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Light jet · Model

Cessna Citation CJ3+ Charter

The value pick of the light-jet class. Very efficient, easy to charter at short notice across North America and Europe, single-pilot certified, and one of the most produced business jets ever built.

RANGE
3,778 km
MAX PAX
6
TOP SPEED
416 kt
CABIN H.
1.45 m
Cessna Citation CJ3+ exterior

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Overview

The Cessna Citation CJ3+ at a glance

Charter clients pick the CJ3+ when the priority is honest range and predictable cost rather than a wide cabin. The Williams FJ44-3A engines burn about 150 gallons per hour at typical cruise, roughly 15 percent less than the Phenom 300, which flows straight through to lower hourly charter quotes. A single-pilot certification and a Garmin G3000 flight deck keep operator overhead low, and the aircraft is common enough that empty-leg availability is excellent. The trade-off is a narrower cabin (1.47 m width, 1.45 m height) than the Phenom, and a slightly slower cruise. For four-to-six passengers on missions up to about 3.5 hours the numbers are still very hard to beat, which is why the CJ3+ Gen2 successor launched in 2024 kept the same airframe and engines.
Specifications

Cessna Citation CJ3+ specifications & fast facts

Range
3,778 km
Passengers
6
Top speed
416 kt
Cabin height
1.45 m
Cabin width
1.47 m
Manufacturer
Textron Aviation (Cessna)
Country of origin
United States (Wichita, Kansas)
First flight
2014 (CJ3+ variant)
In production since
2014 (Gen2 refresh launched 2024)
Aircraft still built
Yes, superseded by CJ3+ Gen2 in current production
Units delivered
About 275 CJ3+ delivered by mid-2024 (plus 400+ earlier CJ3)
Engines
2 × Williams International FJ44-3A, 2,820 lbf each
Avionics
Garmin G3000 touchscreen with GFC-700 autopilot
Max cruise altitude
45,000 ft
Cabin altitude
8,000 ft at FL450
Baggage volume
1,840 L (65 cu ft, external heated compartment)
Takeoff distance
969 m (3,180 ft) at MTOW
Landing distance
844 m (2,770 ft)
Runway suitability
London City (weight limited), Aspen, Sion, Chambéry, most US regional fields
Certification
FAA Part 23, EASA CS-23, single-pilot certified
Lavatory
Fully enclosed aft belted lavatory
Ownership & operating costs

Cost to charter, buy and operate a Cessna Citation CJ3+

Charter rate (EUR/hr)
€2,700 to 3,600
Ex-tax, European operators
Charter rate (USD/hr)
$2,750 to 3,600
North American operators
List price, new
~$11M
Factory-new, current model year
Pre-owned market
$6.2 to 10.4M
5-8 year old aircraft
Annual fixed cost
$480,000 to 640,000
Crew, hangar, insurance
Variable cost per hour
$1,600 to 2,200
Fuel, maintenance, fees
Crew required
2 pilots standard, single-pilot certified. No cabin attendant required.
Fuel burn
150 gph typical cruise (about 570 L/h)
Typical cruise
Typical annual use
350 to 450 hrs/yr
Hangar footprint
15.6 m × 16.3 m

Numbers are indicative market ranges for 2025-2026 and vary by operator, region, and aircraft year. Ask the desk for a firm quote on your route.

Compare

Cessna Citation CJ3+ vs. similar light jets

How the Cessna Citation CJ3+ stacks up against the other light jets we charter. Tap any linked model for the full spec sheet.

Aircraft Range Pax Top speed Cabin H × W Notes
Embraer Phenom 300 3,650 km 7 464 kt 1.5 × 1.55 m The most-delivered business jet in the world for a decade. Best cabin in class, single-pilot approved, superb short-runway performance.
Cessna Citation CJ3+ This model 3,778 km 6 416 kt 1.45 × 1.47 m The value pick. Very efficient, easy to charter cheaply, cabin is a touch narrower than the Phenom.
Learjet 75 Liberty 3,852 km 6 465 kt 1.5 × 1.56 m Fastest light jet in the sky, 51,000 ft ceiling, only flat-floor cabin in class. Bombardier ended production in 2022 so the fleet is used-only but young.
Embraer Phenom 300 Learjet 75 Liberty

Considering a different size? Browse the full light jet lineup, or step up to a midsize jet for longer legs.

