Cessna Citation CJ3+
A single-pilot Cessna light jet for 6 or 7, with a belted lavatory seat and up to 2,040 nm of range.
- Passengers
- 6 (max 8)
- Range
- 2,040 nm
- Cruise
- 416 kts
- On charter in the US
- 154 aircraft
What is the Cessna Citation CJ3+?
The Cessna Citation CJ3 is a light jet that usually seats 6 or 7 passengers plus a belted lavatory seat, and flies up to 2,040 nm. Cessna delivered the first in December 2004, moved to the CJ3+ with a Garmin G3000 cockpit in 2014, and had delivered 600 by April 2021. It is certified to be flown by one pilot. The CJ3 Gen2 entered service in January 2026.
A cabin 15 ft 8 in long, 4 ft 10 in wide and 4 ft 9 in tall, with an enclosed lavatory at the back.
Up to 2,040 nm at up to 416 kts, and up to 45,000 ft.
Takes off in 3,180 ft and lands in 2,770 ft, on Cessna's figures.
600 CJ3-series jets delivered by April 2021, all certified for a single pilot.
154 fly with 74 operators on the FAA Part 135 list, the largest Citation CJ3+ charter fleet anywhere. Altivo Jets books them through these certified operators.
Cessna Citation CJ3+ specifications
Manufacturer and regulator figures for the Citation CJ3+, checked October 2026. Range assumes CJ3+ figures: maximum range as published by GlobalAir.com for the CJ3+ and by Cessna for the same CJ3 airframe; no payload or reserve conditions stated; real range depends on payload, winds and temperature.
| Specification | Citation CJ3+ Cessna (Textron Aviation) |
|---|---|
| Performance | |
| Range | 2,040 nm (3,778 km) |
| High-speed cruise | 416 kts |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.737 |
| Maximum altitude | 45,000 ft |
| Take-off distance | 3,180 ft |
| Landing distance | 2,770 ft |
| Cabin | |
| Typical charter seats | 6 |
| Maximum seats | 8 |
| Cabin length | 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m) |
| Cabin width | 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m) |
| Cabin height | 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) |
| Cabin volume | 286 cu ft |
| Baggage | 65 cu ft |
| Engines and weights | |
| Engines | 2 × Williams International FJ44-3A |
| Thrust per engine | 2,820 lbf |
| Maximum take-off weight | 13,870 lb |
| Fuel capacity | 4,710 lb |
| Price and ownership | |
| First delivered | 2004 |
| In production | Yes |
| New price | $8.6M (2023) |
| Pre-owned price | $5.0M to $5.2M |
| Operating cost per hour | $2,983 |
Gold marks the best figure in each row. Take-off distance: At maximum take-off weight, sea level. Cabin length: Manufacturers measure cabin length differently; volume is the fairer comparison. Operating cost per hour: As reported; some sources quote variable cost only, others include fixed costs. See the basis under each aircraft.
Sources:Aviation Safety Network: Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 occurrencesBusiness Jet Traveler: Cessna Citation CJ3Cessna: Citation CJ4 Gen3 specifications (Textron Aviation, Oct 2026)AIN: Nomad gets London City Airport approval for CJ2+ and CJ3+ (Feb 2019)Textron Aviation news release: Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen3 achieves first flight (Jul 2026)Luxaviation: Cessna Citation CJ3 F-GSCR fleet specification (Mar 2020)AIN: Textron Aviation delivers 600th CJ3-series jet (Apr 2021)Airport Technology: Citation CJ3 business jet (Jul 2006)CRAFT: Cessna Citation CJ3+ ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026)BEA: Final report BEA2017-0698, serious incident to Cessna 525B Citation CJ3 LX-WEB, Annecy Meythet, 8 December 2017 (Jul 2019)
Fuel burn and CO2
The Citation CJ3+ burns about 148 US gallons (448 kg) of jet fuel an hour, which puts out about 1.4 tonnes of CO2. Sustainable aviation fuel, where the departure airport has it, cuts the lifecycle figure.
| Flight | Fuel | CO2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 flight hour | 450 kg | 1.4 tonnes |
| 3 flight hours | 1,340 kg | 4.2 tonnes |
| 8 flight hours | 3,590 kg | 11.3 tonnes |
Average block figures; real burn depends on weight, altitude and winds. Fuel at 0.8 kg per litre.
