Citation CJ1 charter aircraft for short regional private jet flights

Cessna Citation CJ1/CJ1+

Q: How many passengers can the Citation CJ1 carry?

The Citation CJ1 seats up to 5 passengers, typically configured as a four-seat club plus one. For groups of 6 or more, the Citation CJ2+ or CJ3 is the better choice.

Passengers	Range	Speed	Charter From	Best For
Up to 6	1,328 nm	437 mph (380 ktas)	$2,500 / hr	Short regional hops

Please note that the hourly rate is not the total trip cost. Final pricing includes known fees such as landing and handling, crew, overflight permits, and taxes, plus variable costs like repositioning, de-icing, wait time, and overnights. Contact Hogani Jets for an accurate all-in quote.

The Citation CJ1 is the entry-level light jet in Cessna's CitationJet family, manufactured by Cessna (Textron Aviation) and seating up to 6 passengers. It has a range of 1,528 miles (1,328 nm) and a cruise speed of 437 mph (380 ktas). Citation CJ1 charter rates run $2,500 to $3,000 per flight hour, the lowest in the CitationJet line, with one-way trip pricing from roughly $8,000 to $15,000 depending on route. The CJ1 is best suited to short regional hops under about 1,300 nautical miles, Florida intra-state runs, and East Coast corridors where its low operating cost and short-runway access are the draw. For longer Caribbean legs or groups of six or more, the CJ2+ or CJ3 is the better choice.

The Citation CJ1 entered service in 1993 as the second generation of Cessna's CitationJet series, with upgraded avionics and a higher maximum takeoff weight over the original CitationJet. Its natural laminar flow wing and short-runway performance let it operate from smaller airports that larger jets cannot use. Production ran through 2015 across the CJ1 and CJ1+ variants, and the type remains active in the charter market today.

Specification	Citation CJ1	Notes
Manufacturer	Cessna / Textron Aviation	First certificated 1993
Aircraft Category	Light Jet (entry-level)	CitationJet 525 family
Passenger Capacity	Up to 6	Typical charter config: 4 to 5 pax
Cabin Length	11.9 ft (3.63 m)	Single aisle, four-seat club plus
Cabin Width	4.8 ft (1.47 m)	Recessed center aisle adds room
Cabin Height	4.8 ft (1.47 m)	No stand-up; seated comfort for short hops
Baggage Capacity	60 cu ft (1.7 m³)	Split nose and aft compartments
Max Range	1,328 nm (2,459 km)	At typical charter payload
Max Cruise Speed	437 mph (380 ktas)	Mach 0.62 to 0.64 typical
Cabin Altitude	7,600 ft at FL350	Comfortable for the class
Cabin Noise	69 dBA	Double-seal cabin door reduces noise
Engines	Williams FJ44-1A × 2	FADEC-controlled on CJ1+
Typical Runway Required	~3,410 ft takeoff / 2,870 ft landing	Sea level, standard conditions
Rate of Climb	3,400 ft per minute	Quick climb to cruise
Service Ceiling	43,000 ft	Above most weather and traffic
Hourly Charter Rate	$2,500 to $3,000	Lowest in the CitationJet family

The Citation CJ1 cabin seats up to 5 passengers across an 11.9-foot interior, typically a four-seat club layout with a fifth seat. It is a compact, efficient cabin built for short trips where low cost and airport access matter more than space.

Headroom is 4 feet 8 inches at the recessed center aisle. Passengers cannot stand upright, but seated comfort is fine for the sub-3-hour hops the CJ1 is built for.
Baggage capacity of 60 cubic feet is split between the nose and aft compartments, workable for 4 to 5 passengers with normal luggage. Larger groups or bulky gear point to a CJ2+ or CJ3.
An enclosed lavatory is standard on most CJ1s in charter service.
Power outlets and folding worktables are standard. Wi-Fi varies by operator on this older type, so confirm at booking.
Baggage note for the Citation CJ1: With a full load of 6 passengers, the 60 cubic foot capacity is workable but tight for groups with significant luggage. For more space or 7-plus passengers, a Citation CJ2+ or CJ3 is the more practical choice.

