Cessna Citation Cj3 vs Cessna Citation Sovereign vs Embraer Praetor 500 vs Embraer Praetor 600
The Cessna Citation CJ3+ is a light jet suited to shorter regional missions. It typically carries about 6–9 passengers depending on layout and offers roughly 2,000 nautical miles of range, making it best for nonstop trips of a few hours rather than true coast‑to‑coast flying. The Cessna Citation Sovereign+ is a super‑mid-size jet, a step up in cabin volume and capability. It commonly seats around 8–12 passengers and delivers about 3,000 nautical miles of range, enabling many U.S. transcontinental and longer overwater segments with fewer compromises. The Embraer Praetor 500 sits in the super‑mid-size category as well, generally accommodating about 8–10 passengers. Its range is typically around 3,300 nautical miles, giving it an edge for longer nonstop city pairs compared with many peers. The Embraer Praetor 600 is also super‑mid-size but pushes toward large‑cabin performance, often seating about 8–12 passengers. With roughly 4,000 nautical miles of range, it offers the greatest nonstop reach of the four and is the most suited to longer intercontinental-style missions.
| Spec | Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Cessna Citation Sovereign+ | Embraer Praetor 500 | Embraer Praetor 600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.05 | $ 6.02 | $ 6.02 | $ 6.74 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Embraer | Embraer |
| Aircraft Name | CJ3+ | Sovereign + | Praetor 500 | Praetor 600 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1898 | 3138 | 3340 | 4018 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.58 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.84 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 9 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5530 | 12790 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,680 | $ 2,699 | $ 2,779 | $ 3,141 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G5000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 415 | 458 | 466 | 542 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $9,915,000 | $19,730,000 | $16,995,000 | $20,995,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | No | No | No | No |
| Total Seats | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 9 | 12 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.9 | 9.3 | 9.7 | 9.7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23586 | 25230 | 27110 | 27140 |
| Connectivity | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | Gogo AVANCE L5 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 5800 | 5800 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | FJ44-3A | PW306D | HTF7500E | HTF7500E |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 6000 | On-Condition | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 11 | ISA + 16 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 18 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 2820 | 5907 | 6540 | 7528 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | 624 | — | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 703 | 1700 | — | 1963 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 51.2 | 63.5 | 64.6 | 68.1 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 53 | 72.4 | 70.5 | 70.5 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.4 | 0.7 | Flat Floor | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.8 | 5.5 | 6.9 | 6.8 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 5.7 | 6 | 6 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.7 | 25.3 | 20.6 | 24.1 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.2 | 20.4 | 21.1 | 21 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.1 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.2 | 17.4 | 17.4 | 21.3 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 65 | 100 | 110 | 110 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 35 | 40 | 45 |