When a Chicago trip involves a large group and a long distance, a VIP airliner is usually the aircraft being priced.
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 Chicago
Out of Chicago, this is an aircraft that fits a particular kind of trip. With 2,811 nautical miles of published range, it covers trips from Chicago to destinations such as New York, Jackson Hole and San Francisco, allowing for reserves and routing. De-icing season runs from roughly November through March in Chicago, and it affects departure timing, ramp availability and cost.
In Chicago this size of aircraft is usually discussed against Chicago Midway International (KMDW), DuPage Airport (KDPA), Gary/Chicago International (KGYY) and O’Hare (KORD), which carry the region’s longest runways and handle customs. Whether it can use a particular airport on your date is the operator’s performance calculation for that aircraft, that weight and that day, and your advisor will confirm it before anything is booked.
How Chicago Clients Use the Challenger 850
When a Chicago group outgrows a heavy jet, this is the next step. The cabin is an airliner fuselage fitted out privately, and the lead time is longer than a business jet because far fewer are available.
Tell us the route, the passenger count and what is traveling with you, and your advisor will confirm whether this aircraft is the right fit or point you to a better one. We will also tell you which Chicago-area field makes the most sense for the trip.
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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.
- 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 9/2026)
Contact
Call an advisor at +1-888-987-5387 at any hour, or send the trip through our contact page. You can read how we check operators, crews and insurance on our safety page.
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.