Cessna introduced the Citation CJ1+ in 2005 as an updated variant of the original CJ1. Both appear in the current charter fleet. The differences are worth understanding when selecting an aircraft.

Specification	Citation CJ1	Citation CJ1+
Year Introduced	1993	2005
Range	1,328 nm	1,328 nm (effectively identical)
Max Cruise Speed	437 mph (380 ktas)	437 mph (380 ktas)
Engines	Williams FJ44-1A	Williams FJ44-1AP with FADEC
Avionics	Pro Line 21	Collins Pro Line 21 (single-pilot certified)
Charter Pricing	$2,500-$3,000 / hr	$2,500-$3,000 / hr
Availability	Moderate	Moderate, newer airframes

For most CJ1 charter routes the performance difference between CJ1 and CJ1+ is negligible. The CJ1+ adds FADEC engine control and refinements that improve efficiency slightly. If a CJ1+ is available at a similar price, it is generally the preferred option.

The Citation CJ1 performs best on shorter routes that match its sub-1,300nm range and short-runway capability. These represent its most common charter missions.

Route	ICAO Codes	Est. Time	Notes
Miami to Nassau, Bahamas	KOPF to MYNN	~50 min	Ideal short hop. A core CJ1 use case.
Miami to Bimini, Bahamas	KOPF to MYBS	~40 min	Very short island hop, well within range.
Miami to Orlando	KOPF to KORL	~50 min	Florida intra-state, the CJ1's sweet spot.
New York to Washington D.C.	KTEB to KJYO	~1h 15m	Fast East Coast corridor hop.
West Palm Beach to Nassau	KPBI to MYNN	~50 min	Short Bahamas access for 4 to 5 pax.

The CJ1's 1,328 nm range comfortably covers Florida, the near Bahamas, and East Coast city pairs, but it is not suited to longer Caribbean legs such as Turks and Caicos or San Juan. For those, step up to the CJ3 or a midsize jet.

Citation CJ1 charter rates run $2,500 to $3,000 per flight hour, the most economical in the CitationJet family. Total one-way trip pricing depends on route distance, positioning, and demand.

Route	Est. One-Way Price	Notes
Miami to Nassau, Bahamas	$8,000 - $12,000	Most cost-efficient CJ1 use case.
Miami to Bimini, Bahamas	$8,000 - $10,500	Short island hop.
Miami to Orlando	$8,500 - $11,000	Florida intra-state.
New York to Washington D.C.	$9,500 - $12,900	East Coast corridor.
New York to Miami	$13,000 - $18,400	At the edge of comfortable CJ1 range; CJ3 often preferred.

The $2,500 to $3,000 hourly rate for a Citation CJ1 charter covers core operational costs. Additional fees and services are quoted separately on every trip, which is important to understand when comparing total trip prices.

Aircraft operation: fuel, crew, and maintenance are included in the hourly rate.
Two certificated pilots: required for all CJ1 charter operations.
Federal excise tax and segment fees: federally mandated, quoted separately.
Positioning costs: charged if the aircraft must reposition to your departure airport.
International handling fees: these apply on Bahamas and other international hops.

When buyers cross-shop the CJ1, the two most common comparisons are the Phenom 100 and the Citation M2. The Phenom 100 sits one tier down in the very light jet class, a smaller and shorter-legged option; the Citation M2 is the CJ1's effective modern successor in Cessna's line. The table below shows where each fits.

Specification	Citation CJ1	Phenom 100	Citation M2
Passengers	Up to 6	Up to 5	Up to 7
Range	1,328 nm	1,178 nm	1,550 nm
Cruise Speed	437 mph (380 ktas)	437 mph (380 ktas)	460 mph (400 ktas)
Cabin Height	4.8 ft	4.9 ft	4.8 ft
Baggage	60 cu ft	53 cu ft	60 cu ft
Hourly Rate	$2,500-$3,000	$1,900-$2,500	$2,600-$3,100
Best Use Case	Light jet. Short hops, value	Very light (step down). 4 pax, short trips	Light jet. Modern successor, more range

The Citation CJ1 is most frequently chartered on short Florida, Bahamas, and East Coast routes. Links below connect to relevant route and destination pages.

