The Citation 750 is a twin-engine business jet built by Cessna for corporate and charter operators

The Cessna Citation 750 is a mid-size turbofan jet aircraft designed for business travel, charter operations, and special missions. It seats up to 10 passengers in a pressurized cabin and can fly nonstop for roughly 3,000 nautical miles—far enough to cross the continental United States or reach Europe from the East Coast. The aircraft entered service in 2007 and remains in active use by flight departments, charter companies, and government agencies.

Unlike smaller single-engine or piston-powered aircraft, the Citation 750 operates under strict federal rules because of its size, speed, and the number of people it carries. Understanding how it works, what it costs to operate, and what pilots and maintenance teams must do to keep it airworthy matters if you work in aviation, manage a flight department, or need to understand why these aircraft require so much oversight.

Key Takeaways

  • The Citation 750 uses two Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines and requires two pilots holding an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate or equivalent to operate it legally.
  • The aircraft is pressurized and can climb to 43,000 feet, allowing it to fly above most weather and commercial air traffic.
  • Maintenance follows Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 135 or Part 91 rules depending on whether the aircraft is used for charter or private business flight.
  • Fuel consumption runs between 250 and 300 gallons per hour, making operating costs significantly higher than smaller business jets.
  • The cabin is heated, air-conditioned, and equipped with oxygen systems, allowing safe flight in unpressurized emergencies and at high altitude.

Engine and power systems

The Citation 750 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW535E turbofan engines, each producing approximately 3,500 pounds of thrust. Turbofan engines work by drawing air through a large front fan, compressing it, mixing it with fuel, igniting it, and expelling hot exhaust to create thrust. Unlike piston engines that rely on spark plugs and pistons, turbofans are jet engines—they run continuously and smoothly, with no reciprocating parts to wear out as quickly.

Each engine has its own fuel system, hydraulic system, and electrical generator. If one engine fails, the other can keep the aircraft flying, though at reduced speed and altitude. Pilots train extensively on single-engine procedures because losing an engine at low altitude or during takeoff is a serious emergency. The engines are monitored constantly during flight by instruments in the cockpit that display fuel flow, engine temperature, oil pressure, and vibration levels.

The aircraft carries fuel in wing tanks and a center tank, holding a total of roughly 5,400 pounds (about 800 gallons). At cruise power, the Citation 750 burns between 250 and 300 gallons per hour, meaning a full fuel load supports roughly 2.5 to 3 hours of flight at cruise power. Pilots must plan fuel reserves for alternate airports, holding patterns, and emergencies—federal rules require specific fuel reserves depending on weather and distance.

Pressurization, cabin systems, and safety equipment

The Citation 750 cabin is pressurized, meaning air is pumped in and sealed to maintain a breathable atmosphere even at high altitude. The fuselage is built to withstand the pressure difference between inside and outside—at 43,000 feet, the outside air pressure is so low that humans lose consciousness within minutes without supplemental oxygen. The cabin is typically pressurized to the equivalent of 8,000 feet altitude, so passengers experience mild ear pressure but can breathe normally.

The pressurization system draws air from the engines' compressor stages, cools it, and routes it through the cabin. If pressurization fails, the aircraft must descend when ready to an altitude where the outside air is breathable—typically below 10,000 feet. Pilots carry portable oxygen bottles and wear oxygen masks in case of pressurization loss, and the aircraft is equipped with emergency oxygen masks that deploy automatically if cabin pressure drops suddenly.

The cabin is heated by bleed air from the engines and cooled by air conditioning packs that use engine compressor air to chill cabin temperature. Lavatories, galleys, and lighting are standard on most Citation 750s configured for business use. The aircraft also carries fire detection and suppression systems in the engines and cargo compartments, emergency exits with slides, and life vests if the aircraft must ditch in water.

Pilot certification and crew requirements

The Citation 750 requires a crew of two pilots, both holding at least a Commercial Pilot certificate with a multi-engine rating, though most operators require an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. The ATP is the highest pilot certificate and requires 1,500 hours of flight time, advanced knowledge of weather and aircraft systems, and passing written and practical exams administered by the FAA.

Pilots must also hold a type rating specific to the Citation 750, earned by completing manufacturer training and passing a checkride with an FAA examiner. Type rating training covers the aircraft's systems, emergency procedures, normal operations, and performance limits. Training typically takes two to three weeks and costs between $15,000 and $25,000 per pilot.

Once certified, pilots must complete recurrent training and a checkride every 12 months to maintain their type rating. They must also log a minimum number of flight hours and approaches each year, and they cannot fly the aircraft if they have not flown it within the previous 90 days. These rules exist because the Citation 750 is fast, complex, and carries many people—pilot error or lack of proficiency can have serious consequences.

