Editors' Picks -- 3 months ago
How Cessna’s Citation business jets became the thoroughbreds of the sky
One in every three business jets in the world is a Cessna Citation. Here’s why the brand has been flying high for over half a century…
Eighty years ago, in the summer of 1945, a stallion was born. But this wasn’t just any horse, it was the horse. A monument to speed and grace, this thoroughbred would go on to claim the title of Horse of the Year and become one of the rare few to win the American Triple Crown, sweeping the Belmont Stakes, Preakness Stakes, and the Kentucky Derby. His name was Citation, and he was the first horse in history to earn over $1 million in prize money.
It’s quite the legacy. Yet Citation’s most lasting mark wasn’t left on the turf or track, but in the skies. For, in 1968, American aviation icons Cessna unveiled a prototype for the modern age: the Fanjet 500. It was something of a thoroughbred itself: a sleek, ambitious model promising to change the face of aviation. Smaller. Simpler. Sharper.
It was a bold move. Suddenly, owners could have a hand in flying their own private business jets, without the need for years of technical experience or expansive commercial runways. The game had been forever changed. So, when it came time to name this new aircraft of convenience and class, marketing visionary Jim Taylor had but a sole suggestion: Citation.
In the five decades since the Citation nameplate first took flight, Cessna’s jet line has redefined business travel worldwide. More than 8,000 Citation jets have been delivered, including the mid-90s, Mach 0.92 Citation X, which claimed the title of fastest business jet in the world, a crown it held for nearly a quarter-century.
There was also the Citation Mustang, which leaned into the equine naming tradition and, in 2006, became the first business jet to feature Garmin’s revolutionary avionics suite, a software-driven system praised for its intuitive interface, intelligent integration, and highly effective presentation of critical flight information.
Each model in the thoroughbred Citation lineage also shares certain unmistakable design cues, such as muscular fuselage contours and rear-mounted turbofans.
"Cessna’s jet line has redefined business travel worldwide"
The newer jets continue this pedigree. The Citation Latitude retains its sleek silhouette while demonstrating exceptional performance on both long and short runways, proving the strength of its design at challenging destinations such as Cannes or London City, and giving it a distinct edge over its competitors. Meanwhile, the Citation Longitude elevates the range’s aesthetic with a swept-wing design and contoured T-tail.
And the stats back up this style. The current Citation range cruises at just over 500 mph, with a range of around 4,000 miles, putting Dubai, D.C. and Delhi comfortably on the same day’s itinerary. In fact, a Citation takes off or lands somewhere in the world every 35 seconds. That’s not just visibility, it’s supremacy.
It also means a Citation owner never misses their meeting. The Longitude (certified in 2019) is a business jet that offers the quietest cabin its class, turning high-altitude travel into a sanctuary of focus and discretion. There’s no more secure boardroom than one surrounded by 45,000 feet of sky. And, when connection matters, intuitive onboard technology ensures you’re never out of reach.
Inside, the fabrics and textiles are eco-certified; the woods responsibly sourced. These jets are even built sustainably, at a Kansas factory powered by the winds of the prairies. This ethos is characteristic of Textron Aviation, which acquired the Cessna Citation brand in 2014 and holds 181 active aviation patents. The company’s vision stretches far beyond the runway, a belief in going further, flying smarter, and travelling in impeccably tailored style. And just like the thoroughbred that inspired their name, Citation business jets continues to routinely surpass the competition.
