Inside The $20 Million Cessna Citation Ascend

Inside The $20 Million Cessna Citation Ascend Private Jet

0:00 - Intro
This is the Cessna Citation Ascend, the fifth-generation Citation 560XL when it arrives in 2025, and its refreshed appearance heralds dozens of improvements aimed at sustaining demand for the best-selling business jet in the last quarter century. Today we’re going inside the Cessna Citation Ascend to talk about everything you need to know about this exciting aircraft.

0:22 - Cabin
Inside the cabin customers can select from a range of standard and optional features. There’s a new flat floor made possible by filling in the 8-inch or 20-centimeter dropped center aisle, bringing the cabin height from 60 inches or 1.52 meters to 68 inches or 1.73 meters. Meanwhile, the cabin width is 66 inches or 1.68 meters. The new model has upgraded passenger chairs and beefier acoustical insulation to sop up more sound.
The aircraft has a standard seating configuration of 9 passengers and a maximum seating capacity of 12. The inflight entertainment package features a Bongiovi Acoustics speakerless surround-sound system, and upgraded WiFi connectivity package. The Citation Ascend will include standard GoGo U.S. Avance L3 Max Wi-Fi and optional U.S. Avance L5 Wi-Fi. The aircraft also offers Optional Aviator 300 for Wi-Fi and worldwide calling.
The Ascend has dozens of other improvements, including electrically actuated dual-mode translucent and opaque window shades, 19 USB-C charging ports, including at least one for each seat, and 6 wireless PDA charging stations, along with electric push-button release of seat movement mechanisms that make for easier adjustment, and a cell phone or PDA app to control the Clarity cabin management system.
Options include a higher-speed GoGo L5 internet transceiver, “luxury vinyl” or stone flooring for the galley and lavatory, adjustable lumbar supports for seat backs, and choice of soft, medium, or firm bottom seat cushions. Available illuminated cabin window frames create soft halos around the transparencies.

2:36 - Cockpit
Now, let’s talk about the cockpit. The aircraft will include an unattended Honeywell RE100 Auxiliary Power Unit with self-management and added bleed leak detection. The APU now is approved for unattended operation, so one pilot can look after passengers while the other focuses on preflight preparations. There’s a new light on the bottom of the left engine pylon to illuminate the aft baggage compartment loading zone at night. Up front, the flight deck has the latest version of the Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck, including three 14-inch high-resolution displays with split-screen capabilities, standard dual flight management systems, synthetic vision, cockpit voice and data satellite transceiver to make satellite calls from the cockpit, new Garmin weather detection and avoidance technology, and second Iridium data radio and CPDLC.
The Ascend’s G5000 avionics package will be the first to offer Garmin’s 3D exocentric view airport diagrams on PFDs, including runway and taxiway signs, obstacle symbols, and building images. Garmin’s plans call for upgrading the 3D airport diagram system to display ADS-B In imagery of proximate aircraft, fuel trucks, and service vehicles.

4:20 - Engine and Performance
Talking about performance, under the cowls, Pratt & Whitney Canada’s 4,213 lbs thrust PW545D engines offer a modest 1% thrust increase, but they’ve been upgraded with more efficient high-pressure cores that boost flow rate and improve durability.
With these engines, the Citation Ascend will have a cruise speed of 441 knots or 817 km/h, a maximum range with 4 passengers of 1,900 nautical miles, which is 2,186 miles or 3,520 kilometers, and a maximum range of 2,100 nautical miles, which is 2,416 miles or 3,890 kilometers.
It will also feature the ability to climb directly to 45,000 feet or 13,716 meters, a takeoff distance of 3,660 feet or 1,116 meters, and a full-fuel payload of 850 lbs or 386 kg.

7:00 - Exterior
Externally, the Ascend will include design improvements like a new wingtip for cleaner lines and edges, all-LED lighting and a pylon work light over the baggage area for easier loading at night.

7:15 - Purchase and Charter Price
The base purchase price for a new Cessna Citation Ascend is $16,725,000 before options, and the charter price is estimated at $6,000 to $8,000 per hour. Naturally, prices will vary depending on availability, fuel prices, ground fees, and more.

7:35 - Operating Cost
While the annual fixed cost is roughly $500,000 to $750,000, the average hourly operating cost is estimated at $3,000 to $4,000.

7:47 - Outro

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