Most Philadelphia charter trips are regional, and a light jet covers that range comfortably.
Cessna (Textron Aviation) built the Cessna Citation CJ3 between 2004 and 2014. It is flown by a crew of 1 to 2. The type carries 6 to 8 passengers, cruises at 417 knots, tops out at 45,000 feet, covers 1,875 nautical miles and holds 65 cubic feet of baggage. Every Cessna Citation CJ3 we arrange flies with an operator certified under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Light Jet
- Manufacturer: Cessna (Textron Aviation)
- Years produced: 2004-2014
- Seating: 6 to 8
- Crew: 1 to 2
- Range: 1,875 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 417 knots
- Service ceiling: 45,000 feet
- Length: 51.2 feet
- Wingspan: 53.3 feet
- Height: 15.2 feet
- Baggage volume: 65 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the Cessna Citation CJ3 Fits Philadelphia
Most Philadelphia light jet trips leave from Northeast Philadelphia (KPNE), which has a 7,000-foot runway and a tower open from six in the morning until eleven at night. For the southern side of the region, New Castle (KILG) near Wilmington is frequently closer.
A published range of 1,875 nautical miles brings Nassau, Dallas, Denver and Aspen within reach of Philadelphia, before the operator applies reserves and routing for the day.
The runway required on the day is a performance calculation the operator makes for that aircraft, at that weight, in the conditions on your date, so we confirm it with them for your specific trip.
Gallery
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Cessna Citation CJ3 run $3,800 to $5,000 per hour as of 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
As a rough guide, Philadelphia to Aspen is about 1,466 nautical miles, which is roughly 3.5 to 4.0 hours of flight time at this aircraft’s cruise speed before winds and routing are applied.
Other Light Jets Available
- Beechjet 400A
- Cessna Citation Bravo
- Cessna Citation CJ2
- Cessna Citation CJ4
- Cessna Citation Encore
- Cessna Citation II
Contact
For a quote on a Cessna Citation CJ3 charter to or from Philadelphia, call 1-888-987-5387 or visit our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.