Light Jet Charter
Midsize comfort, light-jet economics.
Why Charter This Aircraft
A range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles.
A spacious cabin with a full lavatory.
Takeoff under 3,200 ft, landing under 2,800 ft.
High-speed Wi-Fi, entertainment, advanced avionics.
Development & Background
One of the best-value aircraft in charter, combining midsize-jet characteristics with light-jet operational costs, the Cessna Citation CJ3 (Model 525B) is one of the most popular private jets for charter. The CJ3 is designed for popular routes such as New York to Miami, Dallas to Aspen, or Los Angeles to Chicago. Built on the wide success of the Citation CJ2/CJ2+, the CJ3 gives travelers access to short-runway airports while adding cabin space at similarly cost-effective operating costs.
Following the success of the CJ1 and CJ2, Russ Meyer Jr. introduced the Citation CJ3 in the early 2000s, offering sizing similar to a midsize jet with light-jet operational costs. After FAA certification in 2004, the CJ3 became a global hit. Cessna added a more powerful Williams FJ44-3A engine, two extra feet of cabin length, a range of 2,040 nautical miles (300 miles more than the CJ2), and replaced the earlier Garmin avionics with an easy-to-use Rockwell/Collins Pro Line 21 suite.
"The CJ3 light jet combines excellent climb performance and fuel efficiency with passenger comfort. It's one of the easiest jets to operate on short runways."
"Our team flew on a Citation CJ3 charter for a multi-city business trip. The extra range compared to the CJ2+ saved time and cut repositioning fees."
Specifications
| Passenger Capacity | 6–7 passengers + 1–2 pilots |
| Range | ~2,040 nm (3,778 km) |
| Max Cruise Speed | 416 knots |
| Typical Cruise Speed | 410 KTAS |
| Takeoff Distance | ~3,180 ft (969 m) |
| Landing Distance | ~2,770 ft (844 m) |
| Max Operating Altitude | 45,000 ft |
| Cabin Dimensions (L×W×H) | 15.7 ft × 4.8 ft × 4.8 ft |
| Baggage Capacity | 65 cu ft (~1,000 lb) |
| MTOW | 13,870 lb (6,293 kg) |
Cabin & Interior Experience
The Citation CJ3+ offers a substantial step up in comfort compared to earlier Citation 525 models. Unlike the CJ1/CJ2, the CJ3 has club seating for 6 passengers, with additional seating for up to 7. Fold-out executive tables and laptop power ports are available, along with LED lighting and a fully pressurized, climate-controlled cabin. The CJ3 cabin adds roughly 24 inches of interior length over the CJ2/CJ2+, allowing more legroom and storage — its external and internal baggage compartments together provide about 90 cubic feet, enough for 6 to 7 large suitcases plus 3 to 4 golf bags or skis.
Capabilities & Performance
Cessna equipped the Citation CJ3 with two reliable Williams FJ44-3A turbofan engines, delivering fuel-efficient subsonic cruise at up to 416 knots, a service ceiling of 45,000 ft, a range of 2,040 nautical miles, and easy-to-use Rockwell/Collins-based avionics for pilot interface and navigation — all while remaining capable of operating from runways as short as 3,180 feet.
Charter Pricing
| New Aircraft Price | $10.4M – $11.0M |
| Used Aircraft Price (2025) | $5M – $7M |
| Annual Operating Cost | $950,000 – $1.1M/yr |
| Charter Rate | $6,000 – $7,000/hr |
Estimates only — actual pricing varies by operator availability, seasonality, and routing. Request a quote for an exact rate.
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