Embraer Phenom 300E vs Cessna Citation CJ3+
The Matchup
The Phenom 300E is the world's best-selling light jet — the speed and performance leader. The CJ3+ is the pragmatic owner-pilot's jet — designed for simplicity, efficiency, and the lowest-cost jet ownership possible. If you're a first-time jet buyer or an owner-operator weighing these two, the choice comes down to whether you need the Phenom's speed and cabin advantage enough to justify the price premium.
Head to Head
| Embraer Phenom 300E | Spec | Cessna Citation CJ3+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2,010 NM at Mach 0.75 | Range | ★2,040 NM at Mach 0.67 |
30 NM more range — at a significantly slower cruise speed. The CJ3+ achieves its range by flying slower and burning less fuel. In real-world operations with equivalent cruise speeds, the Phenom 300E actually covers more ground per hour. | ||
| Mach 0.80★ | Max Speed | Mach 0.72 |
Significantly faster. On a 1,500 NM flight, the Phenom arrives 20–30 minutes sooner. Over 200+ flights per year, that's 75–100 hours of your life saved. | ||
| 5 ft 1 in★ | Cabin Width | 4 ft 10 in |
Three inches wider. In a light jet, this translates to noticeably more comfortable seating. | ||
| 17 ft 2 in★ | Cabin Length | 15 ft 8 in |
Eighteen inches longer. The Phenom accommodates more passengers more comfortably. | ||
| 4 ft 11 in★ | Cabin Height | 4 ft 8 in |
Three inches taller. Minor, but it reduces the "crouching" feeling in a light jet cabin. | ||
| 7–10★ | Passengers | 6–9 |
| 45,000 ft | Ceiling | 45,000 ft |
| 3,209 ft | Takeoff Distance | 3,180 ft |
| 2,621 ft★ | Landing Distance | 2,770 ft |
| 2× Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E1 (3,478 lbs each)★ | Engines | 2× Williams FJ44-3A (2,820 lbs each) |
More thrust, more capability. The CJ3+'s Williams engines are efficient and reliable but have less power. | ||
| $11M–$14.35M asking (September 2026) | 2026 Acquisition Market Reference | $5.93M–$10.29M Vref (July 2026) |
Market research reviewed October 8, 2026: Embraer Phenom 300E: $11M–$14.35M asking (September 2026); Cessna Citation CJ3+: $5.93M–$10.29M Vref (July 2026). These retain their different source dates and measurement bases. Public asking examples, model-wide valuations and production positions are not interchangeable achieved sale prices. Sources: https://thejetagent.com/market-report/embraer-phenom-300e-market-update-september-2026/ | https://www.duncanaviation.aero/files/aircraft-sales/Business-Jet-Model-Market-Summary-Metric.pdf | ||
30 NM more range — at a significantly slower cruise speed. The CJ3+ achieves its range by flying slower and burning less fuel. In real-world operations with equivalent cruise speeds, the Phenom 300E actually covers more ground per hour.
Significantly faster. On a 1,500 NM flight, the Phenom arrives 20–30 minutes sooner. Over 200+ flights per year, that's 75–100 hours of your life saved.
Three inches wider. In a light jet, this translates to noticeably more comfortable seating.
Eighteen inches longer. The Phenom accommodates more passengers more comfortably.
Three inches taller. Minor, but it reduces the "crouching" feeling in a light jet cabin.
More thrust, more capability. The CJ3+'s Williams engines are efficient and reliable but have less power.
Market research reviewed October 8, 2026: Embraer Phenom 300E: $11M–$14.35M asking (September 2026); Cessna Citation CJ3+: $5.93M–$10.29M Vref (July 2026). These retain their different source dates and measurement bases. Public asking examples, model-wide valuations and production positions are not interchangeable achieved sale prices. Sources: https://thejetagent.com/market-report/embraer-phenom-300e-market-update-september-2026/ | https://www.duncanaviation.aero/files/aircraft-sales/Business-Jet-Model-Market-Summary-Metric.pdf
Cost Comparison
Market research reviewed October 8, 2026: Embraer Phenom 300E: $11M–$14.35M asking (September 2026); Cessna Citation CJ3+: $5.93M–$10.29M Vref (July 2026). These retain their different source dates and measurement bases. Public asking examples, model-wide valuations and production positions are not interchangeable achieved sale prices. Sources: https://thejetagent.com/market-report/embraer-phenom-300e-market-update-september-2026/ | https://www.duncanaviation.aero/files/aircraft-sales/Business-Jet-Model-Market-Summary-Metric.pdf Operating-cost figures remain historical planning estimates. Compare both aircraft using the same annual hours, fuel price, crew basis, reserves and exclusions.
Model these costs with your own hours, fuel price, and crew.
Open Cost Comparison Tool →Which One Wins?
Phenom 300E
Mach 0.80 vs Mach 0.72. The Phenom is dramatically faster. If time is money, the Phenom saves a lot of it.
CJ3+
$630K–$750K per year at 300 hours. That's turboprop territory for a jet. If keeping costs down is your primary goal, the CJ3+ is the most affordable jet aircraft you can own.
Phenom 300E
Wider, longer, taller. The Phenom's cabin is the more comfortable space, especially with more than 4 passengers.
CJ3+
The CJ3+ was designed specifically for owner-pilots. The Garmin G3000 avionics are intuitive, the handling is forgiving, and the transition from turboprop to jet is natural. It's the quintessential first-time jet.
Phenom 300E
The world's best-selling light jet with strong brand recognition and passenger demand. If you plan to generate charter revenue, the Phenom commands better rates.
The Final Take
The Phenom 300E is the better aircraft. It's faster, has a wider cabin, and holds value better. If performance and comfort are your priorities — and you can absorb the higher operating costs — the Phenom is the clear choice. But the CJ3+ makes the smarter financial case for many owner-operators. At $270K–$350K less per year to operate, the CJ3+ puts jet ownership within reach of buyers who might otherwise stick with a turboprop. It won't set speed records, but it gets you there in a real jet at costs that are genuinely manageable. The practical advice: if you fly for business and value your time, buy the Phenom 300E — the speed advantage pays for itself. If you fly for a mix of business and pleasure and cost matters most, the CJ3+ delivers jet ownership at the lowest practical price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
As an aircraft — yes, faster and roomier. As a financial proposition for cost-conscious owners — the CJ3+ often makes more sense.
If speed and cabin matter, the Phenom 300E. If lowest-cost ownership is the priority, the CJ3+.
Mach 0.80 vs Mach 0.72 — roughly 8% faster. On a 1,500 NM trip, the Phenom arrives 20–30 minutes sooner.
Market research reviewed October 8, 2026: Embraer Phenom 300E: $11M–$14.35M asking (September 2026); Cessna Citation CJ3+: $5.93M–$10.29M Vref (July 2026). These retain their different source dates and measurement bases. Public asking examples, model-wide valuations and production positions are not interchangeable achieved sale prices. The sample does not establish a fixed premium or faster resale for every aircraft.
One of the best. It's specifically designed for owner-pilots transitioning from turboprops, with intuitive avionics and forgiving handling.
Market research reviewed October 8, 2026: Embraer Phenom 300E: $11M–$14.35M asking (September 2026); Cessna Citation CJ3+: $5.93M–$10.29M Vref (July 2026). These retain their different source dates and measurement bases. Public asking examples, model-wide valuations and production positions are not interchangeable achieved sale prices. The sample does not establish a fixed premium or faster resale for every aircraft.
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Let's TalkLast updated: 2026-10-08