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Citation III Midsize Jet Specifications and Charter Rates

The Citation III is a midsize business jet meticulously engineered for speed and comfort, offering exceptional performance for travelers seeking a refined flying experience. With seating for up to eight passengers and a range of over 2,300 nautical miles, it delivers swift, seamless journeys between major business centers and leisure destinations alike.


Embodying Cessna’s commitment to innovation, the Citation III stands out with cutting-edge avionics, impressive climb capabilities, and a cabin designed for productivity and relaxation. This profile explores its full specifications, cabin amenities, real-world range, charter pricing, and the key questions discerning flyers ask before booking.

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Citation III Overview

The Citation III redefined the midsize jet category, blending speed, efficiency, and comfort in a balanced package. Designed for up to eight passengers in an executive layout, it offers ample room to work, meet, or unwind on journeys spanning three to four hours. Twin Garrett TFE731-3B-100S engines provide the thrust to ascend rapidly to a service ceiling of 51,000 feet, ensuring a smooth ride above most commercial traffic and weather disturbances.


A standout feature of the Citation III is its advanced avionics suite, including the Garrett AFCS autopilot and sophisticated flight control systems, making it a favorite for operators and pilots alike. Its fuel efficiency and superior performance provide flexibility and convenience for both short regional hops and longer cross-country missions.


With a robust history in corporate and charter fleets, the Citation III remains highly sought after for its reliability, cost-effectiveness, and the quality of the onboard experience, making it a premier choice for private jet travelers who value both speed and sophistication.

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Citation III Specifications

The figures below summarize the performance and dimensions that matter most when you are matching an aircraft to a trip. They reflect typical configurations; exact numbers vary with weight, weather, and how a given aircraft is equipped.

Aircraft class:

Midsize Jet

Passenger capacity:

Up to 8 (typical), 9 maximum

Crew:

2 pilots

Range:

Approximately 2345 nautical miles (around 2700 statute miles)

High-speed cruise:

409 knots (about 543 mph)

Long-range cruise:

Approximately 370 knots

Service ceiling:

51000 fee

Engines:

Two Garrett TFE731-3B-100S turbofans

Thrust:

Roughly 3700 lbf per engine

Takeoff distance:

About 4850 feet

Landing distance:

About 3180 feet

Average fuel burn:

Around 254 gallons per hour

Baggage capacity:

Approximately 51 cubic feet

First delivered:

Mid-1980s

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The figures below summarize the performance and dimensions that matter most when you are matching an aircraft to a trip. They reflect typical configurations; exact numbers vary with weight, weather, and how a given aircraft is equipped.

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Citation III Range and Performance

With a range of approximately 2,345 nautical miles, the Citation III is ideally suited for nonstop flights connecting major cities such as Chicago to Miami, Dallas to Los Angeles, or New York to Denver—all on a single tank with reserves. It delivers impressive flexibility for both business and leisure missions, covering the majority of North American city pairs in one hop. | Coast-to-coast travel is within reach in optimal conditions, with only the longest routes occasionally requiring a brief fuel stop depending on weather and passenger load, a routine consideration for midsize jets. The jet's high-speed cruise of 409 knots ensures quick travel times, while the 51,000-foot ceiling lets passengers enjoy a tranquil experience above most air traffic and turbulence. | Efficient takeoff and landing performance open access to a wide selection of airports, including those closer to your final destination, reducing total travel time compared to commercial itineraries. For busy executives and discerning families alike, the Citation III transforms every journey into a seamless, luxurious experience.

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Citation III Cabin Experience and Interior

The Citation III’s cabin was designed around the needs of business and leisure travelers seeking both comfort and functionality. With a stand-up cabin height of 5 feet 8 inches and a width of nearly 5 feet 9 inches, passengers can stretch out and move with ease throughout the flight. | The standard configuration features a double-club seating arrangement for eight, providing ample space for meetings, conversations, or relaxation. Large panoramic windows fill the cabin with natural light, while meticulously crafted interiors and plush leather seats enhance the atmosphere. | Amenities include fold-out work tables, in-flight power, and a private aft lavatory, ensuring productivity and privacy on longer journeys. The Citation III’s generous 51 cubic feet of baggage space accommodates golf bags, skis, and luggage for the entire group, making it a versatile choice for both corporate and recreational travel.

Citation III Charter Cost and Hourly Rates

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Chartering a Citation III typically runs in the range of $3500 to $4500 per flight hour, though the figure you are quoted depends on several factors. Rates move with the route, the season, repositioning (or ferry) time, airport fees, crew costs, and how a specific aircraft is equipped. Peak travel periods and one-way trips that leave an aircraft far from its base tend to sit at the higher end, while round trips and flights that align with an operator's existing schedule can come in lower.

