When a Nashville 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 Nashville
With 2,811 nautical miles of published range, it covers trips from Nashville to destinations such as Houston, Cancun and St. Maarten, allowing for reserves and routing. Spring and early summer bring thunderstorms to Middle Tennessee, and a strong line of storms can hold departures until it passes.
Nashville trips in an aircraft this size usually start at Nashville International (BNA), which is staffed around the clock and is the only airport in the Nashville area with customs. Whether the aircraft can use a particular airport on your date is a calculation the operator makes for that weight and that day’s weather, and your advisor will confirm it before anything is booked.
How Nashville Clients Use the Challenger 850
When a Nashville group outgrows a heavy jet, this is the next step. The cabin is an airliner fitted out privately, and fewer of these aircraft are available, so the lead time is longer than for a business jet.
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 suggest a better one.
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 in or out of Nashville, 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.