The Citation CJ3 is the light jet Los Angeles Private Jets recommends most often when the trip is longer than a hop but the group is still six to eight people. At 1,875 nautical miles it has the longest legs in the CJ family and it opens up routes the CJ1 and CJ2 cannot reach nonstop.
Cessna lengthened the fuselage again for the CJ3, fitted Williams FJ44-3A engines and a larger wing, and kept single-pilot certification. Six to eight seats, 417 knots, an enclosed lavatory and a genuinely useful external baggage compartment. Every Cessna Citation CJ3 we arrange flies with an operator certificated under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Light Jet
- Manufacturer: Cessna (Textron Aviation)
- Year introduced: 2004-2014
- Seating: 6 to 8
- Crew: 1 to 2
- Range: 1,875 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 417 knots
- Service ceiling: 45,000 feet
- Length: 51.2 feet
- Wingspan: 53.3 feet
- Height: 15.2 feet
- Baggage volume: 65 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the Cessna Citation CJ3 Fits Los Angeles
That extra range is what changes the map from Los Angeles. Chicago, Dallas and Denver come into reach nonstop with a light payload, and Los Cabos, Mexico is comfortable rather than marginal. Push toward the East Coast with a full cabin and it becomes a fuel-stop trip, which we would flag before you book it rather than after.
The baggage hold is the reason this aircraft wins ski season. Six passengers with skis and boots out of VanNuys to Aspen, CO is a real CJ3 trip where it is a difficult Beechjet trip. Mountain-field approvals still sit with the operator and the crew, and we confirm them for the specific date.
Van Nuys is the usual departure point and its 8,001-foot runway is not a constraint for this aircraft. The jet noise curfew for louder aircraft runs roughly 10pm to 7am, so an evening departure after an awards-season event is worth planning a week out rather than an hour out.
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Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Cessna Citation CJ3 run $3,800 to $5,000 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The CJ3 prices at the top of the light-jet band, and on any Los Angeles trip over about two and a half hours the extra hourly rate is usually cheaper than the fuel stop it avoids.
Other Light Jets Available
- Beechjet 400A
- Cessna Citation Bravo
- Cessna Citation CJ2
- Cessna Citation CJ4
- Cessna Citation Encore
- Cessna Citation II
The full light jets category page lists every light jet we arrange for Los Angeles departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Cessna Citation CJ3 charter in or out of Los Angeles, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.