Cessna Citation CJ3 vs Cessna Citation II

Cessna's Citation family spans nearly five decades and ten distinct designs, and the Citation II sits at the historic end while the CJ3 represents the modern one. The Citation II (Model 550) entered service in 1978 with straight wings and Pratt & Whitney JT15D-4 turbofans — reliable, economical, and gentle enough to earn its "Slowtation" nickname from impatient jet-set pilots. The CJ3 arrived in 2004 with Williams FJ44-3A engines, a swept wing, and a cruise ceiling of approximately FL450 — night-and-day avionics, more range, more speed. The cross-shop question is almost always the same: "Is a good Citation II worth saving, or is a CJ3 the smarter long-term investment?"

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Cessna Citation CJ3
For sale now
64
Model years available
2004–2026
Cessna Citation II
For sale now
63
Median asking
$770,000
Range
$351,775–$2,295,250
Model years available
1977–1992

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna Citation CJ3 Cessna Citation II
Cessna Citation CJ3
View 68 listings →
Median $5,422,500
 Cessna Citation II
View 65 listings →
Median $770,000
Price Range $4,840,000 – $5,580,000 $351,775 – $2,295,250
Category Light Jet Light Jet
Model Specifications
Seats 9 10
Cruise Speed 391 kts (724 km/h) 345 kts (639 km/h)
Range 1,875 nm (3,472 km) 1,600 nm (2,963 km)
Service Ceiling 45,000 ft (13,716 m) 43,000 ft (13,106 m)
Max Gross Weight 13,870 lbs (6,291 kg) 13,300 lbs (6,033 kg)
Useful Load 3,230 lbs (1,465 kg) 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
Fuel Capacity 438.0 gal (1658 L) 470.0 gal (1779 L)
Fuel Burn 125.0 GPH (473 L/h) 125.0 GPH (473 L/h)
TBO 5,000 hrs 4,500 hrs
Overhaul Cost $275,000 $350,000
Annual Fixed $335,000 $200,000
Hourly Variable $1,850 $2,200
Engines 2 x Turbofan 2 x Turbofan

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna Citation CJ3

Fuel$688/hr
Variable$1,850/hr
Annual Fixed$335,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $705,000/yr

Cessna Citation II

Fuel$688/hr
Variable$2,200/hr
Annual Fixed$200,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $640,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna Citation CJ3 or Cessna Citation II?

Bottom line: Choose the Citation II if you're entering the Citation ecosystem on a limited budget and have a qualified maintenance team who knows the JT15D inside-out. A well-maintained Citation II at its market price offers reasonable block speed for light-jet travel without the premium of modern glass. Choose the CJ3 if you're buying for the next decade of ownership — better range (~1,800 nm vs ~1,300 nm), faster cruise (416 kt vs ~360 kt), modern avionics, and a vastly superior resale floor. Safety axis: both aircraft are twin-engine with the redundancy that provides, but the CJ3's glass-cockpit situational awareness tools — traffic, terrain, weather integration — substantively reduce cognitive load in IMC compared to the Citation II's vintage analog-and-EFIS environment. For single-pilot IFR operations, which are common in light jets, this isn't a minor preference, it's an accident-prevention difference.

Pick the Citation CJ3 if…

  • Lower operating cost — ~$1850/hr vs $2200/hr.
  • Faster cruise — 391 kts vs 345 kts.
  • Longer range — 1875 nm vs 1600 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 2004 vs 1978.
  • More inventory — 68 listings vs 65.

Pick the Citation II if…

  • Budget matters — from $351,775 vs $4,840,000, you save ~$4,488,225.
  • More seats — 10 vs 9.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a single pilot fly the Citation II legally?
The base Citation II (Model 550) is type-certificated for two-crew operation — single-pilot flying is not a blanket approval on the standard 550. Single-pilot operation belongs to the dedicated Model 551 (Citation II/SP), or requires a specific FAA single-pilot exemption for a qualifying operator holding a CE-500 type rating. The FAA requires a CE-500 type rating for any Citation II; currency in jet operations — turbine speeds, high-altitude physiology, and automation — differs significantly from piston flying. The CJ3 similarly requires the CE-525 type rating and is factory single-pilot certified.
What is the real-world range difference between the Citation II and CJ3?
With IFR reserves and a realistic passenger load, the Citation II delivers roughly 1,200–1,350 nm; the CJ3 is rated at 1,845 nm NBAA IFR. In practice, a typical CJ3 mission covers 1,400–1,600 nm before fuel stops, versus the Citation II at 900–1,100 nm under similar conditions. That extra range opens more nonstop city pairs — an important consideration if 1,000+ nm legs are part of the expected mission.
Are Citation II maintenance costs manageable compared to the CJ3?
Both require jet-specific maintenance programs, but the Citation II's JT15D engines are legacy turbofans with an engine support ecosystem that has fewer active participants than the Williams FJ44 — which powers several current-production aircraft. Overall fuel burn is modestly lower in the Citation II (roughly 100–115 gph vs 120–140 gph for the CJ3), but shrinking JT15D parts availability can erode that per-hour advantage. Any buyer should validate current engine program costs and parts sourcing before committing.
Which is better, Cessna Citation CJ3 or Cessna Citation II?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Citation CJ3 cruises at 391 kts with 1,875 nm range. The Citation II cruises at 345 kts with 1,600 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna Citation II: from $839,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna Citation CJ3 and Cessna Citation II?
Citation CJ3 engine: WILLIAMS FJ44-3A. Citation II engine: PRATT & WHITNEY JT15D-4B. Seats: 9 vs 10. Cruise: 391 vs 345 kts. Range: 1875 vs 1600 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Citation CJ3: about $1850/hr variable cost. Citation II: about $2200/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Citation CJ3: 9 seats / 3,230 lb useful load. Citation II: 10 seats / 4,000 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Citation CJ3: 5,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$275,000. Citation II: 4,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$350,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data