Citation Sovereign

Production of the Citation Sovereign ran from 2004 to 2013, when Cessna introduced the improved Sovereign+ with winglets, upgraded engines, and a new Garmin flight deck. Combined, 349 Sovereign and 94 Sovereign+ aircraft were built.

The Cessna Citation Sovereign is a super midsize twin-engine jet built by Cessna (Textron Aviation). Produced from 2004 to 2013, it carries up to 10 passengers across a 3,200-nautical-mile range at 448 knots. Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C engines produce approximately 5,600 to 5,770 lbf each, per multiple published specification sources. Cabin length is 25.2 feet, stretched 6.6 feet from the Citation Excel.

Cessna wanted a jet that sat between the Excel and the Citation X, with near-transcontinental range to compete with the Hawker 800 and climb performance to rival the Learjet 60.

First, engineers stretched the Excel's fuselage by 6.6 feet, adding real cabin volume without a clean-sheet redesign.

Second, Cessna designed an all-new, larger wing (nearly 516 square feet) with a 16.3-degree sweep and large trailing-edge flaps, balancing efficient high-speed cruise with short-runway performance.

Third, the aircraft was fitted with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C engines and a variable gearing mechanism that continuously adjusts flap angle for smoother pitch changes, a first for a business jet at the time.

Per published performance data, the Sovereign can take off in as little as 3,640 feet at sea level and climbs to FL410 in about 19 minutes, giving it light-jet airport access with super midsize range.

The Sovereign filled a real gap in Cessna's lineup, offering coast-to-coast range and the largest baggage hold in its class at a lower price than the Citation X.

Cessna delivered 349 Sovereigns between 2004 and 2013. New aircraft carried a list price of approximately $18 million; the average pre-owned price today runs around $8.75 million.

By late 2012, the Sovereign fleet had reached 349 aircraft and logged over 802,000 flight hours. Cessna then introduced the improved Sovereign+, adding winglets, more powerful engines, and a new Garmin flight deck.

The Sovereign's success shaped its eventual replacement: Cessna developed the Citation Latitude directly from the Sovereign platform, carrying forward its wide-cabin, coast-to-coast approach.

A super midsize jet trades a higher hourly rate for meaningfully more range, cabin room, and baggage capacity.

• More range: 3,200 nautical miles versus roughly 2,000 to 2,700 nm for most midsize jets.
• More baggage: 135 cubic feet, the largest in the super midsize class, versus 40 to 65 cubic feet for most midsize jets.
• More cabin: 25.2 feet long versus roughly 17 to 21 feet long for most midsize jets.
• Better runway performance: a 3,640-foot takeoff distance keeps shorter, more convenient airports in reach despite the aircraft's size.
• Best mission: coast-to-coast US trips and Caribbean or transatlantic-adjacent routes with 6 to 10 passengers and full luggage.

With room for up to 10 passengers, the Citation Sovereign typically flies 8 guests in a double-club layout with an additional side-facing seat.

• Two facing sets of club seats, all able to swivel 180 degrees, with plentiful legroom for a super midsize cabin.
• An enclosed, full-length lavatory with double-sliding hard doors, plus an internal closet large enough for garment bags.
• Cabin height is 5.7 feet; most passengers can stand comfortably throughout the cabin.
• Sixteen cabin windows and dimmable LED lighting keep the cabin bright on longer legs.
• The cabin and cockpit can be pre-cooled by the APU before engine start, a passenger-comfort feature Cessna built in from the start.
• 135 cubic feet of total baggage space, split between external and internal compartments, the largest capacity in the super midsize class.

The Cessna Citation Sovereign cabin is 25.2 feet long, 5.5 feet wide, and 5.7 feet tall. Cabin pressurization holds a 6,000-foot equivalent altitude at cruise. The cabin seats up to 10 passengers with 135 cubic feet of baggage capacity, the most of any jet in its class.

Within the Sovereign line, the standard model offers the lowest cost of entry with the same cabin as the Sovereign+. The Sovereign+ adds winglets, more power, and a modern Garmin flight deck. The Sovereign remains a strong value pick for buyers prioritizing cabin space and baggage capacity over the latest avionics.

The 3,200-nautical-mile range covers coast-to-coast US routes with reserves to spare. New York to Los Angeles (2,451 nm) is comfortably within nonstop range.