Sources:CRAFT: Cessna Citation CJ3+ ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026)
Citation CJ3+ interior and cabin layout
Most Citation CJ3 cabins seat 6 or 7. The usual layout has a club of four and two more seats behind it, with a belted lavatory seat at the back that counts as the last passenger place. Many aircraft add a single side-facing seat next to the forward galley cabinet. Some swap that seat for a longer galley. Cessna quotes up to 9 seats. Every aircraft is fitted out by its owner, so we confirm the exact seat map and Wi-Fi with each quote. The layouts below come from listings of aircraft offered for sale.
Inside the Citation CJ3+
Cabin layouts
- Forward galley cabinet on the right
- One single side-facing seat
- Four-place club
- Two seats
- Aft lavatory behind, with a belted seat, the eighth passenger place
- Four club seats
- Extended galley ahead, fitted in place of the seventh, side-facing seat, with storage, an ice drawer, a trash bin and a work surface
- Two forward or rear-facing seats
- Fully enclosed lavatory behind, with a certified lavatory seat, the seventh passenger place
How big is the cabin?
4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) tall and 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m) wide: most adults stoop slightly in the aisle. The cabin runs 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m), 286 cu ft in all.
Drawn to scale from the height and width; the figure is 1.80 m tall.
Cabin size
15 ft 8 in (4.78 m) long, 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m) wide and 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) tall: 286 cu ft of cabin space.
Galley
A galley cabinet at the front of the cabin, on the right on the aircraft we checked, with storage, shelves and a small counter. Some aircraft have an extended galley in place of the side-facing seat, with an ice drawer, drinks storage, a trash bin and a work surface. It is a snack and drinks galley: Luxaviation lists no warm catering on its CJ3. The Gen2 offers a high-power outlet for a coffee machine.
Lavatories
One, at the back of the cabin, fully enclosed. On the aircraft we found, the seat is belted and certified for take-off and landing, so it counts as a passenger seat. The Gen2 adds a toilet serviced from outside, CoolView skylights and an optional sink and vanity with its own water supply.
Wi-Fi and connectivity
Varies by aircraft. N532LW lists Gogo Avance L3 air-to-ground Wi-Fi, and S/N 525B-0377 a Gogo air-to-ground system. Luxaviation's CJ3 F-GSCR has no Wi-Fi. The Gen2 adds USB-C power at every seat and wireless charging in the cabin. We confirm the system for your aircraft.
Baggage
65 cu ft and up to 1,000 lb in all, split between holds in the nose and the tailcone and a small compartment in the cabin. Only the cabin compartment can be reached in flight. Luxaviation says the luggage space on its CJ3 takes about 8 bags of 70 by 50 by 35 cm and cannot be reached in flight. On the Gen2, an optional side-facing seat folds down to give about 50 lb of extra baggage space.
Cabin updates
Certified to be flown by a single pilot. Garmin G3000 flight deck on the CJ3+ and later. The first CJ3s have Collins Pro Line 21 with three 8 by 10 in screens. Cabin pressurised to 8.9 psi. On the Gen2, Garmin autothrottles, seats on tracks with optional swivel, RGB accent lighting and 4.5 in more legroom for the pilots. On the Gen3, Garmin Emergency Autoland, in flight test since July 2026.
Sources:GlobalAir.com: 2006 Cessna Citation CJ3 S/N 525B-0118, N532LW, listing (Oct 2026)Controller: 2010 Cessna Citation CJ3 S/N 525B-0337, PR-VNA, listing (Oct 2026)Controller: 2012 Cessna Citation CJ3 S/N 525B-0377 listing (Oct 2026)
On board: what to expect
- ✕Stand-up cabin4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) of headroom
- ✓Enclosed passenger lavatoryAt the back of the cabin
- ✓Belted lavatory seatCounts as the last passenger seat
- ✓GalleyForward cabinet, extended galley on some aircraft
- ~Baggage reachable in flightMain holds in the nose and tailcone; small cabin compartment
- ~Wi-FiGogo air-to-ground on many US aircraft
- ~Side-facing seatSingle seat by the galley on many aircraft
- ~USB-C and wireless chargingStandard on the Gen2
- ~Lavatory skylightCoolView skylights on the Gen2
Fit-out varies by aircraft. We confirm every item for the aircraft on your quote.
Sources:Cessna: Citation CJ3 Gen3 specifications (Textron Aviation)Controller: 2010 Cessna Citation CJ3 S/N 525B-0337, PR-VNA, listing (Oct 2026)Controller: 2012 Cessna Citation CJ3 S/N 525B-0377 listing (Oct 2026)Airport Technology: Citation CJ3 business jet (Jul 2006)GlobalAir.com: 2006 Cessna Citation CJ3 S/N 525B-0118, N532LW, listing (Oct 2026)Textron Aviation news release: Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 achieves FAA type certification (Oct 2025)
How much does a Citation CJ3+ cost?
