Charter a Cessna Citation III

The Cessna Citation III marks a fundamental departure from the earlier Citation family. Where the Citation I and Citation II used straight-wing designs optimised for simplicity and short-field performance, the Citation III introduced a swept-wing airframe specifically engineered for speed - and the result is one of the fastest midsize jets available in the charter market. At 875 km/h cruise speed and a maximum certified altitude of 15,545 m (51,000 ft), the Citation III performs at a level previously associated only with large-cabin and ultra-long-range aircraft. Two Honeywell TFE731-3B-100S engines power it to 3,774 km (2,038 nm) range - sufficient for London to the Gulf with a fuel stop, Toronto to the Bahamas non-stop and a range of Western European missions non-stop from UK airports.

The 4.88 m cabin accommodates up to 9 passengers in luxurious seats with ample luggage space. A kitchenette fully stocked with hot and cold beverages, a fully enclosed toilet and an in-flight entertainment system complete the specification. The Citation III has an excellent safety record and is described consistently as economical for charter given its speed and altitude capability. For clients who want swept-wing jet speed - 875 km/h versus 713 km/h for the Citation II - with midsize cabin dimensions and amenities, it occupies a specific and useful position. Charter prices start from approximately £2,900 per flight hour. For the full fleet see our private jet price guide or browse our complete fleet.

Why charter the Citation III?

• 875 km/h - one of the fastest in the midsize category. Its swept-wing design delivers 875 km/h cruise speed - faster than the Challenger 300 (830 km/h), faster than the Citation XLS (796 km/h) and comparable to aircraft in the super-midsize category. On a 2.5-hour London to Rome sector, the Citation III arrives approximately 15 to 20 minutes earlier than a 796 km/h alternative. On a longer transatlantic sector with a stop, the cumulative advantage is greater;
• 15,545 m maximum altitude - the same ceiling as the G550 and G650. The Citation III's maximum certified altitude of 15,545 m (51,000 ft) places it above commercial airline traffic, virtually all weather systems and in the altitude band normally associated with ultra-long-range jets costing two to three times its charter rate. The physiological and routing benefits of 51,000 ft cruise are available at midsize rates;
• Swept-wing design - the departure from Citation tradition. The Citation III was a deliberate engineering decision by Cessna to move beyond the straight-wing Citation family into swept-wing high-speed performance. The swept wing delivers the cruise efficiency at high altitude that the TFE731 engines need to achieve 875 km/h. It represents a different aircraft philosophy from the Citation I and Citation II;
• Up to 9 passengers in luxurious seating. The 4.88 m cabin accommodates 9 passengers in seats described as luxurious - a configuration that puts the Citation III among the higher-capacity midsize jets at this charter rate. A kitchenette, fully enclosed toilet and in-flight entertainment are standard;
• Honeywell TFE731 engines - reliable and well-supported. The Honeywell TFE731-3B-100S engines are among the most widely deployed business jet powerplants in aviation. The depth of the global maintenance and parts network for this engine family means the Citation III benefits from exceptional technical support availability worldwide;
• Excellent safety record and economical charter rate. Its safety record is consistently cited as excellent by operators, and its charter rate at approximately £2,900 per hour is competitive for 875 km/h swept-wing performance. Few aircraft in this price range offer this cruise speed and altitude combination.

Charter cost - Citation III prices from UK airports

Hourly rates run from approximately £2,900 to £3,500 - above the Citation Excel and Citation Bravo, reflecting the swept-wing 875 km/h cruise speed and 15,545 m altitude capability. For clients where the Citation III's speed advantage over slower midsize alternatives saves 15 to 20 minutes per sector, the premium is quickly recovered on multi-leg itineraries.

Indicative one-way prices from UK airports:

• London to Geneva - from £6,400 (8 passengers, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes);
• London to Paris - from £5,200 (8 passengers, approximately 45 minutes);
• London to Rome - from £8,600 (8 passengers, approximately 2 hours 10 minutes);
• London to Madrid - from £8,400 (8 passengers, approximately 2 hours 5 minutes);
• London to Istanbul - from £11,600 (8 passengers, approximately 3 hours);
• Manchester to Nice - from £7,200 (8 passengers, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes);
• London to Dubai - from £30,000 (8 passengers, one fuel stop, approximately 8 hours total).

Empty Leg flights appear regularly on UK and European routes. See our Empty Legs page for current availability.

