Cessna Citation CJ4: The Complete Buyer's Guide
The Short Version
The Cessna Citation CJ4 is the largest and most capable CJ family member — a light jet flying 2,165 NM at Mach 0.77 with single-pilot certification. Pre-owned examples trade between $5M and $9M. New list price ~$10M.
At a Glance
Operational Reach
What Makes the Citation CJ4 Different
1. Best range in the CJ family
At 2,165 NM, covers US coast-to-coast, most European routes, and Dubai regional destinations without refueling.
2. Single-pilot certified with excellent avionics
Collins Pro Line 21 avionics are highly regarded. Single-pilot operations save $150K–$200K annually in crew costs.
3. Cessna’s deepest service network
No manufacturer has more service centers than Textron Aviation. Parts and MRO access are exceptional.
Who Is This Aircraft For?
- ●Owner-operators wanting the most capable single-pilot light jet.
- ●Small to midsize businesses needing efficient regional transportation for 2–6 passengers.
- ●Flight departments transitioning from turboprops to jets.
- ●Charter operators in regional markets.
When It's Not the Right Fit
- ●The 4’10” wide cabin is a light jet cabin — no standing headroom. The Phenom 300E is wider and faster. For 6+ passengers or flights over 3 hours, step up to the Citation Latitude.
What It Costs to Own and Operate
Acquisition (Pre-Owned)
Annual Fixed Costs
Variable Costs
The Pre-Owned Market Right Now
Market research reviewed October 8, 2026. Figures below retain their source dates and measurement basis.
Dated market benchmark, reviewed October 8, 2026: Duncan Aviation's July 2026 guide gives Citation CJ4 Vref valuations of $5.52M–$11.48M across its listed vintages. This is a model-wide valuation reference, not a reported transaction range or a current seller quote; the upper end for an in-production type can include very new aircraft.
JetsIntel's September 2026 public model list tracks 26 Citation CJ4 aircraft. This describes its market database coverage, rather than the whole operating fleet or an independently verified count of aircraft available today.
JetsIntel lists CJ4 and CJ4 Gen2 separately; its 26-aircraft CJ4 count excludes the 14 shown for Gen2. This distinction matters when comparing cabin specification and price. An early CJ4 can overlap the CJ3+ budget even though the fleet-wide upper values differ.
What to Watch For When Buying
1. Williams FJ44-4A Engine Program
TAP enrollment strongly preferred. Hot section inspections: $150K–$250K per engine.
2. Avionics Software Currency
Collins Pro Line 21 has had multiple updates. Verify latest revision.
3. CJ4 Gen2 Consideration
Textron has released updated versions. Understand which generation you’re evaluating.
4. Interior Condition
Light jet cabins see heavy contact per square foot. Refresh: $200K–$400K.
5. Landing Gear Overhaul
Overhaul costs $200K–$350K. Factor into acquisition planning.
Citation CJ4 vs. The Competition
| Aircraft | Range | Max Speed | Cabin W | Cabin L | Pax | New Price | Pre-Owned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer Phenom 300E | 2,010 NM | Mach 0.80 | 5’1” | 17’2” | 7–10 | ~$10.6M (historical) | ~$5M (historical) |
| Cessna Citation CJ3+ | 2,040 NM | Mach 0.72 | 4’10” | 15’8” | 6–9 | ~$9.1M (historical) | ~$3M (historical) |
| Pilatus PC-24 | 2,000 NM | Mach 0.74 | 5’1” | 18’0” | 8–11 | ~$11.8M (historical) | ~$8M (historical) |
Embraer Phenom 300E
Cessna Citation CJ3+
Pilatus PC-24
vs. Embraer Phenom 300E
Wider, faster, better resale. The CJ4 offers slightly more range and Cessna’s service network.
See full comparison →vs. Cessna Citation CJ3+
Step down — less range, slower, smaller. If the CJ3+ is almost enough, the CJ4 provides extra capability.
vs. Pilatus PC-24
Different mission — utility jet with cargo door and rough-field capability.
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Source a Citation CJ4 →Frequently Asked Questions
2,165 NM at Mach 0.72. Covers US coast-to-coast, London to Istanbul, Dubai to Karachi.
Reviewed October 8, 2026: $5.52M–$11.48M Vref (July 2026). This is a published model-wide valuation benchmark covering its listed vintages, rather than a completed-sale range. The market overview links the source and explains the sample.
Yes — certified and commonly operated single-pilot.
The Phenom is faster with a wider cabin. The CJ4 has more range and Cessna’s network.
Yes, though the Phenom 300E has overtaken it in charter popularity.
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Initiate Private ConsultationLast updated: 2026-10-08