The Cessna Citation X+ is a large-cabin, long-range business jet built for speed and intercontinental travel

The Cessna Citation X+ (pronounced "ten plus") is a twin-engine jet manufactured by Textron Aviation, the business aviation division of Textron Inc. It is one of the fastest civilian aircraft in production, with a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.935 — just under the speed of sound. The aircraft entered service in 1996 as the Citation X, and Textron introduced the upgraded X+ model in 2020 with improved avionics, cabin features, and engine performance.

The jet is designed for operators who need to move between continents without stopping to refuel. It carries up to 12 passengers in a pressurized cabin, has a maximum range of approximately 3,590 nautical miles, and can climb to 51,000 feet. The cabin is 20 feet long and 8 feet wide — large enough for a galley, lavatory, and sleeping berths on long flights. It is certified to operate from runways as short as 5,000 feet, which gives it access to smaller regional airports that larger jets cannot use.

Key Takeaways

  • The Citation X+ cruises at Mach 0.935, making it one of the fastest business jets available and reducing flight time on transcontinental and transatlantic routes.
  • It carries 8 to 12 passengers depending on configuration and can fly up to 3,590 nautical miles without refueling, covering most routes between North America and Europe.
  • The cabin is large enough for a galley, lavatory, and sleeping berths, which matters on flights longer than six hours.
  • Operating costs run between $4,500 and $5,500 per flight hour, depending on fuel prices, crew expenses, and maintenance reserves.
  • The aircraft requires two pilots and is certified for single-pilot operation only under specific conditions; most operators employ a crew of three or four including a flight attendant.

How the Citation X+ compares to competing large-cabin jets

The Citation X+ occupies a specific market segment: it is faster than most competitors but carries fewer passengers than ultra-large jets like the Bombardier Global 7500 or Gulfstream G650ER. The trade-off is speed versus cabin size and range.

The Bombardier Global 7500 carries up to 16 passengers, has a slightly longer range (5,200 nautical miles), and cruises at Mach 0.925 — marginally slower than the X+. The Gulfstream G650ER carries 13 passengers, cruises at Mach 0.925, and has a range of 5,950 nautical miles. Both are more expensive to purchase and operate than the Citation X+. The Gulfstream G550, an older model still in wide use, carries 13 passengers, cruises at Mach 0.885, and costs less to operate but is slower and has a shorter range (4,750 nautical miles).

The Citation X+ is lighter and more fuel-efficient than these competitors, which keeps hourly operating costs lower. It is the better choice for operators who prioritize speed and want to minimize fuel burn on routes under 4,000 nautical miles. It is the worse choice for operators who need to carry more than 12 passengers regularly or who fly routes where the extra range of a Global or Gulfstream matters.

Engines, performance, and runway requirements

The Citation X+ is powered by two Rolls-Royce AE 3007C2 turbofan engines, each producing 6,750 pounds of thrust. These engines are the same type used on military trainer aircraft and are known for reliability and relatively low fuel consumption for their power output. The engines allow the jet to climb to 51,000 feet in approximately 25 minutes and to cruise at Mach 0.935 at that altitude.

The aircraft can take off from a runway 5,000 feet long at sea level under standard conditions with a full fuel load and four passengers. This is shorter than most large-cabin jets and gives operators access to airports in mountainous regions, smaller cities, and private airfields. Landing distance is approximately 2,500 feet, which further expands the network of usable airports.

Maximum takeoff weight is 76,500 pounds. The jet burns approximately 260 gallons of jet fuel per hour at cruise, which is efficient for an aircraft of its size and speed. Fuel capacity is 18,398 pounds (approximately 2,765 gallons), which supports the maximum range of 3,590 nautical miles with reserves.

Cabin layout and passenger comfort on long flights

The Citation X+ cabin is 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 6 feet 2 inches tall — large enough for an adult to stand upright and move between seats without ducking. The standard configuration seats 8 passengers in a club arrangement (four seats facing four seats across a table), but the cabin can be reconfigured to seat up to 12 by removing the table and adding single seats along the walls.

The galley is equipped with a microwave, convection oven, and refrigerator. The lavatory includes a shower option on some aircraft, though most operators omit this to save weight. The cabin is pressurized to 6,000 feet at cruise altitude, which reduces fatigue on long flights compared to unpressurized aircraft or those with higher cabin altitudes.

On flights longer than eight hours, the cabin can be configured with sleeping berths — a convertible bed that folds down from the wall or converts from the club seating. This feature is standard on ultra-long-range jets but less common on the Citation X+ because its range is better suited to flights of 8 to 12 hours rather than 14-hour transatlantic crossings.

