United States · manufacturer
Textron Aviation
Textron Aviation was formed in 2014 after the merger of the aviation companies Cessna and Beechcraft as part of Textron. Under one corporate name, aircraft of different classes are produced; Citation refers to the heritage of the Cessna brand.
Cessna Citation
The history of Textron Aviation: the Cessna and Beechcraft heritage
Textron Aviation was formed on 14 March 2014 when Cessna and Beechcraft were brought together within Textron. Behind the relatively new name lie much longer aviation histories. The company represents Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker; its expertise covers trainers, piston aircraft, turboprops, business jets and special-mission aviation.
The Citation jet line began with the Fanjet 500 programme, announced in 1968. Following the name change, the Citation 500 prototype first flew in Wichita on 15 September 1969; deliveries began in January 1972. The compact business jet became the foundation of a family that eventually expanded from light aircraft to models with larger cabins and longer range.
Cessna Citation
Engineering philosophy: a practical aircraft for everyday travel
The Citation began with the idea of making a business jet simpler and more accessible to operate. That idea remains visible across the broad range: customers can select the size and capabilities that fit their actual routes. Some light Citations are certified for single-pilot operation, although crew requirements for a particular charter flight are determined separately.
Practicality also extends to the aircraft’s life after sale. Textron Aviation supports its own network of service centres and mobile technicians. For an owner, this is part of the product: access to maintenance and technical assistance affects the reliability of travel. The brand’s philosophy therefore combines everyday usefulness, versatility and in-service support.
Cessna Citation
From small Citations to the Latitude and Longitude
The M2 and CJ family serve small groups on relatively short routes. The Latitude emphasises a spacious, flat-floor cabin, while the Longitude belongs to the super-midsize class and offers greater long-range capability. The similar names of the latter two do not mean they share the same design.
The historic Citation X and X+ are known for their speed. Gen2, Gen3 and “+” refer to specific upgrades, so the full model designation matters. The cabin dimensions, baggage volume and equipment of an individual aircraft help establish how well it suits a typical journey.
Model catalogue
Aircraft Textron Aviation
A broad range from light jets for short trips to spacious midsize models.