Midsize Jet
Cessna Citation Sovereign
Range
2,847 NM
Cruise speed
445 kts
Seats
9
History
When it was introduced, the Sovereign was the largest Cessna business jet after the Citation X. It first flew in February 2002, was certified on 2 June 2004, and the first aircraft went to customers in late September 2004. At that point Cessna said the range was about 100 nm better than its sales brochure had promised, and it already held 100 orders for the aircraft, which seats up to 12.
For many years the Sovereign was regarded as one of the leading midsize jets. With a range of more than 5,000 km, it brought longer business trips within reach without an intermediate stop. Its size and reliability have also made it a common choice as an air ambulance.
The Sovereign+ followed in 2013, adding winglets, updated Pratt & Whitney engines and Garmin's G5000 flight deck. Cessna confirmed in March 2021 that Sovereign+ production would stop, citing overlap with the Citation Latitude and Longitude, which offer similar performance and arrived later. Across roughly 17 years, Cessna built 349 Sovereigns and 94 Sovereign+ jets.
Technical Specifications
General information
| Model name | Citation Sovereign |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Cessna |
| Aircraft category | midsize jet |
| ICAO Designator | C680 |
| Start/End of Production | 2004 - 2013 |
| Number of pilot(s) | 2 |
Performances
| Range (with IFR reserves) | 2847 NM (5273 km) |
|---|---|
| Ferry range | 3463 NM (6413 km) |
| Cruise speed | 445 kts (824 km/h) |
| Max Operating Speed – VMO | 305 KIAS |
| Max Mach Operating Speed - MMO | Mach 0.8 |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed - LRC | 375 KTAS |
| Approach Speed | 104 kts |
| Takeoff Distance | 1109 m |
| Average Landing Distance | 808 m |
| Service Ceiling | 47000 ft |
| Thrust | 5600 lbf |
Aircraft technology
| Engine type | Turbofan |
|---|---|
| Engine(s) | 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C |
| Avionics | Honeywell Primus Epic |
Dimensions and capacity
| Aircraft length | 19.4 m |
|---|---|
| Aircraft height | 6.2 m |
| Wing span | 19.3 m |
| Cabin height | 1.73 m (5.67 ft) |
| Cabin length | 7.7 m (25.25 ft) |
| Cabin width | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Baggage volume | 3.82 m3 |
| Seats (standard config) | 9 |
| Seats (max) | 12 |
| Suitcases | 8 |
| Carry-on luggage | 9 |
| Maximum payload | 1100 kg |
| Maximum TakeOff Weight - MTOW | 13744 kg |
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Reach and runway access: The Sovereign covers 2,847 nm with IFR reserves, and its short-field performance lets you land at smaller airports closer to where you are going. Its extra-large baggage hold takes additional and bulky items.
- Good value: Because the type is widespread and no longer built, the Sovereign is often more economical to charter than the Citation Latitude or Longitude, which are still in production. The final rate depends on the year of the aircraft and demand at the time.
- Flexible capacity: With up to 12 seats, the cabin can take a larger group or give up seats to carry more luggage. In an eight-seat executive layout, passengers have the space of a comfortable lounge on longer flights.
- Cabin comfort: A well-equipped Sovereign offers precise control of cabin temperature, a spacious washroom and a modern fresh air system. Passengers arrive less tired, even after several hours in the air.
- Dependability: Cessna's worldwide service network supports older aircraft as well as new ones, and pilots rate the Sovereign highly for its reliability.
Disadvantages
- Running costs: The Sovereign is more expensive to operate and maintain than smaller or newer jets. The Citation Latitude's PW306D1 engine is more efficient, and lighter aircraft such as the Learjet 60 burn less fuel over the same distance.
- Out of production: Cessna stopped building the line in 2021. If the newest comfort and safety features matter most to you, the Citation Latitude and Longitude are the current midsize alternatives.
FAQ
How far can the Citation Sovereign and Sovereign+ fly?
The Sovereign has a range of 2,847 nm (5,273 km) with IFR reserves, and the Sovereign+ extends that to about 3,200 nm (5,926 km). In practice the Sovereign handles New York to Los Angeles or London to Istanbul, while the Sovereign+ can fly Paris to Dubai without refuelling. Our advisors match the version to the length of your longest leg.
Can the Sovereign use short runways and smaller airports?
Yes. For a midsize jet it performs strongly on short runways and can use airports that many similar aircraft cannot. Its listed takeoff distance is 1,109 m. In March 2017 the Sovereign+ also gained FAA and EASA approval for steep approaches at angles as great as 6.65 degrees, which opens airports with demanding profiles such as London City.
What changed with the Sovereign+?
Cessna's 2013 update brought winglets, a new generation of Pratt & Whitney engines and the Garmin G5000 suite in the cockpit. The upgrade lifted range and climb performance, while the cabin layout stayed much the same. Either version seats 9 to 12 passengers, and the Sovereign+ adds better efficiency and more modern technology.
Is the Sovereign related to the Citation X?
The two share essentially the same cabin, but Cessna gave the Sovereign a redesigned wing to make it better suited to short landings. The trade is speed: the Citation X earned a reputation as the fastest business jet, while the Sovereign cruises more slowly at 445 knots. Choose the Sovereign when runway length at your destination is the deciding factor.
How does the Sovereign compare with the Challenger 300 and Challenger 350?
The Challenger 300 seats up to nine in a wider cabin and flies around 3,100 nm. Its successor, the Challenger 350, has updated avionics, a refined cabin and about 3,200 nm of range, with one of the widest cabins among super midsize jets. The Sovereign is slightly smaller but uses shorter runways, and both the 350 and the Sovereign+ are approved for London City.
What does a Citation Sovereign charter cost?
Every trip is priced on its own details. The main factors are your route and dates, where the nearest suitable aircraft is based and which operator flies it. A Hesper Jets advisor prices each request individually, so share your plans and we will come back with a figure.
Gallery
Figures are published manufacturer data, shown for illustration only. Images are generated for this concept and show the Citation Sovereign type, not a specific aircraft. Cessna and Citation Sovereign are trademarks of their owner, used only to identify the aircraft.