The Citation III was Cessna’s first genuinely fast Citation, and it still shows up on Los Angeles quote sheets as a value route into the midsize category. Six to nine seats, 472 knots and 2,348 nautical miles of range at a price the newer aircraft cannot match.
Cessna built the Citation III from 1983 with a swept supercritical wing, a T-tail and two Garrett TFE731-3B engines, breaking from the straight-wing Citations that came before it. Six to nine seats, 472 knots and 2,348 nautical miles. Every Cessna Citation III we arrange flies with an operator certificated under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Midsize Jet
- Manufacturer: Cessna
- Year introduced: 1983
- Seating: 6 to 9
- Crew: 2
- Range: 2,348 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 472 knots
- Service ceiling: 51,000 feet
- Length: 55.4 feet
- Wingspan: 53.5 feet
- Height: 16.8 feet
- Baggage volume: 60 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the Cessna Citation III Fits Los Angeles
Speed and range together are what make this an interesting Los Angeles aircraft. At 472 knots and 2,348 nautical miles it will reach Chicago, Dallas and the Gulf Coast nonstop with a working payload, and it does that faster than a Citation Excel while usually quoting for less.
The counterweight is age. These airframes date from the 1980s and 1990s, which is where our vetting does the most work. Every Citation III we present flies with an operator holding a current FAR Part 135 certificate, and we review the operator’s safety and incident history and confirm the crew are experienced and current on the type before it reaches a quote.
For an Inland Empire or Orange County departure it is worth knowing Ontario runs 24 hours with no curfew and has runway length to spare, which suits a fully fueled midsize jet leaving late for the east.
Gallery
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 III run $4,000 to $5,200 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The Citation III quotes below the newer midsize jets, and on a long Los Angeles leg the speed means fewer billed hours than a slower aircraft in the same band.
Other Midsize Jets Available
- Cessna Citation Excel / XLS
- Cessna Citation VII
- Embraer Legacy 450
- Falcon 20
- Gulfstream G100 / G150 / IAI Astra SPX
- Hawker 750
The full midsize jets category page lists every midsize jet we arrange for Los Angeles departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Cessna Citation III 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.