The Cessna Citation Longitude is a luxurious mid-size business jet that many aviation enthusiasts prefer. The main reason behind its popularity is its advanced technology, range and speed, cost, etc. Therefore, the Cessna citation longitude is also called the combination of luxury, performance, and cost-effectiveness.
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The History of Cessna Citation Longitude
It was first announced in 2012, and its first test flight took place on October 8, 2016. Whereas the first Cessna Citation Longitude flew with passengers on September 30, 2019.
Cessna Citation Longitude is manufactured by Textron Aviation Team in collaboration with Honeywell company. Also, it was officially certified by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) in September 2019. Also, on 9 October 2023, the Textron Aviation Team announced that it has delivered the 100th flagship Cessna Citation Longitude business jet to a longtime Citation customer. The aircraft has been showcased at various aviation exhibitions, including EBACE in 2017, further solidifying its presence in the business aviation market.
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How powerful is the Cessna Citation Longitude?
The Cessna Citation Longitude features the Garmin G5000 avionics suite, touchscreen controls, and autothrottle for enhanced flight safety and efficiency. The jet also has a generously advanced air circulation system for fresh cabin air and fuel-efficient Honeywell HTF7700L engines with a peak speed of 483 knots which makes it one of the best mid-sized business jets.
| Features | Cessna Citation longitude |
| Range | 3500 nm (6,482 km) |
| Max Speed | 483 knots (893 km/h) |
| Engine | Honeywell HTF7700L |
| Max Altitude | 45,000 ft |
Dimension of Cessna Citation Longitude
The total length of Cessna Citation Longitude is 22.3 meters with a wingspan of 21 meters and a height of 5.9 meters.
The length of the cabin is 7.6 meters, the height of 1.83 meters, and the width of 1.96 meters providing ample space for passengers to move comfortably. With a seating capacity of up to 12 passengers, depending on the configuration. According to Textron Aviation, the standard configuration of the Longitude’s cabin has eight seats, with an optional configuration replacing two of the aircraft seats with a side-facing couch that has three places.
The dimensions of the Cessna Citation Longitude are as follows:
| External Length | 22.3 meters |
| Wingspan | 21 meters |
| External Height | 5.9 meters |
| Cabin Length | 7.6 meters |
| Cabin Width | 1.96 meters |
| Cabin Height | 1.83 meters |
Market Rate of New and Pre-owned Cessna Citation Longitude
The purchase price for a new Cessna Citation Longitude typically ranges from $29 million to $32 million, depending on customization and configuration options. If you’re thinking about buying a pre-owned Cessna Citation Longitude, prices usually fall between $18 million to $26 million. The exact cost depends on a few key factors:
- Aircraft Age
Newer jets with fewer flight hours cost more because they show less wear and have more lifespan left. The price of a jet gradually decreases with time. - Maintenance History
A jet with detailed service records and regular inspections is more valuable. Cause it indicates it’s been well taken care of, which reduces the chance of unexpected (and costly) repairs. They also minimize the chances of surprise repairs, which can be a major financial burden. - Upgrades and Modifications
Aircraft with updated avionics or refurbished interiors often have higher price tags. These upgrades make the plane more attractive to buyers, saving them the time and effort of making improvements themselves. - Market Demand
Prices can go up or down based on how many people are looking to buy jets and the general state of the economy. If new models or other competing jets come onto the market, that can also affect how much a pre-owned Longitude is worth.
Cost To Maintain Cessna Citation Longitude After Buying
After Owning a Cessna Citation Longitude the owner must maintain it. The owner should pay out in various factors after buying this jet, the different aspects where the owner should spend are given below:
Maintenance and Inspections
Time-to-time maintenance is one of the most important things to do after buying an aircraft. Annual costs for scheduled maintenance, including airframe inspections and avionics updates, typically range from $500,000 to $1 million. And engine maintenance programs, such as Pratt & Whitney’s ESP Gold, can cost between $300,000 and $500,000 each year, these programs offer predictable costs.
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Crew Salaries
Operating the jet requires at least two pilots, and often a flight attendant. The total cost for these salaries can be anywhere from $250,000 to $400,000 per year, depending on the crew’s experience and benefits. Also, Pilots and crew must undergo recurrent training and certification, which can cost an additional $20,000 to $50,000 per year.