Miami to Nassau, Bahamas:a core short-hop route for the CJ1.
Miami to the Bahamas: the near islands are well within CJ1 range.
New York to Miami: at the edge of comfortable CJ1 range for 4 to 5 pax.
Bahamas private jet charter: the CJ1's most popular destination region.

Hogani Jets coordinates each Citation CJ1/CJ1+ charter through licensed Part 135 operators. Hogani Jets does not operate the aircraft directly. Every charter is conducted by a licensed Part 135 direct air carrier whose crew, maintenance, and operations remain under that carrier's independent operational control, with certifications and safety records reviewed as part of every booking.

Relationship	Aircraft	When to Consider
Predecessor	Citation Jet (525)	The original CitationJet. Older, less capable; the CJ1 improved on it.
Step Up	Citation CJ2+	More range (1,613 nm), 7 pax, larger cabin. Step up for longer trips or bigger groups.
Family Workhorse	Citation CJ3	More range (1,875 nm), faster, 7 pax. The Caribbean-capable choice.
Modern Successor	Citation M2	Cessna's modern replacement for the CJ1+. More range and speed.
Step Down	Phenom 100	Very light jet for 5 pax and shorter trips at lower cost.

Ready to book a Citation CJ1/CJ1+ private jet charter or check availability? Contact Hogani Jets for a tailored quote.

Call +1-855-660-0573 or email charter@hoganijets.com, and our team will coordinate the right aircraft and operator for your trip.

Reviewed by Matt Hogan — Founder, Hogani Jets & Aviation Specialist.

How much does it cost to charter a Citation CJ1?

Citation CJ1 charter rates run $2,500 to $3,000 per flight hour, the lowest in the CitationJet family. One-way trip pricing ranges from about $8,000 for short Bahamas and Florida hops to $15,000 for longer runs like New York to Miami. Pricing varies by route, positioning, and season.

How many passengers can the Citation CJ1 carry?

The Citation CJ1 seats up to 6 passengers, typically configured as a four-seat club plus one. For groups of 67 or more, the Citation CJ2+ or CJ3 is the better choice.

What is the range of the Citation CJ1?

The Citation CJ1 has a range of 1,328 nautical miles (1,528 miles) at typical charter payload. This covers Florida, the near Bahamas, and most East Coast city pairs nonstop, but not longer Caribbean legs such as Turks and Caicos or San Juan.

What is the difference between the Citation CJ1 and CJ1+?

The Citation CJ1+ was introduced in 2005 with FADEC-controlled Williams FJ44-1AP engines and refined Pro Line 21 avionics that allow single-pilot operation. Range and speed are effectively identical. The CJ1+ typically prices at the upper end of the light-jet charter range.

Can the Citation CJ1 land at short-runway airports?

Yes. The CJ1 needs about 3,410 feet of runway at sea level under standard conditions, opening many smaller airports that midsize jets cannot use. This short-field access is one of the type's main strengths.

What is the best aircraft if I need more range than the CJ1?

Step up within the family: the Citation CJ2+ adds range and a seventh seat, and the Citation CJ3 reaches 1,875 nm with room for 7, making it the Caribbean-capable choice. The modern Citation M2 is the CJ1+'s direct successor.

Is the Citation CJ1 still available for charter?

Yes. Although production ended in 2015, the CJ1 and CJ1+ remain active across charter fleets and are a popular, economical option for short regional trips.

Is Hogani Jets a direct air carrier?

No. Hogani Jets is an air charter broker and does not own or operate aircraft. All Citation CJ1 charters are facilitated through licensed Part 135 direct air carriers, who maintain full operational control and regulatory compliance for every flight.

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