Operating costs and crew requirements

The direct operating cost of a Citation X+ ranges from $4,500 to $5,500 per flight hour, depending on fuel prices, engine maintenance reserves, and crew expenses. This includes fuel, crew salaries, engine reserves, airframe maintenance, insurance, and landing fees. It does not include hangar rent, which varies by location from $1,500 to $4,000 per month.

The aircraft is certified for operation by two pilots and does not require a flight attendant by regulation. However, most operators employ a crew of three (two pilots and one flight attendant) or four (two pilots, one flight attendant, and one additional crew member for very long flights). Pilot salaries for a Citation X+ operator typically range from $120,000 to $180,000 per year for a captain and $90,000 to $140,000 for a first officer, depending on experience and location.

The jet is certified for single-pilot operation only under specific conditions and with specific training. Most charter operators and corporate flight departments do not permit single-pilot flights due to insurance and safety policies, even though the aircraft is technically capable of it.

Maintenance, inspections, and engine reserves

The Citation X+ requires a 100-hour inspection every 100 flight hours, a 500-hour inspection every 500 flight hours, and an annual inspection. The 100-hour inspection typically costs $8,000 to $12,000. The 500-hour inspection costs $25,000 to $40,000. The annual inspection costs $15,000 to $25,000, depending on what maintenance issues are discovered.

Engine reserves are typically set aside at $1,200 to $1,500 per flight hour to cover major engine overhauls. A complete overhaul of one Rolls-Royce AE 3007C2 engine costs approximately $2 million to $2.5 million and is required every 5,000 to 6,000 flight hours. Most operators budget for this by setting aside money each month rather than paying the full cost when the overhaul is due.

The airframe is certified for a maximum of 30,000 flight hours before major structural inspections become more frequent. Most Citation X+ aircraft in service have accumulated between 8,000 and 15,000 flight hours, so airframe life is not yet a limiting factor for most operators.

Purchase price and resale value

A new Citation X+ costs approximately $21 million to $24 million, depending on interior configuration and avionics options. This price does not include delivery, training, or initial spare parts inventory, which can add $500,000 to $1 million.

Used Citation X+ aircraft (post-2020 models) typically sell for $16 million to $20 million, depending on total flight hours, maintenance history, and interior condition. Older Citation X models (1996 to 2019) sell for $8 million to $14 million. The resale market is active because the aircraft is popular with charter operators and corporate flight departments, and because the speed advantage over competing jets makes it attractive to buyers who fly long routes frequently.

Depreciation is typically 15 to 20 percent in the first year, then 5 to 8 percent per year thereafter, assuming the aircraft is well-maintained and flown regularly. An aircraft that sits unused depreciates faster because potential buyers worry about corrosion and systems degradation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Citation X+ fly nonstop from New York to London?

No. The maximum range of 3,590 nautical miles is not enough to cover the 3,450 nautical miles from New York to London with required fuel reserves. The aircraft can make the flight with a fuel stop in Newfoundland or Iceland, adding 2 to 3 hours to total trip time. A Gulfstream G650ER or Bombardier Global 7500 can make the flight nonstop.

How many pilots does a Citation X+ need?

The aircraft is certified for two pilots and does not require a flight attendant by regulation. Most operators employ a crew of three (two pilots and one flight attendant) for passenger comfort and safety. Single-pilot operation is permitted under specific conditions with additional training, but most charter and corporate operators do not allow it.

What is the difference between the Citation X and Citation X+?

The X+ is the upgraded model introduced in 2020. It has improved avionics (Garmin G5000 NXi flight deck), more powerful engines (6,750 pounds of thrust versus 6,500 on the original X), and a redesigned cabin interior. The X+ is faster and more fuel-efficient. Used X models are significantly cheaper but older and less capable.

How much does it cost to fly a Citation X+ per hour?

Direct operating costs range from $4,500 to $5,500 per flight hour, including fuel, crew, maintenance, and engine reserves. This does not include hangar rent, insurance, or the cost of capital if you own the aircraft. Charter operators typically charge $6,500 to $8,500 per flight hour to cover these costs and generate profit.

Can a Citation X+ land at small airports?

Yes. The aircraft requires only 5,000 feet of runway for takeoff and 2,500 feet for landing, which gives it access to most regional airports and many private airfields. This is a significant advantage over larger jets like the Global 7500 or G650ER, which need longer runways.