Posted on June 9th, 2025
The Cessna CitationJet and CJ series (Model 525) are American-made light business jets engineered by the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. These aircraft are part of the renowned Citation family, one of the most successful and diverse business jet lines in the world. First introduced in the early 1990s, the Model 525 CitationJet laid the foundation for a new generation of efficient, high-performance private jets tailored for short to mid-range corporate and personal travel.
Today, the CitationJet family comprises several upgraded variants: the original CitationJet, the CitationJet 1 and CitationJet 1+, the CitationJet 2 and CitationJet 2+, the CitationJet 3, and the flagship CitationJet 4. Each model builds on the success of its predecessor, offering upgraded performance, avionics, and passenger amenities while maintaining operational efficiency and ease of use.
The Cessna Citation series has been a cornerstone of business aviation since 1972. With over 8,000 units delivered, Citation jets represent one of the largest active fleets of business aircraft in the world. Designed for reliability, speed, and convenience, these aircraft are widely used by corporate flight departments, private owners, and charter operators alike.
The CitationJet (CJ) models are especially popular for private charter thanks to their compact cabin designs, short-field capabilities, and fuel efficiency. These jets are ideal for business executives and leisure travelers seeking nonstop service on regional and short-haul routes across the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Known for their ease of operation and smooth performance, the Citation CJ series jets are equipped with advanced Garmin avionics, including touchscreen flight displays, synthetic vision, and terrain awareness features. Pilots benefit from intuitive navigation tools, while passengers enjoy a quiet, pressurized cabin with comfortable seating and productivity options.
Over the years, upgrades have included expanded baggage capacity, more powerful engines, aerodynamic refinements, and cabin reconfigurations that maximize headroom and shoulder space. The aircraft’s small footprint allows access to thousands of airports that larger jets cannot reach, making it a flexible option for travelers needing direct access to private terminals and remote destinations.
The Citation CJ series comprises several aircraft, all of which are FAA-certified for single-pilot operation. The CJ1 and CJ2 offer excellent value and agility for short-distance charters, while the CJ3 and CJ4 provide more cabin space, increased range, and improved avionics for more extended missions.
The CJ4, introduced in 2010, is the largest in the CJ family and seats up to 9 passengers. It’s known for fast climb performance, longer range (over 2,000 nautical miles), and high cruising speeds—making it an ideal solution for coast-to-coast or city-to-resort trips with no compromise on comfort.
The Citation III represents Cessna’s midsize evolution of the series, originally certified in 1982. It offers a cabin height of nearly 6 feet and a longer range than the Citation II, extending capabilities by approximately 600 miles._
Experience the speed, efficiency, and comfort of the Cessna CitationJet series with JetOptions. Whether you choose the CJ2, CJ3, CJ4, or a midsize Citation, we’ll match you with the ideal aircraft for your mission.
