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Private jet charter · Midsize Jet

Cessna Citation III

The most productive way to arrive.
9
Guests
2,500nm
Range
460kt
Cruise
51,000ft
Ceiling
At a glance

The Cessna Citation III, in numbers

Midsize Jet
Class
9
Seats
2,500 nm
Range
460 kt
Cruise speed
5 ft 8 in
Cabin height
72 cu ft
Baggage
51,000 ft
Ceiling
1983
In service

The Citation III, introduced in 1983, was Cessna's first swept-wing business jet, offering transcontinental range and a stand-up cabin. It elevated the Citation name into the midsize and super-midsize arena.

In flight

What sets the Cessna Citation III apart

Reach
2,500 nautical miles without a fuel stop, enough for Paris to Riyadh
Pace
460 knots in the cruise, about Mach 0.80
Cabin
Up to 9 guests, 5 ft 8 in of cabin height
Ceiling
Cruises to 51,000 feet, above the weather and the airline traffic
Hold
72 cubic feet of baggage

Floor plan

Why charter it

The case for the Cessna Citation III.

Heritage on the ramp

The Cessna Citation III carries real pedigree, a Cessna design chosen by corporate flight departments and private owners across Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. That global fleet means mature support, strong residual values and crews who know the type inside out. On the ramp it reads as clearly as it does in the cabin.

Airports the airlines skip

As a super midsize jet the Cessna Citation III reaches thousands of smaller, more convenient airfields, landing far closer to where you are actually going than the big hubs and cutting the drive at the far end. Balanced field length and strong brakes let it use runways the airlines cannot sell a ticket into. On a point-to-point charter the type can turn a two-hour transfer into a fifteen-minute one.

What sets it apart

Worth knowing: The Citation III was Cessna's first swept-wing jet and set a time-to-climb record at its 1983 debut, launching the marque into the faster classes. It is the kind of heritage that quietly reassures a charter client.

Sensible economics

Economy is part of the Cessna Citation III appeal: it delivers its class of cabin and range without the thirst of larger jets, which is why it prices so competitively for super midsize jet charter. Sensible maintenance costs keep the hourly rate honest, and flexible dates unlock better still. Clients are often surprised how much aircraft the aircraft buys for the money.

Nonstop where it counts

Range is a quiet strength of the Cessna Citation III: close to 2500 nautical miles links city pairs such as Paris to Riyadh without touching down, the kind of reach that reshapes a schedule. It also opens up direct routings the airlines simply do not fly. That freedom, more than any single feature, is why clients return to the aircraft for the longer trips.

A wide, quiet cabin

The Cessna Citation III puts usable space first, seating up to 9 in a cabin quiet enough for conversation, with a galley, a private lavatory and room to spread out on a long super midsize jet charter flight. Cabin measuring 5 ft 6 in wide by 18 ft 8 in long, it is trimmed and insulated so engine noise fades into the background. Repeat clients tend to book this super midsize jet again precisely because the hours on board feel like time gained, not lost.

The honest view

The Cessna Citation III, weighed fairly, including the caveats:

Range with a natural ceiling

The Cessna Citation III is honest about distance: near 2500 nautical miles it is superb across its home region, but the longest intercontinental legs call for a bigger tank, and on those we will match you to a larger jet rather than sell you a fuel stop.

No single aircraft wins on every count, and the Cessna Citation III trades a little of one virtue for a lot of another; the trick is matching that trade to your actual route and party, which is exactly what we do.

As alternatives to the Cessna Citation III, it is worth weighing the Cessna Citation VI and the Cessna Citation VII, both able aircraft in the same bracket. Broadly the Cessna Citation VI is the quicker of the two, while the Cessna Citation III holds the lower operating cost per hour, so the right pick comes down to your exact route, party and budget, which our advisors are glad to lay out side by side.

The bottom line is that the Cessna Citation III is a superb choice for transcontinental charter, pairing a comfortable cabin with dependable performance for travellers who value their time. Fly with Andreea arranges the whole journey around you, with a firm all-in price and a reply within 30 minutes.

Where it flies

Popular routes on the Cessna Citation III

Technical specifications

0nm
Maximum range
0kts
Cruise speed
0ft
Max altitude
0
Guests
Performance
Maximum range2,500 nm
Cruise speed460 kts
Maximum cruise altitude51,000 ft
Endurance5h 24m
*Actual range is affected by routing, speed, weather and payload.
Cabin
Passengers9
Crew2
Cabin height5 ft 8 in
Cabin width5 ft 6 in
Cabin length18 ft 8 in
Baggage volume72 cu ft
Weights
Maximum takeoff weight22,000 lb
Maximum fuel weight9,760 lb
Maximum zero-fuel weight16,000 lb
Systems
Engines2x Honeywell TFE731-3B (3,650 lbf each)
AvionicsHoneywell SPZ-8000
Measurements
Overall wingspan53 ft 6 in
Overall length55 ft 6 in
Overall height16 ft 10 in
Good to know

