The Citation VII is the Citation III brought up to standard, and out of Los Angeles it is the quiet value pick of this category. Same airframe, more thrust, 476 knots, and six to nine seats.
Cessna upgraded the Citation III with more powerful Garrett TFE731-4R engines and an improved flight deck to create the Citation VII. Six to nine seats, 476 knots and 2,220 nautical miles of range. It is the fastest aircraft in this category. Every Cessna Citation VII 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: 1992
- Seating: 6 to 9
- Crew: 2
- Range: 2,220 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 476 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 VII Fits Los Angeles
The extra thrust is most useful on the departures this region actually throws at an aircraft: a hot summer afternoon out of Van Nuys, or a fully fueled climb heading east over high terrain. Better hot-and-high performance is the practical difference from a Citation III rather than anything the passengers see.
At 476 knots it is quicker than every other midsize jet here, which on a Los Angeles to Chicago or Los Angeles to Atlanta run compounds into a meaningfully shorter day. Range is slightly shorter than the Citation III, so with a full cabin heading to the Northeast a stop may still be in the plan.
Cabin experience is the honest gap against a Hawker 900XP or a Citation XLS. The Citation VII is a fast aircraft with a 1990s interior, and clients who prioritize the cabin over the clock should see both before choosing.
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 VII run $4,200 to $5,500 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The Citation VII quotes a little above the Citation III and below the Hawkers, and on Los Angeles legs over three hours the speed usually recovers the difference.
Other Midsize Jets Available
- Cessna Citation Excel / XLS
- Cessna Citation III
- 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 VII 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.