Charter a Cessna Citation VI

The Cessna Citation VI is a rare midsize business jet - one of only 39 produced between 1991 and May 1995, of which 36 remain in active service today. It belongs to the 650 series that began with the Citation III, and was developed as an economical version of that aircraft with a standardised avionics package and conventional cockpit interior. The Citation VI retains the Citation III airframe with refined flaps and spoilers, a high-capacity wing and landing gear capable of operations from unpaved surfaces - a specification that opens access to unimproved airstrips unavailable to most competing midsize jets. The result is a high-performance midsize aircraft with unusual operational flexibility and genuine rarity in the charter market.

At 874 km/h cruise speed and 4,345 km (2,346 nm) range, the Citation VI covers London to Dubai non-stop and extends to Central Asia and East Africa from UK airports. The 5.61 m cabin seats up to 10 passengers with a Honeywell SPZ-8000 digital flight control system, a fully enclosed toilet and a standing-height interior. Charter prices start from approximately £2,800 per flight hour. For the full fleet see our private jet price guide or browse our complete fleet.

Why charter the Citation VI?

• One of only 39 built - genuine rarity in the charter market. Production ended after only 39 aircraft were produced, 36 of which remain in service. For clients who specifically want access to an aircraft outside the standard charter fleet, the Citation VI is one of the few midsize jets where genuine rarity creates both an aviation interest and a practical differentiation from the standard Challenger 300 / Legacy 500 options that most operators list;
• High-capacity wing and landing gear for unpaved surface operations. The Citation VI was upgraded with a high-capacity wing and landing gear specifically rated for operations from unpaved areas. This is a significant operational advantage for missions to remote destinations, private estates, safari operations and locations not served by tarmac runways. Few midsize jets offer this capability;
• 874 km/h cruise - very fast for an economical midsize platform. At 874 km/h the Citation VI is faster than the Legacy 500 (834 km/h), Citation Sovereign (848 km/h) and substantially faster than the Challenger 300 (870 km/h) - all at comparable or lower charter rates. The Honeywell TFE731-3B-100S engines deliver this speed with the fuel efficiency that was the stated design goal of the Citation VI programme;
• 4,345 km range - the longest in the Citation 650 family. At 4,345 km it has slightly more range than the Citation VII (4,110 km) and substantially more than the Citation III. London to Dubai non-stop, London to Riyadh non-stop and London to Nairobi with one short stop are all achievable from UK airports;
• Honeywell SPZ-8000 digital flight control system. Despite the Citation VI being designed as an "economical" variant of the Citation III, the Honeywell SPZ-8000 digital flight control system provides a capable and well-understood avionics baseline. The standardised package reduces complexity without compromising fundamental operating safety or capability;
• 15,545 m ceiling - same as Citation X and Gulfstream G550. The Citation VI maximum altitude of 15,545 m (51,000 ft) matches the Citation VII, Citation X and Gulfstream G550 - well above commercial airline traffic and virtually all weather systems on the sectors this aircraft regularly operates.

Charter cost - Citation VI prices from UK airports

Hourly rates run from approximately £2,800 to £3,400 - in the midsize category, comparable to the Citation VII and below the Citation Sovereign and Citation X. For groups of 6 to 9 passengers on Gulf and Near East missions, the Citation VI's 874 km/h speed and 4,345 km range at these rates represent competitive value.

Indicative one-way prices from UK airports:

• London to Dubai - from £24,000 (8 passengers, non-stop, approximately 6 hours 10 minutes);
• London to Geneva - from £6,800 (8 passengers, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes);
• London to New York - from £40,000 (8 passengers, one fuel stop, approximately 8 hours 30 minutes total);
• London to Riyadh - from £22,000 (8 passengers, non-stop, approximately 5 hours 45 minutes);
• London to Athens - from £15,000 (8 passengers, approximately 3 hours 15 minutes);
• Edinburgh to Istanbul - from £16,000 (8 passengers, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes);
• London to Nairobi - from £34,000 (8 passengers, one fuel stop, approximately 9 hours 30 minutes total).

Empty Leg flights appear on repositioning routes. See our Empty Legs page for current availability.

Ideal routes for the Citation VI

It is most valuable on missions where the combination of 874 km/h speed, 4,345 km range, unpaved surface capability and rarity as an aviation choice are all relevant:

