Light Jet7 seats2,040 nm
CessnaCitation CJ3+
Straight wing gives excellent short field numbers, which matters at mountain and island airports.
The aircraft
Where the Citation CJ3+ fits
Straight wing gives excellent short field numbers, which matters at mountain and island airports.
Light jets cover the majority of domestic charter demand. Six to eight seats, two to three hours of comfortable range, and access to nearly every business airport in the country. Most have an enclosed lavatory, most do not have a flight attendant.
On a 1,000 nautical mile sector the Cessna Citation CJ3+ plans out near 2h 48m. Push it to 2,000 nautical miles and you are looking at roughly 5h 15m, which is beyond what it will do without a fuel stop.
The cabin measures about 4.75 ft high by 4.8 ft wide across 15.7 ft of length. It is a seated cabin. You move between seats, you do not walk around.
The photograph above is representative of the class and does not show this specific type.
| Specification | Figure |
|---|---|
| Class | Light Jet |
| Typical seating | 7 passengers |
| Published range | 2,040 nm / 3,778 km |
| Typical cruise | 416 kt / 479 mph |
| Cabin height | 4.75 ft |
| Cabin width | 4.8 ft |
| Cabin length | 15.7 ft |
| Cabin volume | approx 258 cu ft |
| Baggage | 65 cu ft |
| Lavatory | Enclosed |
| Typical crew | 2 |
| Runway requirement | approx 3,180 ft at MTOW, sea level |
Reach
Routes it flies nonstop
Published city pairs the Cessna Citation CJ3+ covers without a fuel stop, using under 80 percent of its book range so a full cabin does not change the answer.
Questions
About the Citation CJ3+
How many passengers does the Cessna Citation CJ3+ carry?
Typical charter seating is 7. Maximum certificated seating can be higher, but the practical number falls once baggage and sector length are counted, because seats and fuel compete for the same weight allowance. On a short leg you may fit the full 7. On a leg near the range limit you will not.
What is the range of the Cessna Citation CJ3+?
Published maximum range is 2,040 nautical miles, about 3,778 km. Plan real missions at roughly 80 percent of that figure with a full cabin. Headwinds, a hot departure field and high elevation all reduce it further, which is why we flag legs above that threshold for operator confirmation.
How fast is the Cessna Citation CJ3+?
Typical cruise is 416 knots, which is about 479 mph. On a 1,000 nautical mile sector that works out near 2h 48m block to block once taxi, climb and descent are included. Short sectors run proportionally slower because the aircraft never settles at cruise.
What runway length does the Cessna Citation CJ3+ need?
Balanced field length at maximum takeoff weight, sea level, standard temperature is about 3,180 ft. That is the best case. Add elevation, add heat, add a wet runway, and the requirement grows, which is the mechanism behind most weight restrictions at mountain airports on summer afternoons.
Does the Cessna Citation CJ3+ have a lavatory?
Enclosed lavatory. It is a separate compartment with a door, not a curtained seat.
Alternatives
Other light jets
| Aircraft | Seats | Range | Cruise | Cabin height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer Phenom 300E | 8 | 2,010 nm | 464 kt | 4.9 ft |
| Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen2 | 8 | 2,165 nm | 451 kt | 4.75 ft |
| Learjet 75 Liberty | 6 | 2,080 nm | 464 kt | 4.9 ft |
| Learjet 45XR | 8 | 2,000 nm | 464 kt | 4.9 ft |
| Nextant 400XTi | 7 | 2,003 nm | 447 kt | 4.75 ft |
Photography on this site is representative. It does not depict a specific aircraft, operator or tail number offered for charter.