Ideal routes for the Citation III

It performs best when speed and altitude are the priorities, the group is 6 to 9 passengers and the mission is a European or medium-range sector where 875 km/h makes a measurable difference:

• UK to Southern Europe (2 to 3 hours). Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Athens, Lisbon and Istanbul are all within the 3,774 km range. At 875 km/h the Citation III covers these sectors 15 to 20 minutes faster than alternatives cruising at 796 to 830 km/h. For time-sensitive executive travel on Southern European routes, the speed advantage compounds across multi-leg itineraries;
• UK to Middle East (4 to 5 hours direct, one stop). Dubai, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Beirut are reachable from UK airports with one fuel stop. The 15,545 m cruise altitude provides smooth, efficient flight on these longer sectors above most weather;
• High-altitude smooth-ride requirement. At 15,545 m the Citation III cruises above virtually all commercial traffic and weather systems. For passengers who specifically need the smoothest possible ride on turbulent-season European routes, the altitude capability is a real operational advantage over midsize jets certified to lower ceilings;
• Speed-critical European travel. Board meetings, court appearances, medical appointments - any mission where 15 to 20 minutes early arrival has specific operational value. The Citation III's 875 km/h advantage over 796 km/h alternatives on a 2-hour sector amounts to roughly 17 minutes saved;
• Groups of 6 to 9 requiring midsize rates. For 6 to 9 passengers where the super-midsize rate (from £4,600/hr) is not justified by the mission and the client specifically wants 875 km/h swept-wing performance at midsize rates, the Citation III is the only option in the category.

Cabin and in-flight experience

This aircraft cabin measures 4.88 m long, 1.68 m wide and 1.74 m high. Nine passengers sit in luxurious seats with ample luggage space throughout. A kitchenette fully stocked with hot and cold beverages, a fully enclosed toilet and an in-flight entertainment system are standard features. The cabin height of 1.74 m provides comfortable headroom across the full cabin length.

The Honeywell TFE731-3B-100S engines deliver the swept-wing cruise efficiency that makes 875 km/h and 15,545 m altitude routine on European missions. Above commercial traffic and weather, the Citation III provides a smooth, quiet cruise environment that its straight-wing predecessors could not match at altitude. The excellent safety record across the fleet reflects the reliability of the TFE731 engine family and the robustness of the swept-wing airframe design.

• Seating. 9 passengers in luxurious seats;
• Kitchenette. Fully stocked with hot and cold beverages;
• Toilet. Fully enclosed;
• Entertainment. In-flight entertainment system standard;
• Luggage. Ample space throughout;
• Engines. Honeywell TFE731-3B-100S - worldwide support network;
• Safety. Excellent operational safety record across the fleet.

Technical specifications

Citation III vs similar aircraft

• Citation III vs Citation XLS. The XLS has a longer cabin (7.01 m vs 4.88 m), stand-up headroom and 9 passengers at comparable rates. It counters with higher cruise speed (875 km/h vs 796 km/h) and maximum altitude (15,545 m vs 13,716 m). For clients where speed and altitude ceiling matter most, the Citation III is preferable; for those who prioritise stand-up headroom and cabin length, the XLS is the stronger choice;
• Citation III vs Challenger 300. The Challenger 300 is a super-midsize jet with more range (3,100 nm vs 2,038 nm), a wider cabin (2.18 m vs 1.68 m) and higher charter rates (from £4,600/hr vs £2,900/hr). The Citation III counters with a higher cruise speed (875 km/h vs 830 km/h) and the same 15,545 m maximum altitude. For European missions within 2,038 nm where the Citation III's speed is adequate and the Challenger 300 rate premium is not justified, the speed advantage actually favours the Citation III;
• Citation III vs Phenom 300. The Phenom 300 has more cabin length (5.74 m vs 4.88 m) and comparable charter rates. It counters with a significantly higher cruise speed (875 km/h vs 834 km/h), more passengers (9 vs 7) and a higher maximum altitude (15,545 m vs 13,716 m). For groups of 8 to 9 who specifically want 875 km/h speed, the Citation III is the more capable aircraft in this comparison.

Frequently asked questions - Citation III charter

How much does it cost to charter a Cessna Citation III?
Charter rates run from approximately £2,900 to £3,500 per flight hour. London to Geneva costs from £6,400 for 8 passengers. London to Rome costs from £8,600. London to Istanbul costs from £11,600. All quotes from Private Jets UK are fully itemised with no hidden charges.

How fast is the Cessna Citation III?
At 875 km/h, one of the fastest aircraft in the midsize charter category - faster than the Challenger 300 (830 km/h), faster than the Citation XLS (796 km/h) and comparable to some super-midsize jets. On a 2-hour European sector the speed advantage over an 800 km/h alternative saves approximately 15 to 17 minutes.

What is the maximum altitude of the Citation III?
At 15,545 m (51,000 ft) - the same maximum certified altitude as the Gulfstream G550 and G650. This places it above commercial airline traffic and virtually all weather systems, and in the altitude band normally associated with ultra-long-range aircraft at significantly higher charter rates.

How many passengers can fly on a Cessna Citation III?
Up to 9 in the standard configuration. The optimal layout is 6 passengers with the kitchenette, fully enclosed toilet and in-flight entertainment system all accessible. For groups of 7 to 9, the Citation III provides midsize capacity at its charter rate.

What engines power the Citation III?
Two Honeywell TFE731-3B-100S-3B-100S turbofan engines. The TFE731 family is one of the most widely deployed business jet engine series in aviation, with a global parts and maintenance network that provides the Citation III with exceptional technical support availability worldwide.