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It also helps to understand how charter pricing is structured. Most quotes are built around occupied flight hours plus those repositioning costs, landing and handling fees, taxes, and crew expenses. Because Jettly is a charter marketplace rather than an aircraft operator, you can compare live quotes from multiple FAA Part 135 and book the option that fits your route and budget.

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Empty-leg flights, the discounted repositioning trips that operators are keen to fill, can also bring the cost of a Citation III down significantly when the timing works in your favor. For an exact, current price on your specific trip, request a quote, and you will see real availability rather than an estimate.

Who Should Charter the Citation III?

The Citation III fits a wide set of missions, which is part of why it stays busy. It is a strong match for:

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Small executive teams traveling together to a meeting, site visit, or conference

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Regional and many transcontinental business trips that need to be completed in a single day

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Families or groups of up to eight heading to a vacation or event

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Travelers carrying bulkier baggage, such as golf clubs or ski gear

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Anyone who values flexible airport access and a stand-up cabin over the lowest possible price

While the Citation III excels on domestic and regional routes, travelers requiring transoceanic or ultra-long-range capability may find larger jets more suitable. For groups of four to eight seeking premium comfort, high performance, and value on trips of a few hours, the Citation III stands as an exceptional option.

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How the Citation III Compares to Other Midsize Jet

The Citation III’s story began with Cessna’s vision to set a new benchmark in the midsize jet market, resulting in its introduction in the mid-1980s as a technologically advanced and highly capable aircraft. Its debut marked a leap forward, with state-of-the-art avionics, superior aerodynamics, and a pressurized cabin that raised industry standards for passenger comfort.


Innovative features such as the Garrett AFCS autopilot system with full Yaw Damper and Ground Proximity Warning System gave the Citation III an edge over competitors, earning it rapid adoption among corporate and charter operators worldwide.


Over the years, the Citation III evolved to meet the changing needs of executive travelers, inspiring the development of subsequent Citation models and maintaining its reputation for reliability, efficiency, and luxury in private aviation.


Today, this jet continues to be a sought-after charter aircraft, prized for its sophisticated blend of performance and comfort, supported by an extensive global maintenance network.

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Citation III History and Background

The Citation III’s story began with Cessna’s vision to set a new benchmark in the midsize jet market, resulting in its introduction in the mid-1980s as a technologically advanced and highly capable aircraft. Its debut marked a leap forward, with state-of-the-art avionics, superior aerodynamics, and a pressurized cabin that raised industry standards for passenger comfort.


Innovative features such as the Garrett AFCS autopilot system with full Yaw Damper and Ground Proximity Warning System gave the Citation III an edge over competitors, earning it rapid adoption among corporate and charter operators worldwide.


Over the years, the Citation III evolved to meet the changing needs of executive travelers, inspiring the development of subsequent Citation models and maintaining its reputation for reliability, efficiency, and luxury in private aviation.


Today, this jet continues to be a sought-after charter aircraft, prized for its sophisticated blend of performance and comfort, supported by an extensive global maintenance network.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Passengers Can the Citation III Carry?

The Citation III typically accommodates up to eight passengers in a spacious executive layout, with some configurations seating a ninth. The double-club arrangement offers flexibility for business meetings or family travel in absolute comfort.

What Is the Range of the Citation III?

The Citation III has a range of approximately 2345 nautical miles, or roughly 2700 statute miles. That is enough to fly most regional routes and many transcontinental trips nonstop, with the longest coast-to-coast legs occasionally needing a brief fuel stop depending on winds and load.

How Fast Does the Citation III Fly?

Its high-speed cruise is 409 knots (about 543 mph), with a long-range cruise near 370 knots. The aircraft's 51000-foot service ceiling lets it fly above most weather and traffic for a smoother, more direct trip.

How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Citation III?

Charter rates generally fall between roughly $3500 and $4500 per flight hour, depending on the route, season, repositioning, and fees. Because Jettly is a marketplace, you can compare live quotes from multiple Part 135 operators and book the best option for your trip; empty-leg flights can lower the cost further.

Does the Hawker Citation III Have a Stand-up Cabin?

Yes. The Citation III features a stand-up cabin height of approximately 5 feet 8 inches, allowing passengers to move freely during flight, along with a private lavatory and a generous baggage compartment of 51 cubic feet.

Is the Citation III Good for Transcontinental Flights?

For most U.S. coast-to-coast routes, the Citation III can complete the journey nonstop under favorable conditions. On the longest legs, a short technical stop may occasionally be needed, which is standard for midsize jets.

Jettly gives you access to a global marketplace of more than 23,000 aircraft, including Citation III jets operated by vetted FAA Part 135 Part 135 carriers. Compare live quotes, check real availability, and book with full concierge support, whether you are planning a single regional hop or a recurring travel schedule.

Enter your route and dates to get instant pricing on the Citation III, or speak with our team about empty-leg deals and membership options that can bring your cost per trip down even further.

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