Cessna Citation Ascend Enters Into Service, Redefining Performance and Cabin Experience in the Midsize Business Jet Market

WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 31, 2025--

The Cessna Citation Ascend achieved a major milestone as the first retail customer took delivery of the midsize business jet on Tuesday, December 30, marking the aircraft’s entry into service. Announced in 2023 the aircraft boasts an entirely new cockpit, improved performance and a luxurious flat floor cabin. The Citation Ascend received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in November 2025.

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The Cessna Citation Ascend is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

“The first Citation Ascend delivery underscores Textron Aviation’s commitment to redefining the midsize segment with an aircraft that blends innovation, efficiency and unmatched comfort,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. “We look forward to seeing the Ascend begin its journey with customers around the globe.”

With more than 1,000 Cessna Citation 560XL series aircraft delivered since 2000, owners and operators appreciate the aircraft’s unparalleled combination of performance, comfort, ease of operation, range of mission capabilities and favorable operating efficiencies.

Enhancing the pilot experience

The Citation Ascend’s new cockpit is equipped with the Garmin G5000 avionics suite, featuring:

Pilots benefit from reduced workload and enhanced flight-envelope protection, while passengers enjoy a spacious flat floor cabin. The aircraft can accommodate up to 12 passengers and features an advanced acoustic treatment system for a quiet, comfortable environment similar to that of driving a car down the highway.

An aircraft built for productivity

With all-new, nearly 15% larger cabin windows, customizable interior options and wireless control of lighting, temperature, window shades and entertainment, the Ascend delivers a new level of comfort and flexibility. To keep customers connected, the aircraft includes standard GoGo U.S. Avance L3 Max Wi-Fi; customers can also select optional U.S. Avance L5 Wi-Fi or Gogo Galileo HDX connectivity solutions.

The Citation Ascend is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, offering enhanced fuel efficiency and increased thrust. The aircraft achieves a maximum speed of 441 knots true airspeed (ktas) and a four-passenger range of 1,940 nautical miles (3,593 kilometers), complemented by a full fuel payload of 900 lb. (408 kg). Textron Aviation has also incorporated an unattended Honeywell RE100 [XL] Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for efficient preflight preparations and reduced noise on the ground.

Dedicated service and support

Textron Aviation delivers unmatched Aftermarket support for Citation Ascend owners through a global network designed to keep customers flying. With 20 company-owned service centers worldwide, 21 Authorized Service Facilities (ASFs) for Citation jets and more than 80 Mobile Service Units (MSUs), expert help is always within reach. The company’s expanded parts distribution network—with seven distribution centers and 17 stockrooms globally—offers same-day shipping and online ordering for over 150,000 unique part numbers. Textron Aviation Parts Distribution is backed by a team of more than 600 dedicated professionals and an expanded global customer support team, providing customers with the assistance they need wherever they are. The Aftermarket team offers 24/7 aircraft on ground (AOG) support, delivering fast, reliable solutions that minimize downtime and maximize aircraft availability.

Customers benefit from an industry-leading 18 month or 800-hour airframe maintenance interval—all backed by a five-year or 5,000-hour Garmin warranty, a two-year paint and interior coverage period and a five-year or 3,000-hour engine warranty. Engine overhaul periods extend up to 6,000 hours with 3,000-hour hot section inspections. The aircraft is equipped with advanced diagnostic tools such as, Pratt & Whitney’s FAST™ box and industry leading diagnostic tools available through Textron Aviation’s LinxUs system. LinxUs fault notifications and advanced diagnostic tools enable downtime reduction, returning the aircraft to service faster than ever. For added peace of mind, customers can opt for the new PowerAdvantage Premium program, which builds on PowerAdvantage+ by including environmental damage repair, P&WC Mobile Response Team (MRT) support for AOG, engine freight and remove-and-install labor.

For more information about the Citation Ascend, visit cessna.com/ascend.

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.

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.

Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers.

Cessna Citation Ascend enters into service, redefining performance and cabin experience in the midsize business jet market. (Photo credit: Textron Aviation)

PHOENIX (AP) — This year's Final Four at the women's NCAA Tournament features a quartet of powerhouse programs, teams that have overwhelmed almost all of their opponents with superior talent and veteran coaching.