• UK to Gulf non-stop (5.5 to 6.5 hours). Dubai, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha are within non-stop range from UK airports. At 874 km/h the Citation VI covers Gulf sectors approximately 30 to 40 minutes faster than a 796 km/h midsize competitor. For 6 to 9 passengers on Gulf corporate missions, the speed and range combination is well-matched;
• Unpaved and remote airstrip access. The Citation VI's high-capacity wing and landing gear for unpaved surfaces make it appropriate for safari destinations, private estates, remote mining sites and island destinations served only by unimproved strips. This operational capability is rare among midsize jets and specifically differentiates the Citation VI from all competing aircraft at comparable charter rates;
• UK to Mediterranean and Near East (2 to 4 hours). Athens, Istanbul, Cairo, Beirut and Tunis are all comfortably within range. The 874 km/h cruise covers these sectors efficiently and the 15,545 m ceiling keeps the Citation VI above weather on longer sector routing;
• East Africa (one stop from UK). Nairobi and Dar es Salaam are within range with one fuel stop. The unpaved surface landing capability is directly relevant for East African safari and conservation destinations that are often served by unimproved strips in addition to the main international airport;
• Clients who want an aircraft outside the standard charter fleet. For aviation enthusiasts, collectors and clients who travel frequently and specifically want something different from the Challenger 300 / Legacy 500 default, the Citation VI's 36-aircraft worldwide fleet makes it a genuinely unusual charter option that Private Jets UK can source.

Cabin and in-flight experience

This aircraft cabin measures 5.61 m long, 1.68 m wide and 1.74 m high - a standing-height interior throughout. Up to 10 passengers fit in the standard configuration; the optimal charter group is 8. The Honeywell SPZ-8000 digital flight control system provides the avionics baseline. A fully enclosed toilet is fitted. A baggage compartment handles luggage for the full passenger complement.

The Honeywell TFE731-3B-100S engines deliver 874 km/h cruise in a cabin that reflects the Citation VI's design brief: standardised, reliable and efficient. The 15,545 m maximum altitude means passengers cruise in the same airspace band as the Citation X and Gulfstream G550 family, above commercial airline traffic. The high-capacity wing and landing gear are specific engineering decisions that open unpaved surface operations without compromising the performance envelope.

• Cabin. 5.61 m, standing height (1.74 m) throughout;
• Capacity. 10 maximum; 8 optimal;
• Engines. 2 x Honeywell TFE731-3B-100S;
• Avionics. Honeywell SPZ-8000 digital flight control system;
• Toilet. Fully enclosed;
• Baggage. Dedicated compartment;
• Surface capability. High-capacity wing and gear for unpaved surfaces;
• Altitude. 15,545 m (51,000 ft) maximum - same as Citation X and G550.

Technical specifications

Citation VI vs similar aircraft

• Citation VI vs Citation VII. The VII has slightly lower cruise speed (881 km/h vs 874 km/h - very similar), less range (4,110 km vs 4,345 km), wood trim and soft lighting in the cabin, and a restroom specifically designed for dressing-room use. Charter rates are broadly comparable. The Citation VII's cabin refinement - wood trim, leather, improved soundproofing - is a significant advantage for pure passenger comfort. The Citation VI counters with more range and the unique unpaved surface capability;
• Citation VI vs Challenger 300. The Challenger 300 has more cabin width (2.18 m vs 1.68 m), more range (3,100 nm vs 2,346 nm) and higher charter rates (from £4,600/hr vs £2,800/hr). For missions within Citation VI range where the wider Challenger cabin is not a requirement, it provides comparable speed at a substantially lower charter rate. For missions requiring the Challenger 300's full range or cabin width, that aircraft is preferable;
• Citation VI vs Citation III. The VI is the economical variant of the Citation III - same airframe, refined flaps and spoilers, standardised Honeywell SPZ-8000 avionics instead of the Citation III's more complex suite. The Citation VI has more range (2,346 nm vs approximately 2,000 nm for the Citation III) and the unpaved surface upgrade. Both are rare; this is the more capable and longer-range of the two.

Frequently asked questions - Citation VI charter

How much does it cost to charter a Cessna Citation VI?
Charter rates run from approximately £2,800 to £3,400 per flight hour. London to Dubai non-stop costs from £24,000 for 8 passengers. London to Geneva costs from £6,800. London to New York (one stop) costs from £40,000. All quotes from Private Jets UK are fully itemised with no hidden charges.

How many Citation VI aircraft were built?
Only 39 - one of the rarest midsize business jets in active charter service. Production ran from 1991 to May 1995 when the model was discontinued. Of the 39 built, 36 remain in service today - an exceptional retention rate for a discontinued type, reflecting the aircraft's reliability and the difficulty of finding a direct replacement.

Can the Citation VI operate from unpaved airstrips?
Yes - its high-capacity wing and landing gear were specifically upgraded to allow operations from unpaved surfaces. This capability is rare among midsize jets and is directly relevant for safari destinations, private estates, remote mining sites and East African conservation areas where tarmac runways may not be available.

How does the Citation VI compare to the Citation VII?
Compared to the VII, it has slightly more range (4,345 km vs 4,110 km) and unpaved surface capability. The Citation VII has a more refined cabin - wood trim, improved soundproofing, leather seating, a dressing-room restroom. Charter rates are broadly comparable. For clients who prioritise range and unpaved access, the Citation VI is the better choice. For those who prioritise cabin quality, the Citation VII is preferable.

How many passengers can fly on a Citation VI?
Maximum 10. The optimal configuration is 8 passengers. The 5.61 m standing-height cabin accommodates up to 10 in a standard layout with a fully enclosed toilet and baggage compartment.