Bombardier Challenger 3500 vs Cessna Citation Cj4 vs Cessna Citation Latitude vs Cessna Citation Longitude vs Cessna Citation Sovereign
The Cessna Citation CJ4 is a light jet, typically seating about 6–9 passengers, with an NBAA range around 2,000–2,200 nautical miles, aimed at efficient short-to-mid missions. The Bombardier Challenger 3500 is a super-midsize jet, commonly configured for about 8–10 passengers, offering roughly 3,200–3,400 nautical miles of range for longer nonstop city pairs. The Citation Latitude sits in the midsize class, usually 8–9 passengers, with about 2,700 nautical miles of range, prioritizing cabin width and comfort on medium routes. The Citation Sovereign+ is also super-midsize, often 8–10 passengers, with approximately 3,000–3,200 nautical miles of range and strong high-speed cruise performance. The Citation Longitude is a larger super-midsize, typically 8–12 passengers, with about 3,500 nautical miles of range, positioned for longer legs and a more spacious, stand-up class cabin experience than the Latitude. Overall, CJ4 is the shortest-range/lightest, Latitude is the midsize step up, and Challenger 3500, Sovereign+, and Longitude compete in the super-midsize tier with the Longitude generally leading in range and cabin size.
| Spec | Bombardier Challenger 3500 | Cessna Citation CJ4 | Cessna Citation Latitude | Cessna Citation Longitude | Cessna Citation Sovereign+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.71 | $ 4.37 | $ 6.80 | $ 5.23 | $ 6.02 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation |
| Aircraft Name | Challenger 3500 | CJ4 | Latitude | Longitude | Sovereign + |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA Certified | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 3400 | 2170 | 2731 | 3500 | 3138 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.84 | $ 0.62 | $ 0.85 | $ 0.65 | $ 0.67 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 15950 | 6914 | 12394 | — | 12790 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 3,152 | $ 1,970 | $ 2,936 | $ 2,500 | $ 2,699 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G5000 | Garmin G5000 | Garmin G5000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 533 | 440 | 458 | 481 | 458 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $26,950,000 | $11,290,000 | $19,305,000 | $29,965,000 | $19,730,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 10 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.8 | 9 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23338 | 24005 | 26800 | 25400 | 25230 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 5,950 | — | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HTF73500 | FJ44-4A | PW306D1 | HTF7700L | PW306D |
| TBO (hrs) | On-Condition | 5000 | 6000 | On-Condition | 6000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 15 | ISA + 11 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 19 | ISA + 16 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 7323 | 3621 | 5907 | 7665 | 5907 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 757 | 1114 | 1478 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 870 | 1700 | — | 1700 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 68.7 | 53.4 | 62 | 73.2 | 63.5 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 69 | 50 | 72.3 | 68.9 | 72.4 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | 0.4 | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | 0.7 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.2 | 4.8 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 5.5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6 | 4.8 | 6 | 6 | 5.7 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 25.2 | 17.2 | 21.8 | 25.2 | 25.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 20 | 15.5 | 20.9 | 19.4 | 20.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 5.1 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.6 | 14.8 | 15.9 | 16.5 | 17.4 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 106 | 7 | 27 | 112 | 35 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 70 | 100 | — | 100 |