They have size. They are athletic. They have pedigree.

But they haven't faced a ton of on-court adversity — particularly in March.

That could change on Friday night when UConn faces South Carolina and Texas meets UCLA in the national semifinals at Mortgage Matchup Center. After beating up on inferior adversaries for the majority of March, it's time for the game's elite to pick on someone their own size.

Here's how they're preparing for potential clutch moments this weekend.

The Gamecocks have had a few tough losses this season, including two to Texas. They also dropped a road game against Oklahoma, blowing a seven-point halftime lead before losing in overtime.

South Carolina got its revenge last week, beating the Sooners in the Sweet 16.

The Gamecocks haven’t faced much friction in the NCAA Tournament, winning their four games by an average of 40.3 points.

Coach Dawn Staley said the way to stay fresh for late-game situations is to simulate them in practice so that players are comfortable when tense moments come. For instance, during last week’s regional in Sacramento, the coach said they made sure to go over sidelines inbounds plays since the benches were in a spot that was different than most of the games they had played.

Guard Raven Johnson said Staley did a good job of ramping up the intensity after the early-season setbacks, holding them to the program’s standard that has been built over the past two decades.

“When we took losses throughout the season, I think practices, they shifted,” Johnson said. “They were hard. She was on our butts. She was a different person.

“I think that made us come closer. That made us realize that people here, this is their first time ever experiencing things like this. We had to remind them that our standard here is very high. We had to remind them in practice, good habits are contagious. When you have good habits, they carry on into the game.”

The Huskies' dominance has been historic. They've won their 38 games by an average of 37.8 points, which is on track to rank third all-time behind its record 40.6 in 2015 and 39.7 in 2016.

On-court adversity hasn't been common. The Huskies played a tight game against Michigan early in the year, pulling out a 72-69 win on Nov. 21. They also trailed by one point against North Carolina after one quarter in the Sweet 16 before pulling away for a 63-42 victory.

Other than that, it's been pretty smooth sailing.

Azzi Fudd said she's confident the Huskies will be ready to execute in a tight fourth quarter if needed.

“You simulate as much as you can in practice, which the coaches have done for us all year long," Fudd said. “At the end of the day, the habits that we've built in practices and games will definitely help keep us settled, keep us calm, keep us together this weekend.”

Texas played a difficult schedule, going 14-3 against nationally ranked teams before March Madness even started. The Longhorns are the one team in the Final Four that has had a two-game losing streak, dropping back-to-back games to LSU and South Carolina in mid-January.

In that regard, they might be the most battle-tested team remaining.

Texas also might be the hottest team in the nation at the moment. The Longhorns are on a 12-game winning streak, which includes a 78-61 win over South Carolina in the SEC Tournament and a 77-41 win over Michigan in the Elite Eight.

Coach Vic Schaefer said he's not concerned about the lack of close games. He believes his team has proven its mettle thanks to the tough schedule.

“I've got a fifth-year point guard and I've got Madison Booker, who has been in those games and those wars,” Schaefer said. “I stopped worrying about this group about three or four weeks ago. What they've done and how they've done it — at some point you've got to step back and go ‘OK, they’re good.'”

Texas has won its games by an average of 29.1 points this season and by 35.5 in the tournament.

The Bruins are the only team remaining that has experienced a recent brush with a loss, trailing by eight points at halftime against Duke in the Elite Eight before rallying for a relatively comfortable 70-58 win.

Their lone loss came at the hands of their upcoming opponent — Texas.

Senior guard Gabriela Jaquez said the Duke game was a great learning moment heading into what she hopes are two more games.

“We never want to be down, but it's really important to respond quickly,” Jaquez said. “In the Duke game, we should have responded quicker, but it's OK, we responded at halftime. In the Final Four, all these teams are really good. They've worked hard all season, they're going to be ready, they're going to be prepared.”

UCLA has won its games by an average of 28 points this season, including 27 in the tournament.

AP Sports Writer Eric Olson contributed to this report.

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

UCLA center Lauren Betts passes the ball during practice prior to the national semifinals at the Women's Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma answers a question during a news conference prior to the national semifinals at the Women's Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

South Carolina's Raven Johnson answers a question during a new conference prior to the national semifinals at the Women's Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)