A new Citation CJ3+ listed at about $8.6 million in 2023. Owning one also means paying to fly and maintain it, which is why most people who fly a few times a year charter instead.
Buy new
GlobalAir.com 2023 list price for the Citation CJ3+.
Buy pre-owned
Asking prices of the two publicly priced pre-owned Citation CJ3 aircraft on GlobalAir in October 2026: a 2006 aircraft (S/N 525B-0107) at $4.95 million and a 2007 aircraft (S/N 525B-0193) at $5.2 million. The other CJ3 listings are price on request, and no CJ3+ was listed. October 2026.
Cost to operate
GlobalAir.com Operating Cost Report (7 October 2026): total hourly cost including fixed and variable costs, based on 250 flight hours a year. Fuel burn about 148 US gallons an hour.
Sources:GlobalAir.com: Citation CJ3+ specifications (Operating Cost Report, October 2026)GlobalAir.com: Cessna Citation CJ3 aircraft for sale listings (Oct 2026)
Citation CJ3+ charter cost per hour in the US (2026)
You pay for flight time, not the aircraft. Light jets like the Citation CJ3+ charter at about $5.5k to $9.8k per flight hour; the quote adds positioning, crew overnights, airport charges and taxes for your exact trip.
Light jets, per flight hour
What moves the price
- Positioning: one-way trips usually pay for the empty flight home.
- Crew overnights and waiting days on multi-day trips.
- Airport and handling fees, plus federal excise tax.
- Empty legs can cut the price sharply when one matches your dates.
Charter or own?
Owning a Citation CJ3+ costs about $492,000 a year before it flies (crew, hangar, insurance), plus about $3,000 for every flight hour. At the hours most owners fly, chartering costs less per hour, and you pay nothing when you do not fly.
| You fly | Owning (per hour) | Charter in the US (per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 hours a year | $12,900 per hour | $5.5k to $9.8k per hour |
| 100 hours a year | $8,000 per hour | $5.5k to $9.8k per hour |
| 200 hours a year | $5,500 per hour | $5.5k to $9.8k per hour |
| 300 hours a year | $4,700 per hour | $5.5k to $9.8k per hour |
CRAFT operating cost model (October 2026): crew, training, hangar, insurance, management and other fixed costs a year, plus fuel at 148 US gal an hour, maintenance, engine reserves, crew expenses and landing and handling fees per flight hour, for a US-based Citation CJ3+ flying 200 hours a year with fuel at $7.66 a US gal. Excludes buying the aircraft. Charter rates are before taxes, positioning and airport charges.
Sources:CRAFT: Cessna Citation CJ3+ ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026)
Citation CJ3+ range: routes it flies non-stop
With about 2,040 nm of range, the Citation CJ3+ crosses the US coast to coast and reaches Europe without a fuel stop. Popular US routes:
- Distance
- 1,502 nm
- Flight time
- 3h 38m
- Indicative one-way price
- $20k to $36k
- Distance
- 1,316 nm
- Flight time
- 3h 13m
- Indicative one-way price
- $18k to $32k
- Distance
- 949 nm
- Flight time
- 2h 25m
- Indicative one-way price
- $13k to $24k
- Distance
- 949 nm
- Flight time
- 2h 25m
- Indicative one-way price
- $13k to $24k
- Distance
- 902 nm
- Flight time
- 2h 18m
- Indicative one-way price
- $13k to $23k
- Distance
- 821 nm
- Flight time
- 2h 07m
- Indicative one-way price
- $12k to $21k
- Distance
- 812 nm
- Flight time
- 2h 06m
- Indicative one-way price
- $12k to $21k
- Distance
- 643 nm
- Flight time
- 1h 44m
- Indicative one-way price
- $10k to $17k
Flight time at long-range cruise plus taxi and climb. Price is flight time at the hourly rates above, before taxes, positioning and airport charges.
Where the Citation CJ3+ can land
A straight-wing light jet: Cessna gives its wing a sweep of 0 degrees.
Runway needed
About 3,180 ft to take off and 2,770 ft to land, on Cessna's figures, which do not state the conditions. Hot or high airports and wet runways need more.
Balanced field length
Business Jet Traveler gives a balanced field length of 3,440 ft.
