CitationJet CJ3
The Cessna CitationJet CJ3 is a light jet seating seven passengers in a 15.7-foot cabin, 4.8 feet wide and 4.8 feet tall, with a belted lavatory and Wi-Fi. Range is 1,875 nautical miles at 416 knots with a 45,000-foot service ceiling. Against the light jet category average, the CJ3 carries one more seat (7 vs 6 avg) and more range (1,875 vs 1,733nm avg), at slightly below-average speed (416 vs 432 ktas avg). Two Williams International FJ44-3A engines, each producing 2,490 pounds of thrust, power the aircraft.
The 47 US Part 135 aircraft across 32 operators generate 107 active empty legs, the highest count of any aircraft type in this database. Route patterns concentrate heavily on the western US: Salt Lake City to Phoenix, Las Vegas to Oakland, Redding to Oakland, San Francisco to Vancouver, and Reno to Oakland appear repeatedly in the listings. Pacific Coast Jet and Alante Air Charter each operate five aircraft; the remaining 37 aircraft spread across 30 operators with one to two each. That distribution across California, Nevada, Utah, and the Pacific Northwest explains the empty leg density.
Charter rates run approximately $2,800 to $3,500 per hour. Used CJ3 and CJ3+ aircraft trade from $2 million to $5 million depending on model year and configuration.
Specs at a glance
Interior & cabin
| Passengers | 7 |
| Cabin length | 15.7 ft |
| Cabin width | 4.8 ft |
| Cabin height | 4.8 ft |
| Baggage volume | 64 cu ft |
| Lavatory | Belted, curtained |
| Galley | No |
| Wi-Fi | Available on most aircraft |
| Cabin floor | Drop aisle |
At 4.8 ft of cabin height, the CitationJet CJ3 is a sit-down jet. Expect to duck moving between seats. The lavatory is belted with a curtain — not a full door. Connectivity varies by tail — most operators in this fleet have at least one Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft, but confirm before booking if you need to work in the air.
Operator floor plans vary. Some CitationJet CJ3 cabins are configured with a divan that drops the headcount by one or two seats; confirm the layout with the operator before booking.
Range & performance
| Range | 1,875 nm |
| Max cruise | 416 ktas |
| Typical cruise | ~354 ktas |
| Service ceiling | 45,000 ft |
1,875 nm covers most US domestic missions. Coast-to-coast with one stop, transcontinental city pairs east of the Rockies non-stop.
Distances are real great-circle nautical miles from the selected hub. Angular positions are spaced for readability, not actual bearings. Range envelope assumes no wind and a full passenger load.
Charter cost per hour
Charter the CitationJet CJ3 at roughly $3,000–$5,000 per flight hour, depending on how far ahead you book. Light jets like this carry 6–8 passengers; the per-seat math improves sharply as you fill the cabin.
Rates are flight-hour pricing. Total cost depends on round-trip vs. one-way, positioning, fuel surcharges, and taxes (~15% on top of base). Run the math on your trip →
History
Cessna developed the CJ3 as the third-generation step in the CitationJet family, offering a longer, seven-seat cabin over the six-seat CJ2 while retaining single-pilot certification. The prototype flew on April 27, 2003, and the FAA issued type certification in December 2004. Deliveries began in 2004. Williams International FJ44-3A engines produce 2,490 lbs of thrust each, giving the CJ3 better climb performance than the CJ2 despite its larger cabin.
Cessna introduced the CJ3+ in 2014 with Williams FJ44-3AP+ engines and improved avionics, adding range and hot-and-high performance while sharing the CJ3 type certificate. Combined CJ3 and CJ3+ production totaled approximately 250 aircraft through the mid-2020s, with deliveries continuing under Textron Aviation.