Insurance Costs
Insurance premiums for a jet like the Citation Longitude typically range between $120,000 and $200,000 annually. The exact amount depends on factors like the pilot’s experience, coverage limits, and where you fly.
Landing, Navigation, and Handling Fees
Airports charge landing and handling fees that usually range from $2,000 to $5,000 per trip. These fees depend on the airport’s size and location. Additional services like priority handling, customs processing, and access to VIP lounges can add extra costs.
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Fuel Costs
The Cessna Citation Longitude consumes around 275 gallons of fuel per hour. With an average jet fuel price of $6 per gallon, that’s about $1,650 in fuel for each hour of flight.
Unique Features on Cessna Citation Longitude
There are various features that make it popular and different from other business jets but the famous features are described below:
Speed and performance
The Cessna Citation Longitude is powered by two Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines, known for their reliability. Also, its engines are highly dependable, requiring less frequent maintenance These engines provide thrust, enabling the jet to achieve a maximum cruise speed of 483 knots (893 km/h) and cover a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 Km).
Cost-Effective Performance
The Cessna Citation Longitude is considered more cost-effective than many other midsize business jets due to its competitive pricing. A Cessna Citation Longitude purchase price is just $28 million whereas an average business jet purchase price varies between $30 million and $50 million. The Longitude also has an operating cost of around $2,800 per hour, lower than the typical $3,000 to $4,000 per hour for other midsize business jets.
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Cabin Comfort and Quiet Cabin
The Cessna Citation Longitude is designed to be very comfortable for passengers. It has a flat floor, so it’s easy to move around, and it can seat up to 12 people with plenty of space. The cabin of the Cessna Citation Longitude is quiet because of its advanced acoustic engineering and careful design to minimize noise, which makes it perfect for relaxing or working without noise. Also, it ensures fresh air throughout the flight with its advanced air management system.
Advanced Avionics
Cessna Citation Longitude is equipped with advanced avionics. It uses the Garmin G5000 avionics suite, a set of high-tech touchscreens and controls that make flying easier and safer. The system clearly shows important information and helps pilots with navigation, weather, and flight planning. It also has features like an autothrottle, which automatically adjusts the engine power for optimal performance, reducing the workload for pilots.
Resale Value
The Longitude maintains its value well due to its popularity and strong demand in the business jet market. A well-maintained jet with a documented service history could be sold at a premium price in the pre-owned market, offering good returns on investment.
Comparison Between Cessna Citation Longitude And Cessna Citation Latitude
The Cessna Citation Longitude and Cessna Citation Latitude are two popular business jets designed by Cessna, So what’s the difference between them? let’s find out in the table below:
| Features | Cessna Citation Longitude | Cessna Citation Latitude |
| Max speed | 3500 nm | 2,700 nm |
| Maximum range | 483 knots | 446 knots |
| Seating capacity | Upto 12 Passengers | Upto 9 Passengers |
| Engines | Two Honeywell HTF7700L | Two Pratt & Whitney PW306D1 |
The Cessna Citation Longitude is powered by more robust Honeywell HTF7700L engines that deliver greater thrust and efficiency, resulting in a max speed of about 483 knots, compared to the Latitude’s Max speed of 446 knots. Also, the Cessna Citation Longitude has much more range as compared to Cessna Citation Latitude.
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While comparing the purchase cost of both business jets, The Cessna Citation Longitude purchase price ranges from $29 million to $32 million whereas the Cessna Citation Latitude purchase price ranges from $19.5 million to $20 million. The operating costs of both jets are compared below:
| Costings | Cessna Citation Longitude | Cessna citation Latitude |
| Operating Cost Per Hour | $2,874 | $2,936 |
| Operating Cost Per Nautical Mile | $5.23 | $6.80 |
Is the Cessna Citation Longitude Worth Purchasing?
In the end, if you also think about whether the Cessna Citation Longitude is worth buying or not then I would yes if you travel a long-range rather than a short one. It offers quiet cabins, advanced technology, and fuel efficiency, making it great for long trips. Before buying a Cessna citation longitude, you should know the costings after the purchase for example: maintenance, crew salary, etc.