Cessna Citation Longitude
Cessna Citation Longitude (Textron Aviation photo)
Earlier this week Textron Aircraft announced that its new flagship, the Cessna Citation Longitude, had received certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This important milestone paves the way for first customer deliveries this year.
Along the way the aircraft completed nearly 6,000 hours of flight testing and a nearly 36,000 mile world sales tour that included a stop at CBAA 2019 in Calgary, where we caught up with the new jet.
Inside the Cessna Citation Longitude (ELEVATE photo)
The Citation line has a come a long way in the last decade as Textron Aviation broadens it product line to offer business aircraft with larger cabins and longer range. Longitude is their first super-midsize jet.
The Longitude is an evolution from the smaller Citation Latitude that was first delivered in 2015. Like the Latitude, the Longitude has a 6 foot high ceiling and a flat floor. The demo aircraft we toured was configured in a standard 8 seat arrangement in two double club seating areas. There is an option for an aft divan and a side-facing seat opposite the forward entry door to increase total seating to 10. A cabin management system enables passengers to control everything from audio and video programs, to cabin temperature, even dimming the windows, directly from a computer tablet. A walk-in baggage compartment enables passengers to access their larger belongings during the flight.
This is Textron’s longest-range business aircraft to date, capable of traveling nonstop over 4,000 miles with 4 passengers (3,500 nautical miles). Double that to 8 passengers and you still get just over 3,900 miles (3,400 nautical miles). This makes the Longitude an aircraft with trans-continental range, with the capability to reach western Europe from the east coast of North America.
The Cessna Citation Longitude will compete primarily with Bombardier’s Challenger 350 and Embraer Praetor 600 (the upgraded Legacy 500). With The Longitude’s operating costs touted to be lower than its competitors, Textron has geared up for what it calls a revolution in the midsize market segment.