London City
London City needs 5.5 degree steep approaches and special crew and aircraft approval. The Swiss operator Nomad Aviation was approved to fly its CJ3+ there in February 2019. We check the approval of each aircraft and crew before we book.
Sources:Cessna: Citation CJ3 Gen3 specifications (Textron Aviation, Oct 2026)Business Jet Traveler: Cessna Citation CJ3 (Nov 2016, updated Jun 2026)AIN: Nomad gets London City Airport approval for CJ2+ and CJ3+ (Feb 2019)
Tell us the route and dates. We check every Citation CJ3+ available in the US and reply with an all-in price, around the clock.
Who operates the Citation CJ3+ in the US?
Citation CJ3+ operators in the United States
And 14 more US operators.
Altivo Jets is a broker: we ask these operators for availability and price on your dates and book the aircraft with the licensed operator named on your quote.
Every Citation CJ3+ on charter in the US
154 on the charter list in the US. We ask the operator for the exact cabin, seats and photos of the aircraft on your quote.
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Alante Air Charter
- Base
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Alante Air Charter
- Base
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Alante Air Charter
- Base
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Alante Air Charter
- Base
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Alante Air Charter
- Base
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Alante Air Charter
- Base
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Alante Air Charter
- Base
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Alante Air Charter
- Base
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Alante Air Charter
- Base
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Alante Air Charter
- Base
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Pacific Coast Jet
- Base
- Hayward, California
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Pacific Coast Jet
- Base
- Hayward, California
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Pacific Coast Jet
- Base
- Hayward, California
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Pacific Coast Jet
- Base
- Hayward, California
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Base
- Year built
- Seats
CJ3, CJ3+, CJ3 Gen2 and CJ3 Gen3
Citation CJ3
Unveiled at NBAA in September 2002, first flown on 17 April 2003, FAA certified in October 2004 and first delivered in December 2004. Its cabin is 23 in longer than the CJ1 and CJ2. It has Williams FJ44-3A engines and a Collins Pro Line 21 cockpit.
Citation CJ3+
FAA certified and first delivered in 2014. Same cabin and engines, with a Garmin G3000 flight deck and M2-style seats with folding armrests. Textron delivered its 600th CJ3-series jet, a CJ3+, in April 2021. GlobalAir gives a 2023 list price of $8.56 million.
Citation CJ3 Gen2
Unveiled in October 2023 at $10.99 million, FAA certified in October 2025 after 445 flight test hours, and first delivered in January 2026. Adds Garmin autothrottles, 4.5 in more pilot legroom, GDL60 connectivity, tracked seats, USB-C at every seat, wireless charging, RGB lighting and lavatory skylights.
Citation CJ3 Gen3
First flew from Wichita in July 2026. Adds Garmin Emergency Autoland to the G3000 flight deck. Textron has not given a certification date.
Citation CJ3 vs CJ4
- Cabin: both are 58 in wide and 57 in tall. The CJ3 cabin is 15 ft 8 in long, the CJ4's 17 ft 4 in.
- Baggage: 65 cu ft and 1,000 lb in the CJ3, 77.1 cu ft and 1,040 lb in the CJ4.
- Range: 2,040 nm for the CJ3 against 2,165 nm for the CJ4, Cessna's maximum figures.
- Speed: the CJ4 is faster, at 451 ktas against 416 ktas.
- Runway and engines: the CJ3 takes off in 3,180 ft against 3,410 ft. It has FJ44-3A engines of 2,820 lb each, where the CJ4 has FJ44-4A engines of 3,621 lb.
Sources:Wikipedia: Cessna CitationJet/M2
How the official lists write it: CE-525-525B · CE-525B-525B · CE-525B.
Citation CJ3+ vs Phenom 300E, PC-24 and other light jets
The jets people weigh against the Citation CJ3+, side by side from the same verified data.
