Putting an entire wedding party or company group on one airliner means everyone lands in the Bahamas together, with nobody waiting for a second aircraft.
Bombardier introduced the Challenger 850 in 2006. It seats 14 to 16 with a published range of 2,811 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 459 knots. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 41,000 feet, 202 cubic feet of baggage volume and an enclosed lavatory.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: VIP Airliner
- Manufacturer: Bombardier Aerospace
- Year introduced: 2006
- Seating: 14 to 16
- Crew: 2
- Range: 2,811 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 459 knots
- Service ceiling: 41,000 feet
- Length: 87.8 feet
- Wingspan: 69.6 feet
- Height: 20.4 feet
- Baggage volume: 202 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the Challenger 850 Fits the Bahamas
With 2,811 nautical miles of published range, it can fly between Nassau and cities such as Charlotte, Boston and Los Angeles, allowing for reserves and routing. Winter and spring are the busiest seasons in the Bahamas, and the holidays book up first, so call early for those dates.
Larger aircraft usually fly into Nassau or Grand Bahama, and Nassau is open around the clock, while the operator confirms which Bahamas airport suits the aircraft on the day. The runway an aircraft needs is calculated by the operator for that day’s conditions, and we confirm it with the operator for your trip.
How Bahamas Clients Use the Challenger 850
Only a handful of these aircraft are available, and the winter season keeps them busy, so a large Bahamas group should start the conversation early.
Name the island, the head count and the gear (coolers, rods and dive tanks count), and your advisor will check this aircraft against the trip or put a better match in front of you.
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.
- 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
- Estimated hourly rate: $14,000 to $18,000 (as of 10/2026)
Other VIP Airliners Available
- McDonnell Douglas MD-83
- Airbus A320 (VIP)
- Airbus A340-300
- Airbus A340-600
- Airbus ACJ318
- Airbus ACJ318 Elite
Contact
For a quote on a Challenger 850 charter to or from the Bahamas, call an advisor at 1-888-987-5387, or send the trip through our contact page. You can read how we review operators and crews on our safety page, and compare other categories in the aircraft gallery.
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.