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20/Twenty: Cessna’s Best-Selling Citation Latitude

citation latitude

The Cessna Citation Latitude closed a range gap between the Citation XLS+ light jet and midsize Citation Sovereign.

Credit: Nigel Prevett/Aviation Week Network

Textron Aviation announced the delivery of its 400th Citation Latitude in August with the reminder that it has been “the world’s most-delivered midsize jet” for eight consecutive years since it entered service.

Unveiled at the 2011 NBAA convention and certified by the FAA in June 2015, the Model 680A Citation Latitude closed a range gap between the Citation XLS+ light jet, with a maximum range of 2,100 nm (2,417 mi.) and midsize Citation Sovereign (3,200 nm).

Powered by 5,907-lb.-thrust Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306D1 turbofans and featuring a Garmin G5000 avionics suite, the Latitude carries up to nine passengers, flying four passengers to a maximum range of 2,700 nm. Its maximum cruise speed is 446 KTAS (knots true airspeed).

The Citation Latitude’s maximum takeoff weight is 30,800 lb., with useful load (pilots, passengers, baggage, usable fuel, drainable oil) of 12,394 lb. Takeoff field length is 3,580 ft., and landing distance is 2,480 ft., according to Textron Aviation.

“The Citation Latitude has been the best-selling midsize business jet for many years because it offers a large, comfortable cabin with a flat floor, economical operating costs, advanced avionics that improve safety, excellent cabin technology and connectivity and exceptional range, [all] backed by Textron’s maintenance and support network,” said Shawn Holstein, co-founder and president of Carmel, Indiana-based Holstein Aviation.

There were five pre-owned Citation Latitudes on the market as of late summer, representing 1.3% of the fleet—low compared to the rest of the pre-owned market, where inventory for in-production models was hovering around 7%, said Holstein, an International Aircraft Dealers Association-certified aircraft broker.

Another indicator of the health of the market is absorption rate: a measure of the time it takes to absorb the current number of aircraft for sale at the current rate of demand. The absorption rate for the Citation Latitude was about 3.8 months, again low relative to the rest of the market, Holstein said.

There were 392 Model 680A Latitudes operating in August, of which 314 were based in North America, according to the Aviation Week Fleet Discovery database. Three aircraft were stored or in the possession of a third party.

The factory-new, average-equipped price of a Latitude in 2015 was $16,250,000, and its current average retail value is $14.5 million, according to the Aircraft Bluebook. The 2024 factory-new, average-equipped price of a Latitude is $19,775,000.

Make An Offer

The Latitude’s Garmin G5000 flight deck features three large screen LCD displays and four touchscreen controllers. Credit: Textron Aviation

Most of the pre-owned Latitudes on the market were listed at “Make Offer,” with selling prices typically falling in the $14 million-$20 million range, depending on their vintage, total time, condition, maintenance status and other factors, Holstein said. Midsize jets that compete for sales against the Latitude include the Cessna Citation Sovereign and Citation X series, the Gulfstream G150, the Hawker 700/800/900 series and the Lear 60, he said.

Cessna’s 3,500-nm-range, Honeywell-powered Citation Longitude, which entered service in 2019, shares the same cross-section as the Latitude, but has a nearly 11-ft.-longer fuselage affording 3 ft. 3 in. more cabin length. The Longitude’s maximum takeoff weight is 39,500 lb., 8,700 lb. more than the Latitude, with 3,706 lb. more useful load.

“At the price point of a Citation Latitude, it also opens up a discussion regarding potential super-midsize and large-cabin jet pre-owned options that could be purchased for a similar price point as well,” Holstein said. “The larger aircraft are typically going to be higher time and older vintage but the buyer’s preferences in terms of cabin size, range/performance capabilities and budget requirements will ultimately determine which direction makes the most sense for them.”

Direct operating costs will vary depending on the vintage of the aircraft and other factors. “Generally speaking, assuming average utilization, the direct operating costs including fuel, airframe parts and labor, engine reserves and [auxiliary power unit] reserves will typically be in the $3,000-$4000-per hour range,” Holstein said.

A Stand-Up Cabin

Textron Aviation delivered the 400th Latitude to long-time customer Simmons Foods, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, in August. Credit: Textron Aviation

Citation Latitudes have a flat floor and stand-up cabin measuring 21 ft. 9 in. long, 6 ft. 5 in. wide and 6 ft. high. The baggage compartment volume is 127 cu. ft. with capacity for 1,245 lb.

The standard cabin configuration seats nine passengers, with two aft-facing and four forward-facing individual seats, a right-hand forward, two-place couch and a single, side-facing seat opposite the lavatory aft. An alternate, eight-passenger configuration that can be selected offers a right-hand forward refreshment center and side-facing single seat and a lefthand forward closet.

“The cabin truly is comfortable and quiet on long trips, and passengers can stay connected via the technology in the aircraft,” Holstein said. “The range/legs of this aircraft match the cabin size very well on longer missions, resulting in a travel experience that is top-notch when passengers arrive with minimal fatigue.”

Textron Aviation shipped 41 Citation Latitudes in 2023, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. The manufacturer announced on Aug. 13 this year that it had delivered the 400th Latitude to long-time customer Simmons Foods, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, complementing the company’s fleet of three other Citation jets.

BCA welcomes comment and insight from aircraft dealers and brokers for its monthly 20/Twenty pre-owned aircraft market feature. The focus aircraft for December 2024 is the Daher Kodiak 100. To participate, contact [email protected].

Bill Carey

Bill covers business aviation and advanced air mobility for Aviation Week Network. A former newspaper reporter, he has also covered the airline industry, military aviation, commercial space and uncrewed aircraft systems. He is the author of 'Enter The Drones, The FAA and UAVs in America,' published in 2016.