Cessna Citation Cj4 vs Cessna Citation Sovereign vs Pilatus Pc 24
Commercial aircraft are often compared by category, range, and passenger capacity because those factors largely determine route suitability and operating economics. Regional aircraft, including small regional jets and turboprops, typically seat about 30 to 90 passengers and are optimized for short segments, commonly a few hundred to roughly 1,500 miles, making them well suited to thinner routes and feeding larger hubs. Single-aisle narrowbody jets generally carry around 120 to 240 passengers and cover short to medium ranges, often up to about 3,000 to 4,000 miles depending on the variant, which fits high-frequency domestic and many transcontinental or intra-continental services. Widebody twin-aisle aircraft usually accommodate roughly 250 to 450 passengers and are designed for long-haul flying, frequently 5,000 to 9,000+ miles, supporting intercontinental routes and higher-density markets. Very large aircraft, where still in service, can exceed 500 seats and prioritize high-capacity trunk routes, with ranges comparable to long-haul widebodies but requiring strong demand and compatible airport infrastructure.
| Spec | Cessna Citation CJ4 | Cessna Citation Sovereign+ | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.37 | $ 6.02 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 11 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | CJ4 | Sovereign + | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 2170 | 3138 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.62 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6914 | 12790 | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,970 | $ 2,699 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Garmin G5000 | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 440 | 458 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $11,290,000 | $19,730,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | No | No |
| Jump Seat | No | No | No |
| Total Seats | 9 | 11 | 6 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9 | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | Galley | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 24005 | 25230 | 23500 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | FJ44-4A | PW306D | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 6000 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 11 | ISA + 16 | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 3621 | 5907 | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | 757 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 870 | 1700 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 53.4 | 63.5 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 50 | 72.4 | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.4 | 0.7 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.8 | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 5.7 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 17.2 | 25.3 | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 15.5 | 20.4 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.1 | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 14.8 | 17.4 | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 70 | 100 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 7 | 35 | 90 |