Heavy jets are what we arrange from Nantucket when the passenger count and the distance both climb.
Canadair (later Bombardier) introduced the Challenger 601 in 1984. It is flown by a crew of 2. The type carries 9 to 12 passengers, cruises at 443 knots, tops out at 41,000 feet, covers 3,500 nautical miles and holds 115 cubic feet of baggage.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Heavy Jet
- Manufacturer: Canadair (later Bombardier)
- Year introduced: 1984
- Seating: 9 to 12
- Crew: 2
- Range: 3,500 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 443 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 601 Fits Nantucket
Heavy jet trips from Nantucket operate out of Nantucket Memorial (KACK), and an international leg clears customs at Cape Cod Gateway (KHYA) on the mainland.
A published range of 3,500 nautical miles brings Denver, Aspen, Los Angeles and San Francisco within reach of Nantucket, before the operator applies reserves and routing for the day.
Winds change the answer as well. A westbound leg into a headwind eats into range, so an aircraft that flies a route nonstop in one season may need a fuel stop in another.
There is no customs on Nantucket, so an international trip clears on the mainland. Cape Cod Gateway Airport at Hyannis is the nearest customs landing rights airport, and Martha’s Vineyard has none either.
Aircraft with more than nine passenger seats need two hours’ prior permission at Nantucket Memorial Airport, which covers most aircraft in this class. Your advisor makes that call, and it is one reason we ask for your timings early. Martha’s Vineyard requires prior permission twenty-four hours in advance.
The runway required on the day is a performance calculation the operator makes for that aircraft, at that weight, in the conditions on your date, so we confirm it with them for your specific trip.
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
Industry hourly rates for the Challenger 601 run $7,000 to $9,000 per hour as of 9/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
As a rough guide, Nantucket to San Francisco is about 2,399 nautical miles, which is roughly 5.5 to 6.0 hours of flight time at this aircraft’s cruise speed before winds and routing are applied.
Other Heavy Jets Available
- Bombardier Challenger 650
- Cessna Citation Hemisphere
- Challenger 600
- Challenger 604
- Challenger 605
- Dassault Falcon 2000LXS
Contact
For a quote on a Challenger 601 charter to or from Nantucket, call 1-888-987-5387 or visit 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.