Maintenance schedules and regulatory oversight

The Citation 750 operates under FAA Part 135 (charter and commercial operations) or Part 91 (private business flight). Part 135 operators must follow strict maintenance schedules, keep detailed logs, and have their aircraft inspected by FAA representatives. Part 91 operators have more flexibility but must still follow manufacturer maintenance recommendations and keep records.

Maintenance is divided into routine checks and major inspections. Daily inspections happen before each flight and include checking fuel quantity, oil level, tire condition, and visible damage. 100-hour inspections occur after every 100 hours of flight time and involve a more thorough examination of engines, hydraulics, and systems. Annual inspections happen once per year regardless of flight hours and cover the entire aircraft.

Major inspections—called C-checks and D-checks—happen at longer intervals (typically every 2,000 to 6,000 flight hours) and involve taking apart large sections of the aircraft to inspect internal components. These inspections can take weeks and cost $100,000 or more. Engine overhauls are performed on a schedule set by the manufacturer, usually around 3,500 to 5,000 flight hours, and cost $500,000 to $750,000 per engine.

Operating costs and economic reality

Operating a Citation 750 is expensive. Fuel alone costs roughly $2,500 to $3,500 per flight hour at current prices, depending on fuel cost and engine efficiency. Crew salaries, maintenance reserves, insurance, hangar rent, and catering add another $3,000 to $5,000 per flight hour. A typical business flight of four hours costs $20,000 to $35,000 in direct operating costs alone.

For this reason, most Citation 750s are operated by charter companies that sell seats to multiple customers, or by large corporations that fly executives frequently enough to justify the expense. A single business owner or small company rarely owns one outright; instead, they charter flights as needed or purchase fractional ownership shares in a fleet managed by a company like NetJets or Flexjet.

Used Citation 750s typically sell for $8 million to $15 million depending on age, flight hours, and condition. A new aircraft costs roughly $25 million. These prices reflect not just the airframe but the engines, avionics, and certification—a new turbofan engine alone costs $2 million to $3 million.

Performance limits and operational constraints

The Citation 750 has a maximum cruise speed of roughly 500 knots (575 mph) and a service ceiling of 43,000 feet. It can take off from a runway as short as 4,500 feet and land in roughly 3,000 feet, making it suitable for smaller regional airports that cannot accommodate larger jets. However, these distances assume ideal conditions—high altitude, hot weather, or a heavy load increases takeoff and landing distance significantly.

The aircraft cannot fly in known icing conditions without special equipment, and even with anti-ice systems installed, pilots must avoid severe thunderstorms and hail. Weather is the single largest cause of business jet accidents, so pilots spend considerable time studying weather patterns, wind shear, and turbulence before each flight.

The Citation 750 also cannot fly into certain airspace without special clearance. It requires a transponder (a radio that broadcasts the aircraft's location to air traffic control), and it cannot operate in Class A airspace (above 18,000 feet) without an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) clearance from air traffic control. Most Citation 750s are equipped for IFR flight, meaning they can fly in clouds and at night using instruments alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people can the Citation 750 carry?

The Citation 750 has a maximum seating capacity of 10 passengers plus 2 crew members. Most business configurations seat 8 to 10 people. The actual number depends on how the cabin is arranged—some operators remove seats to add a galley, lavatory, or sleeping berth for long flights.

Can a Citation 750 fly across the Atlantic?

No. The Citation 750 has a maximum range of roughly 3,000 nautical miles, which is enough to fly from New York to London with a strong tailwind and minimal reserves, but not reliably. Larger jets like the Citation X or Gulfstream G650 are designed for transatlantic flight and have ranges exceeding 5,000 nautical miles.

What happens if an engine fails during flight?

The aircraft can continue flying on one engine, though at reduced speed and altitude. Pilots train extensively on single-engine procedures and must descend to a safe altitude and land at the nearest suitable airport. Modern turbofan engines are highly reliable, and single-engine failures are rare.

How often does a Citation 750 need maintenance?

Daily inspections happen before each flight. Deeper inspections occur every 100 hours of flight time, annually, and at longer intervals (every 2,000 to 6,000 hours) for major overhauls. A typical business jet flying 400 hours per year requires roughly $150,000 to $250,000 in annual maintenance, plus major overhaul costs spread across the aircraft's lifetime.

Can I charter a Citation 750 for a single trip?

Yes. Charter companies operate Citation 750s and sell seats or entire aircraft for individual trips. Charter costs typically run $4,000 to $6,000 per flight hour, which includes crew, fuel, maintenance, and insurance. You book through a charter broker, who coordinates with the operator and handles scheduling.