Features
Aircraft manufacturers
Business Aviation
Textron names flyExclusive fleet launch customer for Citation CJ3 Gen2
October 17, 2023 By Wings Staff
The Citation CJ3 Gen2 will offer standard seating for nine passengers with its commercial release set for 2025. (Image: Cessna) Textron Aviation named flyExclusive as the fleet launch customer for the newly introduced Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 for the light jet market. The news came during the company’s press conference at the National Business Aviation Association event in Las Vegas. The Citation CJ3 Gen2, which was also introduced earlier the same day at NBAA, is expected to enter into service in 2025.
“The CJ3 Gen2 is the ideal aircraft to enhance flyExclusive’s existing fleet, offering both passengers and pilots an elevated experience,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Global Sales and Flight Operations. “With its proven performance, leading-edge technology, and unmatched cabin amenities, this aircraft reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence in aviation.”
In 2022, flyExclusive, described as a premium private jet charter operator, announced a large-scale fleet modernization program that included an order of up to 44 new Textron Aviation aircraft, including up to 30 CJ3+ light aircraft. flyExclusive operates a fleet of Cessna Citation jets including Citation X, Citation Sovereign, Citation Excel/ XLS, Citation CJ3 /CJ3+ and Citation Encore / Encore+ aircraft models.
“flyExclusive customers expect the best, and we believe the best planes money can buy are built and serviced by Textron Aviation,” said Jim Segrave, Founder, Chairman and CEO of flyExclsuive said. “We take pride in being the fleet launch customer for the Citation CJ3 Gen 2, building on our decades-long relationship with Textron Aviation. I am excited that our fractional customers will get to invest and travel in the top light jet in the world.”
The cockpit of the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 will hold 4.5 inches of extra legroom for the pilot and a Garmin G3000 avionics system with autothrottle technology and connectivity for reduced workload and heightened situational awareness, as well as an optional Enhanced Vision System (EVS).
The Citation CJ3 Gen2 will offer standard seating for nine passengers, with an option for eight passengers with additional storage. The new generation jet is also expected to hold a maximum range of 2,040 nm and a maximum payload of 2,135 pounds.