| Specification | Citation CJ3+ Cessna (Textron Aviation) | Phenom 300E Embraer | PC-24 Pilatus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | |||
| Range | 2,040 nm (3,778 km) (best) | 2,010 nm (3,723 km) | 2,000 nm (3,704 km) |
| High-speed cruise | 416 kts | 464 kts (best) | 440 kts |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.737 | Mach 0.8 (best) | Mach 0.74 |
| Maximum altitude | 45,000 ft | 45,000 ft | 45,000 ft |
| Take-off distance | 3,180 ft | 3,209 ft | 3,090 ft (best) |
| Landing distance | 2,770 ft | 2,212 ft (best) | 2,410 ft |
| Cabin | |||
| Typical charter seats | 6 | 6 | 6 to 8 (best) |
| Maximum seats | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Cabin length | 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m) | 17 ft 2 in (5.23 m) | 23 ft (7.01 m) (best) |
| Cabin width | 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m) | 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) (best) |
| Cabin height | 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) | 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) | 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) (best) |
| Cabin volume | 286 cu ft | Not published | 501 cu ft (best) |
| Baggage | 65 cu ft | 84 cu ft | 90 cu ft, reachable in flight (best) |
| Cabin altitude | Not published | 6,600 ft at 45,000 ft | 8,000 ft at 45,000 ft |
| Price and ownership | |||
| First delivered | 2004 | 2009 | 2018 |
| In production | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New price | $8.6M (2023) | $11.0M (2023) | $11.9M (2024) |
| Pre-owned price | $5.0M to $5.2M | $9.5M to $13.5M | $9.8M to $12.5M |
| Operating cost per hour | $2,983 | $4,237 | $3,631 |
| Charter fleet | |||
| On the US charter list | 154 aircraft | 349 aircraft (best) | 49 aircraft |
Gold marks the best figure in each row. Take-off distance: At maximum take-off weight, sea level. Cabin length: Manufacturers measure cabin length differently; volume is the fairer comparison. Operating cost per hour: As reported; some sources quote variable cost only, others include fixed costs. See the basis under each aircraft.
Citation CJ3+ vs Phenom 300E
The Phenom 300E has a wider cabin (5 ft 1 in (1.55 m)) and is faster at high-speed cruise.
Citation CJ3+ vs PC-24
The PC-24 has a bigger cabin (501 against 286 cu ft) and is faster at high-speed cruise.
Compare any two jets
Smaller or bigger than the Citation CJ3+
Citation CJ3+ safety record
Events from official investigations. We also check the record of the exact aircraft and operator before we book.
December 2017
A CJ3 (LX-WEB) landed on a snow-covered runway at Annecy, France, at night and could not stop. With about 45 kts left near the end, the captain steered it off the side of the runway. The 9 on board were not reported hurt and only the flaps were damaged. The BEA found the landing distance had been worked out wrongly, so the runway was too short for the conditions.
September 2022
A CJ3 (N528DV) landed with its gear up at Pasco, Washington, and was destroyed by the fire that followed. All 10 on board got out unhurt. The NTSB found the pilot did not make sure the gear was down, with an unstable approach and a set-up that stopped the gear warning sounding as factors.
March 2023
A CJ3 (N869AC) lost its left wing extension and winglet in a descent over the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot, alone on board, landed safely at Tampa and was not hurt. The NTSB could not find why the parts came off.
2004 to 2026
The Aviation Safety Network keeps the full list of Citation CJ3 accidents and incidents.
Sources:BEA: Final report BEA2017-0698, serious incident to Cessna 525B Citation CJ3 LX-WEB, Annecy Meythet, 8 December 2017 (Jul 2019)NTSB: Aviation investigation final report WPR22LA353, Cessna 525B N528DV, Pasco, Washington, 20 September 2022 (Sep 2024)NTSB: Aviation investigation final report ERA23FA174, Cessna 525B N869AC, Gulf of Mexico, 30 March 2023 (Jul 2024)Aviation Safety Network: Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 occurrences
Citation CJ3+ photos
Other light jets on charter in the US
Compare the Citation CJ3+ with others of its size
The Citation CJ3+ appears on this seat page, next to every other model on charter with the same number of seats.
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistHow much does a Cessna Citation CJ3 cost?+
GlobalAir gives a 2023 list price of $8.56 million for a new CJ3+, and the CJ3 Gen2 was launched at $10.99 million in 2023. In October 2026 a 2006 CJ3 was offered at $4.95 million and a 2007 at $5.2 million. Running a CJ3+ costs about $492,000 a year in fixed costs plus about $3,050 per flight hour, in CRAFT's figures.
How many passengers does a Citation CJ3 seat?+
Usually 6 or 7 in executive seats, plus a belted lavatory seat. The common layout is a club of four, two more seats behind it and a single side-facing seat by the galley. Cessna quotes up to 9 seats. We confirm the seat map of your aircraft with the quote.
How far can a Citation CJ3 fly?+
Cessna gives a maximum range of 2,040 nm. With every seat full and NBAA IFR reserves, Business Jet Traveler gives 1,374 nm, and Luxaviation quotes about 1,350 nm or 4 hours for its CJ3. We check each route against the aircraft's real payload.
