What is Citation Sovereign Jet?
The Citation Sovereign is a midsize business jet built by Cessna, now part of Textron Aviation. It belongs to the Citation family and was developed from the Citation Excel.
The design goal was clear: a comfortable midsize cabin, good runway performance and range close to coast to coast. The Sovereign suits groups of up to nine who want to fly farther than a light jet allows, without moving up to a large-cabin aircraft.
History and Development of Citation Sovereign Jet
Cessna announced the Model 680 at the 1998 NBAA convention. The first flight was in February 2002. The FAA certified the Sovereign on June 2, 2004, and deliveries began in late September 2004. EASA certification followed on March 31, 2005.
Cessna announced the improved Sovereign+ at the October 2012 NBAA convention. It first flew in April 2013 and deliveries began on December 23, 2013. The update added winglets, new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306D engines with autothrottles, and a Garmin G5000 flight deck.
In March 2021, Cessna ended Sovereign+ production to reduce overlap with the newer Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude. In total, 349 Sovereigns and 94 Sovereign+ jets were built.
Design and Specifications of Citation Sovereign Jet
The Sovereign starts with the fuselage of the Citation Excel, stretched for a cabin 6.6 feet longer. Cessna paired it with a new, larger wing with big trailing-edge flaps for short-runway performance. The original Sovereign uses two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C turbofans.
Published figures from Cessna:
- Seating capacity: up to 9 passengers
- Maximum range (Sovereign): 2,847 nautical miles
- Maximum cruise speed (Sovereign): 458 knots
- Maximum payload (Sovereign): 2,670 lb
- Maximum range (Sovereign+): 3,000 nautical miles
- Maximum altitude (Sovereign+): 45,000 feet
Other published dimensions include a length of 63 ft 6 in, a wingspan of 72 ft 4 in and a height of 20 ft 4 in.
Cabin and Interiors of Citation Sovereign Jet
Cabin Features:
The cabin is pressurized to a 7,200-foot cabin altitude. Inside, it measures 68 inches high and 66 inches wide.
Interior Design:
The typical layout is a double-club arrangement for eight, with a side-facing seat. Interiors vary between aircraft, so ask the operator for the floor plan of the specific jet before you fly.
Performance and Range of Citation Sovereign Jet
The Sovereign cruises at about 458 knots and has a maximum speed of Mach 0.80. With up to 3,000 nautical miles of range on the Sovereign+, it covers many US transcontinental trips nonstop, depending on load and winds.
Range is always a planning figure, not a promise. Passengers, bags, weather, winds and the route all change what the aircraft can fly nonstop on the day. For longer trips, ask the operator to confirm the route with your actual group and luggage.
Cockpit and Avionics of Citation Sovereign Jet
The original Sovereign uses a Honeywell Primus Epic glass cockpit with four LCD screens. The Sovereign+ replaced it with the Garmin G5000 flight deck and added autothrottles. If avionics matter to you, ask which version the operator is offering.
Benefits of Citation Sovereign Jet
- Range for its size. Close to transcontinental range in a midsize cabin.
- Short-runway ability. The large wing and flaps were designed for good runway performance, which opens up smaller airports.
- Room for the group. Seating for up to nine in a midsize cabin 68 inches high.
Conclusion: Citation Sovereign Jet – Is it right for you?
The Citation Sovereign fits trips with up to nine passengers that need more range than a light jet. If your group is larger, or you want room to stand and move around on a long flight, a large-cabin jet may suit you better.
BLADE arranges private jet charters. All US flights are operated by FAA-licensed carriers, and BLADE books the aircraft for you. Tell BLADE your route, date and group size, and compare the midsize jets available for your trip. Prices and availability depend on the route, the date and the aircraft.