Tag: Citation X speed

If you’re in a hurry, Cessna’s Citation X and X+ give extra speed to midsize private jets

The Citation X and X+, like the Gulfstream G650, has reached speeds of over Mach .9, just short of breaking the sound barrier and going supersonic. Perhaps as impressive as the first Citation X was delivered in 1996, and still, today is the fastest private jet in the midsize cabin category, according to data provided by Conklin & de Decker. But before we go forward, let’s talk about what’s a midsize jet? ARGUS defines midsize jets from 21,000 to 41,000 pounds at maximum takeoff weight, but there is no industry definition for super-midsize. A spokesperson for the General Aviation Manufacturer’s Association, the super-midsize designation, is a self-proclaimed marketing segment. In fact, in terms of categorizing aircraft, the operators and brokers are often selling jet cards and charters that do so, meaning one person’s midsize jet can be somebody else’s midsize jet. You will even find large light jets sometimes offered up as a midsize jet.

Now that we have that out of the way, the second-fastest midsize jet – the Premier Aircraft Falcon 50-4 – was last delivered in 1996, so it’s unlikely you will find yourself on one. Next up with Bombardier Learjet 55/55C/55B (at 564 miles per hour maximum cruise speed), Beechcraft Hawker 4000 (563 mph), Gulfstream G280 (555 mph), Dassault Falcon 2000DX (555 mph), Dassault Falcon 50 series (552 mph), Dassault Falcon 2000S (551 mph) and new Cessna Citation Longitude (548 mph).

Midsize and Super Midsize Aircraft Specific Jet Cards

While speed is not likely to be a key factor in choosing a midsize or super-midsize jet card, meaning being able to select a specific aircraft may be less important just based on how fast you can go, several jet card options do allow you to get aircraft specific and still get guaranteed availability and fixed hourly rates. Magellan Jets sells a Challenger 300/G200 jet card and Citation X/Sovereign cards in super mid. It also has a Hawker 800XP jet card, which it sells as midsize. Flexjet offers a Challenger 300 jet card, NetJets has Marquis Jet cards specific to the Citation Sovereign and X, ProspAir sells a Hawker 800XP midsize card and a Dassault Falcon 50 super-midsize card, XOJET offers both the Challenger 300 and Citation X. In contrast, Nicholas Air, which enables you to select any jet from its fleet per trip has the Citation Longitude. Also enabling you to choose a specific aircraft and offering guaranteed availability and fixed rates in the mid and super-midsize category is OneFlight International.  We also expect Wheels Up, which has delivered three Citation Xs with more on the way, to post pricing for the type soon. Right now, it is using it for customer upgrades, no a bad deal if you reserve a Citation Excel/XLS or King Air 350i and end up with one of the world’s fastest private jets.

Which midsize and super midsize jets are the fastest? Compare over 60 private jets by maximum cruise speed, normal cruise speed, and long-range cruise speed:

Source: Conklin & de Decker Associates, Inc., July 14, 2018.  Seating is standard configuration, provided for guidance only, and may vary by owner.

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About Conklin & de Decker

Conklin & de Decker, a JSSI company, is a leader in aviation research, consulting, and education with offices in Massachusetts, Texas, and Arizona. The mission of Conklin & de Decker is to enable the general aviation industry to make more informed decisions when dealing with the purchase, operation, and disposition of aircraft by furnishing objective and impartial information. Founded in 1984, Conklin & de Decker focuses on fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft operating costs, performance and specification databases, maintenance management software, financial management, fleet planning, market research, aviation tax issues, and financial, tax and management seminars.  Conklin & de Decker consults with numerous individuals, corporations, and government agencies worldwide. More information on their products and services, copies of articles published, and a unique “Members Only” section can be found on their website.