Cessna Citation III, your questions answered

How much does it cost to charter the Cessna Citation III?+
Charter pricing for the Cessna Citation III typically runs from around EUR 4,000 to 6,000 per flight hour, with the final figure shaped by your routing, dates, aircraft positioning and ground time. As a midsize jet it sits in the corresponding bracket, and in our experience arranging Cessna Citation III charters a well-timed one-way or off-peak booking is often far more competitive than clients expect. Share your route and we return a firm, all-in price within 30 minutes.
What is the range of the Cessna Citation III, and which routes can it fly nonstop?+
The Cessna Citation III has a range of roughly 2,500 nautical miles (4,630 km), enough to fly Paris to Riyadh, nonstop without a fuel stop. In real operations we plan a little conservatively, since headwinds and a full cabin trim usable range, but on the sectors our clients fly most the Cessna Citation III reliably turns a two-stop itinerary into a single, seamless hop.
How many passengers can the Cessna Citation III carry?+
The Cessna Citation III seats up to 9 guests. For longer flights we usually suggest booking a seat or two below the maximum, which frees space to spread out, work and sleep, and we configure every cabin to the party, whether that is a family, a board or a couple who simply want the whole aircraft to themselves.
How fast is the Cessna Citation III, and how long do typical flights take?+
The Cessna Citation III cruises at about 460 knots (852 km/h), around Mach 0.80. In practice that is roughly 1h 28m over 1,000 km and about 5h 00m over 4,000 km. Speed is where this aircraft quietly earns its keep, routinely saving our clients an hour or more against slower types, time handed back at either end of the day.
What is the cabin of the Cessna Citation III like?+
Step aboard the Cessna Citation III and the first impression is space and quiet: roughly 5 ft 8 in of headroom, a cabin pressurised and insulated so conversation stays easy and engine noise fades into the background. We find guests consistently step off a Cessna Citation III flight noticeably fresher than they would from a comparable commercial trip.
How much luggage can the Cessna Citation III carry?+
The Cessna Citation III offers about 72 cubic feet of baggage volume, comfortably around 14 large suitcases plus soft bags, and in our experience it swallows skis, golf clubs and a pram without drama. We confirm the exact hold capacity for your specific aircraft and party at the time of booking.
Which airports can the Cessna Citation III use?+
As a midsize jet, the Cessna Citation III can reach a very wide spread of airports, including shorter, more convenient runways closer to your final destination than the large hubs. We check runway length, altitude and slot availability for every departure and arrival so the aircraft lands as near to where you are going as possible.
On which frequent routes is the Cessna Citation III chartered?+
The Cessna Citation III is chartered on a wide spread of city pairs. Popular capital-to-capital routes well within its 2,500 nm reach include Amsterdam to Geneva, Athens to Cairo, Doha to Zurich and Amsterdam to Jeddah. We fly it on hundreds of other sectors too, so tell us your route and we will confirm the aircraft and a firm all-in price.
How does the Cessna Citation III compare to other midsize jets?+
Against other midsize jets such as the Cessna Citation VI and the Cessna Citation VII, the Cessna Citation III stands out for its balance of range, cabin comfort and real-world reliability. There is rarely a single best jet, only the best jet for a given route and party, and our advisors are happy to lay the options side by side so you can choose on the facts.
Is the Cessna Citation III a good choice for medium-haul and transcontinental flights?+
Yes. The Cessna Citation III is in its element on medium-haul and transcontinental trips of up to around 2,500 nautical miles, pairing a comfortable cabin with quick, efficient sectors. For longer intercontinental journeys we would match you to a larger, longer-range aircraft.
What engines power the Cessna Citation III, and how reliable is it?+
The Cessna Citation III is powered by 2x Honeywell TFE731-3B (3,650 lbf each). It runs the Honeywell SPZ-8000 avionics suite. It is a mature, well-supported design, and reliability is exactly why we place clients on it, because the smoothest charter is the one that departs on time and arrives without a second thought.
Can I bring my pets on board the Cessna Citation III?+
Yes. Pets fly in the cabin beside you on the Cessna Citation III, never in a hold, and in our experience this is one of the main reasons families choose private in the first place. We brief you well ahead on microchip, vaccination and paperwork for your specific route so boarding is effortless.
At what altitude does the Cessna Citation III cruise, and why does that matter?+
The Cessna Citation III cruises as high as 51,000 feet. Flying above most weather and commercial traffic means a smoother, quieter ride and more direct routings, and a lower effective cabin altitude is a large part of why guests arrive feeling rested rather than drained.
Is there a more affordable way to charter the Cessna Citation III?+
Often, yes. Empty-leg and one-way pricing on the Cessna Citation III can be a fraction of a standard round trip when your dates are flexible, and off-peak departures help too. We watch live availability and flag genuine midsize jet opportunities the moment they appear.
Why charter the Cessna Citation III with Fly with Andreea?+
Because you deal with one advisor who knows the Cessna Citation III, replies within 30 minutes at any hour, and arranges the whole journey, catering, transfers, pets and special requests, around you. Every flight is placed with fully vetted, certified aircraft partners, and the price we quote is the price you pay.
30-minute quotes
A firm, all-in price back within half an hour, day or night.
Vetted partners
Every flight placed with fully certified aircraft operators.
One advisor, 24/7
Andreea handles the whole journey, reachable at any hour.
No obligation
Transparent pricing, no membership, no commitment to quote.
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