Summary
- The Citation family from Cessna has jet models in different sizes and passenger capacities.
- The Latitude is the best-selling jet with a 2,700 nm range starting at $30 million.
- The Longitude is the largest and offers a transatlantic range, advanced engineering, and a $30 million price tag.
Cessna, a Textron Aviation company, has produced the Citation family of corporate aircraft for over 50 years. The company has delivered more than 8,000 jets in the Citation family since 1972, logging over 41 million flight hours. Simple Flying explores the largest members of the Citation family aircraft.
Cessna Citation XLS
Length: 52 ft 6 in (16 m)
Citation Model | Excel (XL)/XLS/XLS+ |
---|---|
Wingspan | 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m) |
Cabin | 68 in (1.7 m) |
Passengers | 9 |
MTOW | 20,200 lb (9,200 kg) |
Cruise speed | 441 kn (817 km/h) |
Range | 2,100 NM (3,900 km) |
At the bottom of our list is the Citation Excel (XL) with a fuselage length of 52 ft 6 in (16 m). The midsized business jet was revealed to the public in October 1994 and performed its first flight in February 1996. The aircraft features a 5 ft 8 inch (1.7 m) cabin width, allowing a spacious seating configuration of up to nine passengers.
Photo: BlueBarronPhoto | Shutterstock
Two Pratt & Whitney PW545 turbofan engines designed specifically for business jet applications, each producing 4,100 lbf (18 kN) of takeoff thrust. Since the original Excel model, Cessna has improved on the performance and range, with the XLS and XLS+ models. More than 1,000 examples are produced across all variants, and production remains active.

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Cessna Citation Ascend
Length: 52 ft 8 in (16.1 m)
Citation Model | Ascend |
---|---|
Wingspan | 55 ft 8 in (16.97 m) |
Cabin | 66 in (1.68 m) |
Passengers | 12 |
MTOW | 20,500 lb (9,300 kg) |
Cruise speed | 441 kn (817 km/h) |
Range | 1,900 NM (3,550 km) |
Although not in service yet, the Cessna Ascend made it to our list for being designed, having a fuselage length of 52 ft 8 in (16.1 m). While just slightly larger than the Excel, the new Ascend can seat up to 12 people. Introduced in 2022, the manufacturer plans for Citation Ascend’s entry into service in 2025.
Photo: Textron Aviation
Two Pratt & Whitney PW545D turbofan engines power the aircraft, each generating 4,113 lbf (18.6 kN) of takeoff thrust. According to Textron Aviation,
“The new Citation Ascend™ jet is efficiency and capability at altitude. More fuel-efficient engines allow you to travel smarter for both your business and our planet. Greater payload capabilities ensure seamless operations, so your business runs smoothly.”

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Cessna Citation CJ4
Length: 53 ft 4 in (16.3 m)
Citation Model | CJ4 |
---|---|
Wingspan | 50 ft 10 in (15.49 m) |
Cabin | 58 in (1.5 m) |
Passengers | 10 |
MTOW | 17,110 lb (7,760 kg) |
Cruise speed | 451 kn (835 km/h) |
Range | 2,170 NM (4,020 km) |
The Cessna Citation CJ4 is the stretched version of the CJ3+ which finds its roots in the CJ1. The aircraft has a fuselage length of 53 ft 4 in (16.3 m). This midsized jet was introduced during the NBAA convention in October 2006. The CJ4’s cabin is considerably narrower than the Excel and Ascend, but the area is somewhat compensated by the length.
Photo: Textron Aviation
The CJ4 cabin is approximately 21 inches longer than the CJ3+, enabling seating for up to 10 passengers (including one in the cockpit during single-pilot flights). Two Williams FJ44 turbofan engines power the aircraft, each producing approximately 3,600 lbf (16 kN) of takeoff thrust. Cessna has delivered more than 400 examples of the CJ4.

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Cessna Citation Latitude
Length: 62 ft 3 in (19 m)
Citation Model | Latitude |
---|---|
Wingspan | 72 ft 4 in (22.05 m) |
Cabin | 77 in (2.0 m) |
Passengers | 9 |
MTOW | 30,800 lb (14,000 kg) |
Cruise speed | 446 kn (826 km/h) |
Range | 2,850 NM (5,280 km) |
With a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of 30,800 lbs (14,000 kg), the Citation Latitude is considered a large jet in the business jet category. This super midsized jet was announced at the 2011 NBAA convention. Cessna began deliveries of the first jets in August 2014. The Citation Latitude features a flat floor equipped with a spacious cabin and comfortable seats.
Photo: Textron Aviation
The Latitude is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306D1 turbofans, each producing roughly 6,000 lbf (26 kN) of takeoff thrust. According to Textron Aviation,
“The Cessna® Citation Latitude® jet offers a wide, flat-floor with a 6-foot stand-up cabin at a midsize price. Coupled with a range to take you 2,700 nm, you can fly nonstop from Los Angeles to New York or Geneva to Dubai. There’s a reason it’s the best-selling midsize business jet for eight years.”
As of May, Cessna delivered over 400 examples of this best-selling jet.

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Cessna Citation Longitude
Length: 73 ft 2 in (22.3 m)
Citation Model | Longitude |
---|---|
Wingspan | 68 ft 11 in (21.01 m) |
Cabin | 77 in (1.96 m) |
Passengers | 12 |
MTOW | 39,500 lb (17,917 kg) |
Cruise speed | 476 kn (882 km/h) |
Range | 3,500 NM (6,482 km) |
The Citation Longitude is the largest business jet produced by Cessna. The manufacturer stretched the Latitude by a seat row, enabling seating for 12 passengers. The Citation Longitude performed its first flight in October 2016 and entered service exactly three years later in 2019. Two Honeywell HTF7700 engines power the Longitude, each producing 7,665 lbf (34.1 KN) of thrust.
Photo: Textron Aviation
According to Textron Aviation,
“The Cessna® Citation Longitude® aircraft was designed with your business and return on investment in mind: transatlantic range, advanced engineering and an unforgettable cabin experience all come together with the lowest direct operating costs of any super-midsize jet. Simply put: this aircraft delivers the reliability and efficiency you need to maximize the value of every mission.”
Cessna has produced more than 100 examples of the Citation Longitude. The equipped price of the jet is $30 million.

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What are your thoughts on the largest Cessna Citation models? Share your views in the comments section.