Cessna Citation Cj3 vs Cessna Citation Sovereign vs Embraer Praetor 500 vs Embraer Praetor 600 vs Gulfstream G280
The Cessna Citation CJ3+ is a light jet, best for shorter regional missions, typically offering about 4–9 passengers with an NBAA range around 2,000 nautical miles. The Cessna Citation Sovereign+ steps up to the super-midsize class, generally seating about 8–12 passengers and reaching roughly 3,200 nautical miles, making it better for longer nonstop city pairs while retaining good runway performance. Embraer’s Praetor 500 is also super-midsize, usually configured for about 7–10 passengers, with an NBAA range near 3,300 nautical miles and a notably modern cabin and avionics suite. The Praetor 600 pushes into the larger end of super-midsize, commonly 8–12 passengers, with about 4,000 nautical miles of range, enabling more transcontinental and some transatlantic capability. The Gulfstream G280 is a super-midsize with a large-cabin feel, typically around 8–10 passengers, and roughly 3,600 nautical miles of NBAA range, emphasizing high-speed cruise and long legs. Overall, CJ3+ prioritizes efficiency on shorter trips, while Praetor 600 and G280 lead for longer nonstop missions.
| Spec | Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Cessna Citation Sovereign+ | Embraer Praetor 500 | Embraer Praetor 600 | Gulfstream G280 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.05 | $ 6.02 | $ 6.02 | $ 6.74 | $ 6.57 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Embraer | Embraer | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | CJ3+ | Sovereign + | Praetor 500 | Praetor 600 | G280 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1898 | 3138 | 3340 | 4018 | 3600 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.58 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.82 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5530 | 12790 | — | — | 15550 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,680 | $ 2,699 | $ 2,779 | $ 3,141 | $ 3,168 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G5000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Gulfstream PlaneView (Pro Line Fusion) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 415 | 458 | 466 | 542 | 481 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $9,915,000 | $19,730,000 | $16,995,000 | $20,995,000 | $24,900,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | No | No | No | No | No |
| Total Seats | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 8.9 | 9.3 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 23586 | 25230 | 27110 | 27140 | 25000 |
| Connectivity | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 | Gogo AVANCE L5 | — |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 5800 | 5800 | 5800 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | FJ44-3A | PW306D | HTF7500E | HTF7500E | HTF7250G |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 6000 | On-Condition | On-Condition | On-Condition |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 11 | ISA + 16 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 18 | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 2820 | 5907 | 6540 | 7528 | 7624 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 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 | 66.9 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 53 | 72.4 | 70.5 | 70.5 | 63 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.4 | 0.7 | Flat Floor | Flat Floor | 0.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.8 | 5.5 | 6.9 | 6.8 | 6.9 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 5.7 | 6 | 6 | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.7 | 25.3 | 20.6 | 24.1 | 25.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.2 | 20.4 | 21.1 | 21 | 21.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.1 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.2 | 17.4 | 17.4 | 21.3 | 17.7 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 65 | 100 | 110 | 110 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 35 | 40 | 45 | 154 |