Citation CJ4

The Citation CJ4 is the largest, fastest, and most capable aircraft in the CitationJet family. While it remains single-pilot certified and part of the 525 type-rating family, the CJ4 feels like a major step beyond the straight-wing CJ models. Its semi-swept wing, more powerful Williams FJ44-4A engines, higher Vmo/Mmo limits, single-point refueling, externally serviced lavatory, and larger-cabin feel make it especially popular with corporate flight departments and professionally managed owners.

The CJ4 introduced a 12.5-degree swept wing and substantially more power than the CJ3, giving it a different operating personality than earlier CJ models. With a Vmo/Mmo of 305 KIAS / Mach 0.77 and published maximum cruise speed of 451 KTAS, the CJ4 is a true 450-knot-class light jet — in the same performance territory as the Phenom 300 class. Textron lists the current CJ4 Gen3 at 2,165 nm maximum range, 451 KTAS maximum cruise, FL450 ceiling, and 5,828 lb usable fuel. Real-world trip planning depends on passenger load, fuel reserves, winds, routing, temperature, and runway requirements.

The cabin is approximately two feet longer than the CJ3, with the familiar Citation 525 cross-section of 57 inches high and 58 inches wide and approximately 17 ft 4 in of cabin length. Typical layouts include a four-place club, two forward-facing seats, one or two side-facing seats, and an aft externally serviced lavatory that may be belted depending on configuration. Day-to-day corporate use most commonly works best as a seven- to eight-passenger airplane, with higher-density configurations available.

The original CJ4 was delivered with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics. The CJ4 Gen2, introduced in early 2021, focused on the passenger experience — adding improved seating, lighting, cabin management, and interior refinements while retaining the Pro Line 21 flight deck. The CJ4 Gen3 advances the platform further with Garmin G3000 avionics, Garmin autothrottles, and Garmin Emergency Autoland, making the aircraft more intuitive and accessible to owner-operators while preserving the performance that established the CJ4 as the top 525-series business aircraft.

Published takeoff field length is approximately 3,410 ft and landing distance approximately 2,940 ft, with a maximum climb rate of 3,854 fpm. Current CJ4 materials list 77.1 cubic feet of baggage volume and 1,040 lb of baggage capacity — the luggage flexibility expected by corporate users and longer-range operators.

For buyers, the CJ4 is the performance step-up choice in the CJ family. It is faster, more powerful, and more corporate-oriented than the CJ3/CJ3+, while retaining Citation efficiency, strong runway performance, single-pilot certification, and a large support network. The right buyer should view the CJ4 less as a bigger CJ3 and more as the top-end 525-series aircraft for serious business transportation.