How fast is the Citation CJ3?+
Its top cruise speed is 416 ktas and its limit is Mach 0.737. It can fly as high as 45,000 ft and climbs at up to 4,478 ft a minute.
Does the Citation CJ3 have a bathroom, and can you stand up?+
Yes, there is a fully enclosed lavatory at the back, and on most aircraft its seat is belted for take-off and landing. You cannot stand up: the cabin is 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) tall.
What is the difference between the CJ3, CJ3+, CJ3 Gen2 and Gen3?+
They share one airframe, cabin and engines. The CJ3 of 2004 has a Collins Pro Line 21 cockpit. The CJ3+ of 2014 moved to Garmin G3000 and new seats. The Gen2, delivered from January 2026, adds autothrottles, more pilot legroom, USB-C and wireless charging and lavatory skylights. The Gen3, in flight test since July 2026, adds Garmin Emergency Autoland.
Can one pilot fly the Citation CJ3?+
Yes. Cessna certifies the CJ3 for single-pilot operation. Business Jet Traveler lists two pilots, and charter operators may fly it with two. We confirm the crew with each quote.
Who operates the Cessna Citation CJ3+ in the US?+
74 FAA Part 135 operators fly 154 of them. The largest fleets: Exclusive Jets (26), Alante Air Charter (10), Pacific Coast Jet (7), Aero Air (5) and Latitude 33 Aviation (5).
How much does it cost to charter a Citation CJ3+?+
About $5.5k to $9.8k per flight hour, before federal excise tax, positioning and airport charges. A one-way trip is priced on flight hours plus the aircraft's return positioning, so ask for a quote on your dates.
Where these numbers come from
Specifications come from manufacturer factsheets and regulator type certificate data sheets first, then aviation press and market data. Fleet counts come from the FAA Part 135 operator list (9 November 2026). Figures were checked in October 2026. This profile was last reviewed on 26 October 2026.
- Aviation Safety Network: Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 occurrences
- Business Jet Traveler: Cessna Citation CJ3
- Cessna: Citation CJ4 Gen3 specifications (Textron Aviation, Oct 2026)
- AIN: Nomad gets London City Airport approval for CJ2+ and CJ3+ (Feb 2019)
- Textron Aviation news release: Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen3 achieves first flight (Jul 2026)
- Luxaviation: Cessna Citation CJ3 F-GSCR fleet specification (Mar 2020)
- AIN: Textron Aviation delivers 600th CJ3-series jet (Apr 2021)
- Airport Technology: Citation CJ3 business jet (Jul 2006)
- CRAFT: Cessna Citation CJ3+ ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026)
- BEA: Final report BEA2017-0698, serious incident to Cessna 525B Citation CJ3 LX-WEB, Annecy Meythet, 8 December 2017 (Jul 2019)
- Cessna: Citation CJ3 Gen3 specifications (Textron Aviation)
- EASA TCDS EASA.IM.A.078, Textron Aviation 525 series (Issue 19, May 2026)
- AIN: Textron Aviation unveils Citation CJ3 Gen2 (Oct 2023)
- AVweb: Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 enters service (Jan 2026)
- Wikipedia: Cessna CitationJet/M2
- NTSB: Aviation investigation final report WPR22LA353, Cessna 525B N528DV, Pasco, Washington, 20 September 2022 (Sep 2024)
- NTSB: Aviation investigation final report ERA23FA174, Cessna 525B N869AC, Gulf of Mexico, 30 March 2023 (Jul 2024)
- Airport Technology: Cessna CJ3+ business jet (May 2014)
- Textron Aviation news release: Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 achieves FAA type certification (Oct 2025)
- GlobalAir.com: 2006 Cessna Citation CJ3 S/N 525B-0118, N532LW, listing (Oct 2026)
- GlobalAir.com: Cessna Citation CJ3 aircraft for sale listings (Oct 2026)
- GlobalAir.com: Citation CJ3+ specifications (Operating Cost Report, October 2026)
- Controller: 2010 Cessna Citation CJ3 S/N 525B-0337, PR-VNA, listing (Oct 2026)
- Controller: 2012 Cessna Citation CJ3 S/N 525B-0377 listing (Oct 2026)
- Jet Advisors: Citation CJ3+ performance
Empty leg flights by city.
One-way flights on aircraft repositioning to their next trip, for less than a full charter.
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Fly the Citation CJ3+.
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