Cessna Citation Ultra

The Cessna Citation Ultra is the second version of the Cessna 560 and took over from the Citation V. It kept the 5.28 m cabin but received stronger Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5D engines and a full Honeywell Primus 1000 glass cockpit for both pilots, which makes it about 60 km/h faster than its predecessor. Inside are seven or eight seats and an enclosed toilet at the rear.

Two layouts in a 5.28 m cabin

The Citation Ultra cabin is 5.28 m long, 1.45 m high and 1.47 m wide, long enough for two layouts; the quote says which one the aircraft has.

Seats slide and recline, with fold-out tables between them. The toilet at the rear is a separate room with a door, and on some aircraft its seat has a belt for take-off and landing. Two to four people have plenty of space, each with an empty seat for a bag.

• No galley: drinks from the cabinet, catering ordered as cold dishes
• Wi-Fi and screens depend on how far the cabin has been refitted

Luggage space and weight

The nose and tail holds of the Citation Ultra are loaded from the apron and cannot be reached in flight; the volumes are typical figures and can differ slightly between aircraft. Four people can take large suitcases, six a medium case and a soft bag each. Skis and golf bags usually fit, so give their number and length before the quote.

On the Citation Ultra pets travel in the cabin beside the owner if the operator agrees before booking. Inside the EU a dog or cat needs a microchip, an EU pet passport and a rabies vaccination (the first one at least 21 days before travel); dogs bound for Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway or the UK also need tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before entry.

Speed, range and airports

Each engine gives 3,045 lb of thrust. With four passengers and NBAA IFR reserves the Citation Ultra covers 2,822 km; with every seat taken and economy cruise about 2,332 km, which is why the longest rows in the table stay under 1,800 km. The European type certificate requires two pilots.

What matters in Europe

Flights and prices from European hubs

The table lists thirty one-way flights from all thirteen hubs, from Nice - Olbia (0:59 h) to Zurich - Mykonos (2:53 h), each without a fuel stop. Prices are for the whole aircraft with crew, before airport fees and passenger taxes.

Up to two hours: the Alps, the Riviera and the islands

Two to four hours: Spain, Portugal and Greece

• Up to about two and a half hours, such as London - Olbia or Frankfurt - Ibiza, the Citation Ultra flies with a full cabin.
• Geneva - Athens, Milan - Lisbon and Zurich - Mykonos suit four or five passengers; with six or more, bags and a headwind the operator may plan a fuel stop.
• At Mykonos private aircraft get about 40 minutes on the stand in summer, so the jet waits elsewhere.
• Malaga from northern Europe and the Canary Islands need a stop or a midsize jet such as the Cessna Citation XLS.

The calculator gives an indicative price for this aircraft or another light jet on your route.

Citation Ultra charter costs

The rate begins at EUR 3,200 per flight hour for the aircraft, two pilots and fuel. A one-hour Citation Ultra hop costs more than that: Nice - Olbia takes 0:59 h and starts at EUR 8,000, because positioning, the minimum charge and handling are paid on every departure.

Over longer distances the hourly rate decides: Paris - Ibiza (2:01 h) starts at EUR 11,000 and Nice - Lisbon (2:29 h) at EUR 12,500. Seven or eight passengers share the same total, so the per-person price falls with each seat taken.

Paris Le Bourget - Ibiza for the whole aircraft and per passenger:

Paying less for the trip

Fill the cabin: with seven people each pays a seventh of the aircraft price. Return the same day on short routes such as Munich - Sion to avoid a crew night, and give the operator a time window so an aircraft already nearby can fly. A Citation Encore or V, also at EUR 3,200 per hour, may be based closer than the nearest Citation Ultra.

Empty Legs on the Ultra

With few aircraft in European charter, Empty Legs on the Citation Ultra are rare. Those that appear are mostly returns from Nice, Palma or Olbia in summer and from Geneva in winter, at 30-60% below a normal charter as a guide.

Encore, Bravo or CJ3

Clients considering the Citation Ultra most often compare it with its successor with the same cabin, the shorter Bravo and the newer CJ3.

Requesting a quote

Give us the route, date and departure time, the number of passengers and the baggage, with skis, golf bags and pets listed separately. We check operators holding an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and always try to offer a second aircraft with a similar cabin, but each case depends on the operator's contract.

Inside Schengen there is no passport control, yet the operator needs passport or ID details of each passenger; EU citizens flying to the UK need an ETA.

Questions about the Citation Ultra

• • How much does a Citation Ultra cost to charter?

  • From EUR 3,200 per flight hour for the whole aircraft, whatever the number of passengers. Munich - Barcelona costs from EUR 11,000, London Farnborough - Palma from EUR 12,000 and Geneva - Athens from EUR 13,500 one way, before airport fees and passenger taxes.

• • Why is a short flight relatively expensive?

  • Positioning, the operator's minimum charge and handling are paid on any departure. Munich - Sion (1:03 h) starts at EUR 8,000, while Nice - Lisbon (2:29 h) costs from EUR 12,500, far less per hour.

• • How can I reduce the price?

  • Fill more seats, return the same day on short routes and accept an Encore or Citation V based closer, since all three have the same hourly rate.

• • Are Empty Legs available?

  • Rarely on this type. A matching leg can be 30-60% cheaper, but the date and route are fixed and the operator can cancel it.

• • How many passengers does the Citation Ultra take?

  • Seven in the usual layout, eight in aircraft with two club groups. On the longest legs five or six is better, leaving weight for fuel and baggage.

• • Is there a toilet on board?

  • Yes, at the rear in a separate room with a door. On some aircraft the seat has a belt and is used for take-off and landing when every seat is taken.

• • How far does it fly without stopping?

  • 2,822 km with four people and about 2,332 km with a full cabin. Nice - Lisbon is flown non-stop with everyone on board, Zurich - Mykonos with a smaller group, while the Canary Islands need a stop.

• • Will skis and golf bags fit?

  • Usually, in the nose and tail holds, but with six people and suitcases little space remains. Tell us the number and length, and the operator confirms it for the specific aircraft.

• • Can I bring my dog?

  • Usually yes, in the cabin, if the operator of the aircraft agrees. For the UK the dog must arrive via an approved route at an airport that accepts animals.