Cessna Citation Cj3 vs Cessna Citation M2 vs Embraer Phenom 300e vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
The Cessna Citation M2 is a very light jet aimed at short-to-mid regional trips, typically carrying about 4–6 passengers in normal layouts, with a range around 1,300–1,550 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves. The Cessna Citation CJ3+ steps up into the light-jet category with more cabin room and useful load, commonly seating 6–8 passengers, and offering roughly 2,000 nautical miles of range, making it better for longer nonstop city pairs. The Embraer Phenom 300E is also a light jet but sits at the top of the segment for speed and capability; it generally carries 6–8 passengers and provides about 1,900–2,000 nautical miles of range, often matching or edging CJ3+ on performance depending on mission profile. The Pilatus PC-12 NGX is a single-engine turboprop rather than a jet; it trades jet speed for versatility, short/rough-field access, and efficiency, typically accommodating 6–9 passengers, with a range commonly around 1,700–1,900 nautical miles.
| Spec | Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Cessna Citation M2 | Embraer Phenom 300E | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.05 | $ 3.45 | $ 3.88 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Embraer | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | CJ3+ | M2 | Phenom 300E | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1898 | 1400 | 2,010 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.58 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5530 | 3810 | 6914 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,680 | $ 1,395 | $ 1,758 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G3000 | Prodigy Touch (G3000) | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 415 | 404 | 464 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $9,915,000 | $5,150,000 | $9,650,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | — | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No | — |
| Jump Seat | No | No | No | — |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.9 | 8.5 | 9.4 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | No | Galley | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23586 | 22027 | 25560 | 13100 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | FJ44-3A | FJ44-1AP-21 | Canada PW535E1 | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3500 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 11 | ISA + 7 | ISA + 15 | ISA + 35 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 2820 | 1965 | 3360 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | 624 | 516 | 757 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 703 | 492 | — | — |
| Horsepower | — | — | — | 1200 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | — | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 51.2 | 42.6 | 51.2 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 53 | 47.3 | 52.16 | 53.33 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.7 | 11 | 17.2 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.2 | 14 | 16.75 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.2 | 8.8 | 14.8 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 65 | 46 | 74 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 10 | 40 |