Cessna · Light Jet
Citation CJ3+
The efficient workhorse of short-to-mid regional travel
- Passengers
- 7
- Hours nonstop*
- 4:30
- Baggage
- 65 ft³
*Approximate maximum endurance for comparison only. Actual performance depends on payload, winds, and day-of-flight conditions.
Why clients ask for the Citation CJ3+ by name
The Cessna Citation CJ3+ is one of the most popular light jets in the world, and for good reason. Single-pilot certified, fuel-efficient, and capable of operating from smaller regional airports that larger jets can't access, it's the go-to choice for savvy travelers who don't need transcontinental range and want to keep costs honest. The CJ3+ offers a comfortable club cabin for up to 7 passengers with the latest Garmin G3000 avionics and impressive short-field performance.
Photos show the Citation CJ3 family. Every charter interior is a little different. Before you book, we send photos of the exact aircraft and interior assigned to your trip, so there are no surprises at the FBO.
Typical charter rate
Est. from $7,400/hr
estimate per flight hour, before taxes and fees
Request a QuoteEstimates vary with routing, availability, and operator. Every quote is transparent and all-in, with no surprise fees.
Step inside the cabin
Explore the layout the way you would on a walkthrough: where you sit, where the coffee lives, and where the golf bags go.
Typical charter configuration: forward pair, club of four, and an aft seat, 6 passengers, up to 7 with the belted seat.
- Cabin height
- 4'9"
- Cabin width
- 4'11"
- Cabin length
- 15'7"
- Baggage
- 65 cu ft
The honest way to fly private
The CJ3+ is the aircraft we recommend when someone asks where private aviation actually pays for itself. It keeps the hourly rate grounded without giving up the jet.
- Often the lowest estimated hourly rate among the jets we arrange
- Single-pilot certified platform with a modern Garmin G3000 flight deck
- Efficient on fuel, honest on cost
- Club seating for 6, up to 7 with the belted seat
Cabin amenities
Standard on the Citation CJ3+ in typical charter configuration.
- Club seating for 6-7
- Garmin G3000 avionics
- LED cabin lighting
- Refreshment center
- Individual air vents
- In-flight entertainment
- USB charging ports
- Fold-out work tables
Where can it take you nonstop?
Pick your departure city and see the Citation CJ3+'s reach across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Flying from Colorado, most of the country is one leg away.
From Centennial (APA), the Citation CJ3+ reaches anywhere inside the ring without a fuel stop.
Ring shows a planning range of 1,241 nm: range with four passengers, less a reserve, flown into a 50 kt headwind. Payload, routing and the day's winds decide real-world reach. Your quote confirms nonstop capability for your exact trip.
Is this the right aircraft for your trip?
An honest fit check beats a hard sell. Here is where the Citation CJ3+ shines, and where we would steer you to a different aircraft instead.
Mission fit: the Citation CJ3+ at a glance
Suits a small group on regional trips from smaller airports, though the cabin is built for sitting rather than standing.
Best for
- Denver to the West Coast nonstop with four aboard, after reserves and headwind
- Teams of up to 7 in typical seating
- Shorter runways, with a published takeoff distance of about 3,200 ft
Think twice if
- Denver to the East Coast with four aboard: plan on a fuel stop
- Standing room matters: the cabin is about 4'9" tall
- A full cabin with skis or golf bags: baggage space is about 65 cu ft
Mountain airports
Strong. A regular choice into Aspen, Eagle and Telluride when the day's weight and weather allow.
Computed from specifications current as of 2026-09-28. Range lines start from the 1,660 nm four-passenger figure, hold back a reserve and fly into a 50 kt headwind. Winds, weight and the operator's own performance numbers decide any given day. Check your route in the Range Explorer.
Book it for
Short regional hops (under 4 hrs)
Optimal fuel burn and range for routes like Denver-Dallas, Boston-Charlotte, or Miami-Nashville at the lowest hourly cost in the market.
Small executive teams (2-4 pax)
Cabin is perfectly sized for a CEO + 2-3 colleagues traveling light. Quieter and more private than larger jets.
Smaller airport access
Can land at thousands of airports unavailable to midsize jets, getting you 30-40 min closer to your final destination.
Cost-conscious private travel
At an estimated $7,400/hr and up, it's often the most economical way to fly private on routes under 1,500 miles without sacrificing the private jet experience.
Skip it for
Groups of 5+ with luggage
Cabin is compact and baggage space limited to 65 cu ft. A group of 5 with golf bags or ski gear will be tight, a midsize is a better fit.
Transcontinental routes (NYC-LA, Miami-Seattle)
The ~1,660 nm range may require a fuel stop on longer routes, adding time. A midsize or super-midsize handles these non-stop.
International oceanic flights
Range and cabin amenities aren't suited for 6-8 hr international legs. Step up to a heavy jet for transatlantic or transpacific travel.
Stand-up cabin preference
At 4'9" cabin height, taller passengers (5'9"+) cannot stand upright. If that matters, choose a midsize or larger.
Popular Citation CJ3+ routes
Performance
- Max altitude
- 45,000 ft
- Cruise speed
- 416 kts
- Takeoff distance
- 3,180 ft
- Max range
- 1,660 nm
Small business owners, regional executives, and leisure travelers flying 2-4 people within the continental US. Perfect for the frequent flyer who's done with first-class but doesn't need a Gulfstream for every trip.
How it compares
Not sure the Citation CJ3+ is the one? These are the aircraft clients most often weigh it against.
Currently viewing
Cessna Citation CJ3+
Light Jet
Same class
Bombardier Learjet 75
Light Jet
Same class
Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen2
Light Jet
Need more range?
Cessna Citation XLS+
Midsize Jet
FAA Part 135 data
On US charter certificates
148
aircraft on FAA Part 135 charter certificates
72
certificate holders operate them
Counted: Citation CJ3, CJ3+ and CJ3 Gen2 (FAA model 525B)
Built 2004 to 2025
Being on a certificate means an aircraft may be flown for hire. It does not mean every one is offered to the public. For each trip we confirm the specific operator and aircraft, and review its safety audits, before you book.
- Embraer Phenom 300E333
- Citation CJ3+148
- Hawker 400XP133
- Cessna Citation Ultra76
- Citation CJ2+53
- Citation CJ4 Gen249
Source: FAA Part 135 Operators and Aircraft list, as published September 10, 2026.
Ready to charter the Citation CJ3+?
Tell us your trip and we will confirm the right aircraft, vet the operator, and send an all-in quote. We review each operator's third-party safety audits (ARGUS, Wyvern or IS-BAO) before recommending it, backed by Stratos Jets.