Textron Aviation Delivers First Cessna Citation Longitude to Central America, Marking a Milestone in Regional Expansion
Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, has announced the first delivery of its flagship Cessna Citation Longitude super-midsize business jet into Central America, marking a major milestone in the company’s international growth and regional footprint. The aircraft was delivered to a long-time Citation operator based in Costa Rica, who intends to use the jet for both business and personal travel.
This delivery represents more than just an aircraft transaction — it reflects the growing appeal of the Citation Longitude across global markets and underscores Textron Aviation’s commitment to serving customers in Latin America with high-performance, state-of-the-art aircraft tailored to diverse mission requirements.
A Game-Changing Aircraft for the Region
According to Marcelo Moreira, Vice President of Sales for Latin America at Textron Aviation, the Citation Longitude sets a new benchmark in super-midsize business aviation, offering a compelling mix of performance, range, comfort, and operating efficiency.
The Citation Longitude is a game-changer for customers,” said Moreira. “Its extended range and outstanding speed enable customers to travel farther with ease, ensuring smooth and convenient journeys. Whether customers are flying for business or personal use, the flagship business jet is a great choice to support the dynamic travel needs of our Central American customers.”
With a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 kilometers) and top cruise speeds of Mach 0.84, the Longitude allows for nonstop flights between key city pairs within the Americas. For example, the aircraft can easily cover routes such as San José, Costa Rica to Buenos Aires, Argentina or Tegucigalpa, Honduras to São Paulo, Brazil, eliminating the need for fuel stops and offering passengers a seamless travel experience.
Designed for Pilots and Passengers Alike
The Longitude has been carefully engineered with equal attention to pilot ergonomics, passenger comfort, and overall operational performance. It features an advanced flight deck, touchscreen avionics, and state-of-the-art automation systems that reduce pilot workload and enhance safety.
Passengers benefit from a spacious cabin with a flat floor and a standard double-club configuration, seating up to 12 passengers. The quiet cabin environment, fully connected inflight Wi-Fi, and customizable lighting and temperature zones create a refined, productive atmosphere for travelers. Additionally, the aircraft offers the largest baggage compartment in its class, accessible in flight — a practical feature for long-range missions.
These attributes make the Longitude not just a flagship for Textron Aviation’s Citation line, but also a competitive option for discerning business aviation customers seeking to maximize comfort and productivity in the air.
Strong Citation Presence in Central America
Textron Aviation’s footprint in Central America continues to grow, with over 100 Cessna turbine aircraft currently operating in the region — more than 30 of which are Citation business jets. The Citation family, known for its durability, versatility, and wide mission adaptability, remains a popular choice for corporate flight departments, charter operators, and private owners alike.
The arrival of the Longitude in the region is expected to further strengthen the Citation brand’s position and highlight Textron Aviation’s ability to support a range of operational profiles — from short-haul regional missions to long-range international flights.
Expanding Global Reach
This delivery into Costa Rica is part of a broader strategy by Textron Aviation to expand the reach of its flagship super-midsize jet. Since its entry into service, the Citation Longitude has been embraced by customers around the world, including in North America, Europe, and Asia, thanks to its reliability, advanced systems, and reduced operating costs compared to other jets in its category.
Textron Aviation continues to invest in its global support infrastructure to ensure that Citation operators, wherever they may be, have access to world-class service and maintenance. This includes authorized service facilities, mobile service units, and parts distribution centers across key regions.
A Growing Demand for Long-Range Business Jets
The delivery of the Longitude into Central America comes at a time of growing demand for long-range business jets in emerging markets. As economic ties between Latin America and other regions continue to deepen, and as business executives increasingly require efficient and flexible travel solutions, aircraft like the Citation Longitude offer an ideal platform.
For the Costa Rica-based customer, the Longitude not only provides a luxurious means of transportation but also a strategic asset — enabling the owner to connect with clients, partners, and family across continents with speed, efficiency, and comfort.
Textron Aviation’s first Citation Longitude delivery into Central America marks an important step in the company’s ongoing global expansion. The aircraft’s arrival in Costa Rica underscores the growing appetite for long-range, high-performance business jets in Latin America and affirms Textron Aviation’s leadership in delivering tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of regional and international customers alike.
About the Citation Longitude
With a range of 6,482 kilometers (3,500 nautical miles) and full fuel payload of 726 kilograms (1,600 pounds), the Citation Longitude is designed to elevate passenger expectations in the super-midsize class by delivering the quietest cabin, a low cabin altitude (1,509 meters / 4,950 feet) at 12,500 meters/ 41,000 feet, more standard features and a comfortable, bespoke interior. With seating for up to 12 passengers, including an optional crew jump seat, the Longitude features a stand-up, 1.83-meter/ 6-foot tall flat-floor cabin.
A standard double-club configuration delivers the most legroom in the super-midsize class. Fully berthable seats are designed and manufactured in-house, and a spacious walk-in baggage compartment is accessible throughout the flight. State-of-the-art cabin technology enables passengers to manage their environment and entertainment from a mobile device. The spacious cockpit incorporates easier access and an ergonomic design that fully focuses on crew comfort and efficiency.
The clean-sheet design of the Longitude integrates the latest technology throughout the aircraft, bringing customers the lowest direct operating cost in its class. Powered by FADEC-equipped Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines, the Longitude combines on-condition engine overhaul periods to best-in-class airframe intervals of 18 months and 800 hours. Textron Aviation’s full time diagnostics recording system (AReS) and 3D Technical Publications combine advanced technology to reduce maintenance downtime and overall costs to operation.
About Textron Aviation
We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products.
Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com | www.defense.txtav.com | www.scorpionjet.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
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