Cessna Citation Cj3 vs Cessna Citation Cj4 vs Embraer Phenom 300e
The Cessna Citation CJ3+, Citation CJ4, and Embraer Phenom 300E all sit in the light business jet class, but they span slightly different missions. The CJ3+ is typically positioned as an entry-to-mid light jet, best suited to efficient regional trips, with a range of roughly 2,000 nautical miles and a typical seating layout of about six to seven passengers (up to eight in some configurations). The CJ4 is a step up within the light jet category, offering more cabin space and payload flexibility, and a longer range of about 2,100–2,200 nautical miles, commonly seating seven to eight passengers (often up to nine). The Phenom 300E is also a light jet, often viewed as the higher-performance option in this group, with a range around 2,000–2,010 nautical miles and a typical capacity of about six to eight passengers (sometimes up to nine depending on layout). In practice, the CJ3+ emphasizes efficiency and operating economics, the CJ4 leans toward added cabin and mission versatility, and the 300E targets speed and overall performance while remaining in the same general light-jet footprint.
| Spec | Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Cessna Citation CJ4 | Embraer Phenom 300E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.05 | $ 4.37 | $ 3.88 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Embraer |
| Aircraft Name | CJ3+ | CJ4 | Phenom 300E |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1898 | 2170 | 2,010 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.58 | $ 0.62 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5530 | 6914 | 6914 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,680 | $ 1,970 | $ 1,758 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Prodigy Touch (G3000) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 415 | 440 | 464 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $9,915,000 | $11,290,000 | $9,650,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | No | No | No |
| Total Seats | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.9 | 9 | 9.4 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23586 | 24005 | 25560 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | FJ44-3A | FJ44-4A | Canada PW535E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 11 | ISA + 11 | ISA + 15 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 2820 | 3621 | 3360 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | 624 | 757 | 757 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 703 | 870 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 51.2 | 53.4 | 51.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 53 | 50 | 52.16 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.7 | 17.2 | 17.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.2 | 15.5 | 16.75 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.6 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.2 | 14.8 | 14.8 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 65 | 70 | 74 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 7 | 10 |