7'2" wide, so the G280's edge is length and volume.Should you wait for the Gulfstream G300?Based on range alone, no. The G300 is rated at 3,600 nm is the same as the G280's listed maximum. If a modern Harmony flight deck with six touchscreens, high-thrust Honeywell engines and 10 panoramic oval windows move the needle, then yes.Browse current Gulfstream G280 listings, Challenger 350 listings and Challenger 300 listings on GlobalAir.com