Gallery

Cessna Citation CJ3+ photos

Cessna Citation CJ3+ light jet in flight at golden hour
Cessna Citation CJ3+ light jet in flight at golden hour
Cessna Citation CJ3+ cabin with caramel leather club seating
Cessna Citation CJ3+ cabin with caramel leather club seating
Cessna Citation CJ3+ parked on FBO ramp at golden hour
Cessna Citation CJ3+ parked on FBO ramp at golden hour
Cessna Citation CJ3+ Garmin G3000 flight deck
Cessna Citation CJ3+ Garmin G3000 flight deck
Typical missions

Popular Cessna Citation CJ3+ routes

London → Athens 3 h 45 min
Paris → Marrakech 3 h 15 min
New York → Miami 2 h 55 min
Geneva → Ibiza 2 h 00 min
Los Angeles → Chicago 3 h 45 min
Dubai → Doha 55 min
Questions

Cessna Citation CJ3+ FAQ

How many passengers can the Citation CJ3+ seat?
Six in the standard centre-club layout with two foldout tables, seven with a side-facing seat added, or up to nine with the belted-lavatory option. Charter operators typically fly it with four to six passengers plus baggage.
What is the Citation CJ3+ hourly charter rate?
European operators typically quote 2,700 to 3,600 EUR per hour ex-tax. North-American rates run 2,750 to 3,600 USD per hour, with a few premium fleets pricing up to 4,800 USD for VIP tail numbers. Final price depends on repositioning, airport fees and season.
How much does a Citation CJ3+ cost new?
The list price for a factory-new CJ3+ Gen2 in 2026 is approximately 11 million USD. Late-model pre-owned CJ3+ aircraft trade between 6.2 and 10.4 million USD depending on year and engine-programme status.
What does it cost to own and operate a Citation CJ3+?
Fixed costs (crew, hangar, insurance, subscriptions) run about 480,000 to 640,000 USD per year. Variable costs are around 1,600 to 2,200 USD per hour including fuel, maintenance reserves and landing fees. At 400 hours annually, all-in operating cost lands near 1.1 to 1.5 million USD, meaningfully below the Phenom 300.
How many crew does the Citation CJ3+ need?
The aircraft is single-pilot certified under FAR Part 61, but charter operators fly with two pilots for redundancy and duty-time flexibility. No cabin attendant is required.
Where is the Citation CJ3+ built?
Textron Aviation manufactures the Citation CJ3+ (and its Gen2 successor) at the Cessna factory in Wichita, Kansas, USA.
What year did the Citation CJ3+ first fly?
The CJ3+ variant was announced in 2014 and entered service later the same year, replacing the original CJ3 that had been in production since 2004. The updated CJ3+ Gen2 was launched in 2024.
Is the Citation CJ3+ still in production?
The original CJ3+ was superseded by the CJ3+ Gen2 in 2024. Textron still manufactures the airframe and it remains one of the best-selling light jets in the world.
What engines does the Citation CJ3+ use?
Two Williams International FJ44-3A turbofans, each producing 2,820 lbf of thrust. They are FADEC-controlled, quiet, and known for a very low maintenance cost per hour, which is a big reason the CJ3+ has one of the cheapest operating profiles in the class.
How does the Citation CJ3+ compare to the Phenom 300?
The Phenom 300 has a wider cabin (1.55 m vs 1.47 m), climbs higher (45,000 ft cabin altitude is 6,600 ft on the Phenom versus 8,000 ft on the CJ3+) and cruises about 50 knots faster. The CJ3+ has slightly more range in typical LRC mode and costs 15 to 25 percent less to operate. Pick the Phenom on comfort and speed, the CJ3+ on price and availability.
Can the Citation CJ3+ use short runways?
Yes. Takeoff distance at MTOW is about 969 m and landing distance is 844 m. It operates comfortably out of London City (with weight restrictions), Aspen, Sion, Chambéry and most US regional airfields.
What is the baggage capacity?
About 1,840 litres or 65 cubic feet in a single external heated compartment, plus a small internal cabin locker. Payload with full fuel is limited to around 370 kg, so heavy skiing or golf trips need a fuel-versus-baggage discussion at booking.