Private Jet Aircraft Charter: Complete Citation CJ1 vs CJ2 vs CJ3 vs CJ4 Comparison

When you’re booking private jet hire in Australia, the Cessna Citation family offers something for everyone—from the nimble 5-seat CJ1 to the spacious 9-passenger CJ4. But which CJ is right for your next aircraft charter? The answer depends on how many people you’re flying with, how far you’re going, and what level of comfort you need.

Think of the Citation series as stepping stones: each model builds on the last, adding more seats, greater range, and enhanced comfort. The beauty of this progression is that you can find exactly what you need without paying for capabilities you won’t use. Let’s explore how the Citation CJ1, CJ2, CJ3, and CJ4 stack up for Australian charter flights.

What makes all Citation Jets special is their versatility. Unlike larger jets that need long runways and major airports, these aircraft can slip into smaller regional airports—opening up destinations that would otherwise require lengthy road transfers. Plus, they can all be flown by a single pilot, which keeps your aircraft charter costs more reasonable.

Citation CJ1: Small but Mighty

Don’t let the Citation CJ1’s compact size fool you—this 5-passenger aircraft with its 2,687-kilometre range punches well above its weight. It’s the Citation family’s efficiency champion, often costing less to operate than some turboprops whilst delivering true jet speed and altitude capability.

The CJ1’s Williams FJ44-1A engines push it along at 740 km/h, getting you from Sydney to Canberra in just 1.5 hours. More importantly, it can land on runways as short as 1,000 metres, which means you can reach places like remote mining sites or regional business centres that bigger jets simply can’t access.

Here’s the trade-off: the 3.68-metre cabin is cosy, and there’s no toilet onboard. But for flights under two hours with a small group, this rarely matters. You’ll have comfortable club seating for four people plus one extra seat, and enough baggage space for typical business trips.

The CJ1 shines on routes like Melbourne to Adelaide (1.8 hours) or Brisbane to Rockhampton (2.2 hours). It’s perfect when you need to get a small team somewhere quickly and cost-effectively, or when you’re heading to destinations where private jet hire is the only practical option. Mining executives love it for site visits, and it’s ideal for urgent freight delivery to remote locations.

Citation CJ2: The Sweet Spot for Most Travellers

Step up to the Citation CJ2 and you’ll immediately notice the difference. With space for 7 passengers and a 3,000-kilometre range, this aircraft hits the sweet spot for many charter applications. The big game-changer? You finally get a proper enclosed toilet—making longer flights much more civilised.

The CJ2 stretches the cabin by 87 centimetres compared to the CJ1, and you’ll feel every bit of that extra room. At 4.55 metres long, there’s genuine comfort for flights over two hours. The Williams FJ44-2C engines deliver more thrust (2,400 pounds each), supporting the larger cabin whilst keeping fuel consumption reasonable.

You’ll appreciate the thoughtful touches: extra cabin windows for better views, improved soundproofing for quieter conversations, and three separate baggage compartments with more generous capacity. The main cabin comfortably seats six people, with that all-important seventh seat available when needed.

Cruising at 754 km/h, the CJ2 handles routes like Perth to Adelaide (2.8 hours) or Darwin to Alice Springs (2.1 hours) with ease. Its 3,000-kilometre range covers most Australian domestic routes non-stop, making it ideal for corporate teams, family holidays, or interstate business where comfort matters. This is often the first Citation that charter flights customers choose when they want genuine jet comfort without the expense of larger aircraft.

Citation CJ3: Where Comfort Meets Performance

The Citation CJ3 is where the Citation family starts getting serious about luxury. With 8 passengers and a 3,780-kilometre range, this aircraft brings significantly more powerful Williams FJ44-3A engines (2,780 pounds thrust each) and one of the longest cabins in the light jet world.

At 4.90 metres, the CJ3’s cabin gives everyone room to breathe and work comfortably. The advanced Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics include synthetic vision technology—essentially giving pilots a 3D view of terrain even in poor weather—plus enhanced weather radar that can spot turbulence before you hit it.

What sets the CJ3 apart are the business-friendly features: fold-out work tables, multiple power outlets, and an in-flight accessible baggage compartment. The enhanced sound insulation means you can actually have conversations or conduct phone calls without shouting. These might seem like small details, but they transform longer flights from endurance tests into productive time.

Flying at 778 km/h, the CJ3 conquers Australia’s longest domestic routes: Sydney to Perth takes just 4.2 hours, Melbourne to Darwin is 3.8 hours. This capability makes it perfect for executive teams who need to work during flight, companies with regular long-haul domestic travel, or when you want midsize jet comfort without the operating costs. The CJ3 represents excellent value for private jets in the premium light jet category.

Citation CJ4: The Ultimate Citation Jet Experience

At the top of the Citation Jet family sits the Citation CJ4—accommodating 9 passengers with a 4,100-kilometre range that approaches midsize jet territory. This aircraft doesn’t just add more seats; it incorporates genuinely advanced technology including a swept wing design borrowed from the larger Citation Sovereign.

The Williams FJ44-4A engines pack nearly double the punch of the CJ1’s powerplants (3,621 pounds thrust each), pushing the CJ4 to 815 km/h cruise speeds and up to 45,000 feet altitude. That high service ceiling means smoother flights above most weather, whilst the Garmin G3000 avionics provide iPad-like touchscreen controls that make complex operations intuitive.

The 5.41-metre cabin is genuinely spacious, with flexible seating from club arrangements to conference layouts. The 76 cubic feet baggage compartment—the largest in the Citation family—swallows extended trip luggage and business equipment. You can actually move around comfortably, which matters on longer flights.

Routes like Sydney to Cairns (3.1 hours), Perth to Darwin (3.5 hours), or Melbourne to Brisbane (2.4 hours) are well within the CJ4’s capabilities. This makes the CJ4 perfect for large corporate groups, premium charter clients, or when you need maximum Citation capability whilst maintaining the operational flexibility that defines private aircraft in this family.

Making Your Choice

Here’s how to choose: go with the CJ1 when cost efficiency trumps everything else and you’re travelling short distances with a small group. The CJ2 works brilliantly for most interstate corporate travel where you need that toilet and extra comfort. Pick the CJ3 when you’re flying longer domestic routes and want genuine workspace capability. Choose the CJ4 for large groups, transcontinental travel, or when you want the ultimate Citation Jet experience.

Operating costs rise with each model, but so does capability. The key is matching what you actually need—there’s no point paying CJ4 rates for a short Sydney-Melbourne hop that a CJ1 handles perfectly. Browse our detailed aircraft specifications to dive deeper into the numbers.

Your Citation Charter Specialists

At Adagold Aviation, we’ve been matching clients with the right Citation for over three decades. Our charter flight team knows these aircraft inside out and stays current with the latest avionics updates and cabin configurations.

We handle everything beyond just finding the right aircraft: route planning that considers weather and alternate airports, ground handling coordination, catering arrangements, and even those last-minute passenger changes that inevitably happen. Our team treats every charter like it’s our own family travelling.

The Citation Jet family’s versatility means there’s genuinely a perfect aircraft for almost every Australian charter requirement. Whether you need a CJ1 to reach a remote mining site or a CJ4 for transcontinental business travel, we’ll match you with exactly the right private jet hire solution.

Ready to experience Citation Jet excellence? Contact Adagold Aviation today and let’s discuss which Citation model best serves your travel needs. Our aircraft charter expertise ensures you get exactly what you need—no more, no less—for every flight.