Ideal For
- Four to six passengers on western US routes where the CJ3's operator concentration produces frequent empty leg availability: Salt Lake City to Phoenix (500nm), San Francisco to Vancouver (800nm), Las Vegas to Los Angeles (220nm)
- Charter customers who want a seven-seat light jet at rates below the midsize category: the CJ3 offers one more seat than most light jets at $2,800–$3,500 per hour versus $3,500–$4,500 for midsize options
- Operators who need single-pilot certification for owner-flown missions combined with enough capacity for a business travel group of four to five
- Flights to airports with restrictions that favor lighter jets; the CJ3 at 13,870 lbs max takeoff weight opens more destination options than heavier midsize aircraft
- California intra-state travel where the 47-aircraft fleet and 107 active empty legs create the best spot pricing of any jet type in the western US
CitationJet CJ3 vs Light Average
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the CitationJet CJ3 have so many empty legs?
The fleet concentrates in California, Nevada, and Utah, where short one-way leisure and business charters are common. A charter from San Francisco to Palm Springs leaves the aircraft to reposition north empty. With 32 operators running aircraft on diverse itineraries, repositioning legs accumulate quickly. The CJ3's 107 active empty legs rank it first in the database for availability.
How much does it cost to charter a CitationJet CJ3?
Charter rates run approximately $2,800 to $3,500 per hour. A one-hour Los Angeles to Las Vegas flight typically totals $3,500 to $5,500 before taxes and positioning. Empty legs on western US routes regularly list at $2,400 to $4,500 per flight, among the most competitive jet pricing available.
What is the difference between the CJ3 and CJ3+?
The CJ3+, introduced in 2014, updated to Williams FJ44-3AP+ engines with higher thrust and improved efficiency, extending range and improving hot-and-high performance. Both share the same type certificate and airframe. For charter passengers, the difference is most noticeable in avionics; the CJ3+ carries a more current Garmin G3000 flight deck.
How does the CJ3 compare to the Phenom 300?
The Phenom 300 is faster (453 vs 416 ktas), carries one more seat (8 vs 7), and has a taller cabin (4.9ft vs 4.8ft). The CJ3 is single-pilot certified and generally cheaper to charter ($2,800–$3,500 vs $3,500–$4,500 per hour for the Phenom 300). Both are light jets suited to routes under 1,800nm. The Phenom 300 is the better choice for speed-sensitive itineraries; the CJ3 offers the lowest per-seat cost among seven-seat jets.
Is the CJ3 single-pilot certified?
Yes. The CitationJet CJ3 and CJ3+ are FAA-certified for single-pilot operation, a characteristic inherited from the original CitationJet. Most Part 135 charter operations use two pilots as a company policy, but the type certificate permits single-pilot IFR flight. This certification is why the CJ3 attracts owner-operators who want a larger CitationJet without requiring a second pilot.
Available Empty Legs on CitationJet CJ3s
CitationJet CJ3s for Charter (47)
Where CitationJet CJ3s actually fly
ADS-B-tracked flights from the trailing 90 days. Numbers cover aircraft on our charter database; private corporate fleets and operators using PIA registration are not in this count. Methodology →
Top routes
Busiest origins
| Oakland (KOAK) | 84 |
| Indianapolis (KIND) | 75 |
| Carlsbad (KCRQ) | 58 |
| Danbury (KDXR) | 56 |
| Dallas (KDAL) | 55 |
| Jacksonville (KJAX) | 51 |
| Raleigh/Durham (KRDU) | 51 |
| New Orleans (KNEW) | 46 |
| Naples (KAPF) | 43 |
| Denver (KAPA) | 42 |
Most active operators
| Operator | Aircraft | Flights |
|---|---|---|
| ALANTE AIR CHARTER, LLC | 5 | 583 |
| PCJ Aviation LLC | 5 | 286 |
| Reliant Air Charter, Inc. | 2 | 208 |
| LATITUDE 33 AVIATION, LLC | 2 | 199 |
| Jet Logistics, Inc. | 2 | 198 |
| Malone AirCharter, Inc. | 1 | 150 |
| FLIGHTLINE FIRST, LLC | 1 | 139 |
| FliteAccess, LLC. | 1 | 139 |
| CD PILOT AND AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT SD, LLC | 2 | 104 |
| Aviation Advisor, Inc. | 2 | 96 |
Comparable aircraft
Same category, similar mission profile. The framing below summarizes how each one differs from the CitationJet CJ3 on the dimensions that matter most.