The cost to charter a Cessna Citation Sovereign is typically $4,500 to $6,500 per flight hour. New York to Los Angeles one-way rental runs approximately $34,600 to $45,500. New York to Miami one-way charter price is approximately $21,800 to $27,700. Final all-in cost depends on operator, routing, positioning, and season. Fuel, crew, and maintenance are included in the hourly rate; landing fees, taxes, and repositioning are billed separately.

Contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573 for a current quote.

The hourly rate covers core operational costs. Additional fees are quoted separately.

• Aircraft operation: fuel, crew, and maintenance are included in the hourly rate.
• Two certificated pilots: required for all operations.
• Federal excise tax and segment fees: federally mandated, quoted separately.
• Positioning costs: charged if the aircraft must reposition to your departure airport.
• International handling fees: apply on Caribbean, Canada, and other international flights.

Contact Hogani Jets for current pricing and details.

The most useful comparison for the Sovereign is against its own successor, the Sovereign+, along with a contemporary competitor. The Sovereign+ adds winglets, more powerful engines, and modern avionics. The Hawker 900XP offers a similar rate with less range and cabin space.

Every Cessna Citation Sovereign charter coordinated by Hogani Jets is operated by an FAA Part 135 certificated direct air carrier holding full operational control of the flight. Each operator's certificate, insurance coverage, and safety record is independently reviewed before Hogani Jets coordinates a booking. ARGUS, Wyvern, or IS-BAO ratings are considered where they exist as one input to that review. Hogani Jets is an air charter broker and does not own or operate aircraft.

The Citation Sovereign carries Honeywell Primus Epic avionics as standard, with sophisticated stall-control and automated start-up systems built into the type from its introduction. Twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C engines power the aircraft. Pratt & Whitney Canada and Textron Aviation continue to provide parts and engineering support for the existing fleet.

The Citation Sovereign suits coast-to-coast corporate groups who need real baggage capacity. The following Hogani Jets route pages cover its most common corridors.

• New York to Miami private jet charter
• Miami to Dallas private jet charter
• New York to Chicago private jet charter

Ready to book a Cessna Citation Sovereign charter or check availability? Contact Hogani Jets for a tailored quote. Call +1-855-660-0573 or email charter@hoganijets.com.

How much does it cost to charter a Cessna Citation Sovereign?

Cessna Citation Sovereign charter rates typically run $4,500 to $6,500 per flight hour. New York to Los Angeles one-way runs approximately $34,600 to $45,500. Final cost depends on route, operator, positioning, and season.

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

The Sovereign+, introduced in December 2013, added winglets Cessna calls 'swooplets,' more powerful PW306D engines with autothrottle, and a Garmin G5000 flight deck in place of the original Honeywell Primus Epic. Climb rate improved from 3,200 to 4,083 feet per minute. Cabin dimensions and range stayed the same.

How many passengers can the Cessna Citation Sovereign carry?

The Citation Sovereign seats up to 10 passengers. Standard configurations typically seat 8 in double-club seating plus a side-facing seat.

How many Cessna Citation Sovereigns were built?

Cessna built 349 Citation Sovereigns between 2004 and 2013, followed by 94 Sovereign+ aircraft before Cessna ended the line in 2021 in favor of the Citation Latitude and Longitude.

What makes the Citation Sovereign's baggage space different from other super midsize jets?

The Sovereign's 135 cubic feet of baggage space is the largest in the super midsize class, split between roughly 100 cubic feet external and 35 cubic feet internal. A Hawker 800XP, by comparison, offers only about 48 cubic feet.

What is the real range of a Cessna Citation Sovereign?

Published range is 3,200 nautical miles. Realistic range with a full cabin and NBAA IFR reserves runs somewhat lower, closer to 2,800 to 3,190 nautical miles depending on source and payload.

Are empty leg flights available on the Cessna Citation Sovereign?

Yes. Repositioning flights create empty-leg opportunities. Availability is short-notice and date-fixed; Hogani Jets recommends flexibility when pursuing empty-leg pricing.

Is Hogani Jets a direct air carrier?

No. Hogani Jets is an air charter broker and does not own or operate aircraft. All Cessna Citation Sovereign charters are facilitated through licensed Part 135 direct air carriers holding full operational and regulatory control.