Cessna Citation I/SP

Passengers	Range	Speed	Charter From	Best For
Up to 7	1,402 nm	403 mph (350 ktas)	$2,300 / hr	Economical short 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.

Hogani Jets coordinates Cessna Citation I and I/SP charter flights through licensed Part 135 operators, matching this original, economical light jet to short regional trips. The Citation I is the aircraft that started the Citation line, the most successful family of business jets ever built, and its single-pilot I/SP version helped define the entry-level jet market. Manufactured by Cessna (Textron Aviation), it seats up to 7 passengers with a range of 1,613 miles (1,402 nm) and a cruise speed of 403 mph (350 ktas). Citation I charter rates run $2,300 to $3,300 per flight hour, with one-way trip pricing from roughly $7,000 to $13,000 depending on route. Its strengths are short-field access, economy, and a comfortable cabin for its era, not speed. The Citation I suits travelers who want the most economical entry to a light jet for short hops. For more speed or range, the Citation Bravo or a CitationJet is the better choice. For a current Citation I quote, contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573.

The Cessna Citation I entered service in the early 1970s as Cessna's first business jet, designed to operate from shorter airfields than its competitors. Originally the FanJet 500, it became the Citation Model 500 and then the Citation I, with the single-pilot Citation I/SP following in 1977. Though early critics nicknamed it the Slowtation for its modest speed, nearly 700 were built, and it became the blueprint for the entire Citation family, from the Citation II and Bravo to the modern CitationJets. It remains an economical, short-field-capable charter light jet.

Specification	Citation I/SP
Manufacturer	Cessna / Textron Aviation
Aircraft Category	Light Jet (original Citation)
Passenger Capacity	Up to 7
Cabin Length	11.5 ft (3.51 m)
Cabin Width	4.6 ft (1.40 m)
Cabin Height	4.4 ft (1.34 m)
Baggage Capacity	62 cu ft (1.8 m³)
Max Range	1,402 nm (2,597 km)
Max Cruise Speed	403 mph (350 ktas)
Cabin Altitude	8,000 ft at FL410
Cabin Noise	72 dBA
Engines	Pratt & Whitney JT15D-1 × 2
Typical Runway Required	~3,000 ft takeoff / 2,700 ft landing
Rate of Climb	2,200 ft per minute
Service Ceiling	41,000 ft
Hourly Charter Rate	$2,300 to $3,300

The Citation I cabin is compact and economical, seating up to 7 in a simple, comfortable layout. As the original Citation, it set the template for the family's quiet turbofan ride and short-field access, and remains a practical cabin for short trips where economy matters most.

The cabin is snug at 4.6 feet wide, with single seats either side. Many aircraft have been retrofitted with an aft divan or updated interior.
Baggage capacity of 62 cubic feet is generous for the cabin size, handling the group's luggage on short trips.
A semi-enclosed lavatory and a small refreshment center are standard, though some updated aircraft trade the lavatory for extra legroom.
Original analog avionics have often been upgraded to modern digital systems. Wi-Fi is rare on this older type, so confirm amenities at booking.

Baggage note for the Citation I: The 62 cubic foot hold is generous for the cabin size and handles luggage for short trips well. The cabin is best for four to five on longer hops; for more space and speed, the Citation Bravo is the step up.

The Citation I is the origin of the entire Citation line, the best-selling family of business jets ever built. It led directly to the Citation II and its successors, and to the modern CitationJet family. This comparison shows where the original sits against its early descendants.

Specification	Citation I/SP	Citation II	Citation Bravo
Lineage	Original (1971)	Stretched successor (1978)	Citation II line (1997)
Range	1,402 nm	1,600 nm	1,611 nm
Cruise Speed	403 mph (350 ktas)	403 mph (350 ktas)	449 mph (390 ktas)
Passengers	Up to 7	Up to 8	Up to 8
Baggage	62 cu ft	60 cu ft	70 cu ft
Hourly Rate	$2,300-$3,300	$2,500-$3,200	$2,500-$3,500
Character	Original, most economical	Stretched, more seats	Roomier, steep-field

Choose the Citation I as the most economical entry to a light jet for short hops. The Citation II stretched the design for more seats and range, and the Bravo added a faster cruise and steep-field access. All are classic Cessna light jets at the same charter rate.

The Citation I performs best on short, economical regional routes within its practical range. These represent its most common charter missions.

Route	ICAO Codes	Est. Time	Notes
New York to Washington D.C.	KTEB to KJYO	~1h 20m	Short East Coast corridor.
Los Angeles to Las Vegas	KVNY to KLAS	~1h	Quick Western hop.
New York to Atlanta	KTEB to KPDK	~2h 30m	Mid-range East Coast run.
Chicago to Dallas	KPWK to KDAL	~2h 30m	Central US regional run.
Miami to Nassau, Bahamas	KOPF to MYNN	~1h	Short international hop.

The Citation I is best on shorter regional hops, and with a full cabin its practical range is reduced. It does not reach longer Caribbean legs such as Turks and Caicos or San Juan. For those, the Citation Bravo or a CitationJet is the better fit.

Citation I charter rates run $2,300 to $3,300 per flight hour, the standard light-jet band and an economical way to charter a light jet for short trips. Total one-way trip pricing depends on route distance, positioning, and demand.. For a current Citation I quote, contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573.

Route	Est. One-Way Price	Notes
New York to Washington D.C.	$7,000 - $9,000+	Short East Coast corridor.
Los Angeles to Las Vegas	$7,000 - $9,000+	Quick Western hop.
New York to Atlanta	$13,000 - $17,000+	Mid-range East Coast run.
Chicago to Dallas	$12,000 - $18,000+	Central US regional run.
New York to Miami	Use Citation Bravo	Beyond comfortable Citation I range; step up.

The $2,300 to $3,300 hourly rate for a Citation I 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.
Pilots: the Citation I uses two pilots, while the I/SP is certified for single-pilot operation.
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.

Contact Hogani jets for current pricing and more details about Citation l private jet.

When buyers cross-shop the Citation I, the most common comparisons are the Citation II, its stretched successor, and the Citation CJ1, the modern entry-level CitationJet. The Citation I is the most economical; the others add seats, speed, or modern avionics. The table below shows where each fits.

Specification	Citation I/SP	Citation II	Citation CJ1
Passengers	Up to 7	Up to 8	Up to 6
Range	1,402 nm	1,600 nm	1,328 nm
Cruise Speed	403 mph (350 ktas)	403 mph (350 ktas)	437 mph (380 ktas)
Cabin Width	4.6 ft	4.8 ft	4.8 ft
Avionics	Legacy, often upgraded	Legacy	Modern glass cockpit
Hourly Rate	$2,300-3,300	$2,500-$3,200	$2,500-$3,000
Best Use Case	Light jet. Original, economical	Light jet. More seats, range	Light jet. Modern, entry-level

The Citation I is most frequently chartered on short, economical regional routes. Links below connect to relevant route and destination pages.

Miami to Nassau, Bahamas: a short international hop.
Miami to the Bahamas: the near islands are within practical range.
New York to Miami: best flown on a step-up aircraft like the Bravo.
Bahamas private jet charter: a popular short-hop destination region.

Hogani Jets coordinates each Citation I 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
Direct Successor	Citation II	The stretched successor with more seats and range.
Roomier Classic	Citation Bravo	Faster classic light jet with a larger cabin and steep-field access.
Modern Entry	Citation CJ1	Modern entry-level CitationJet with a glass cockpit.
Modern Light Jet	Citation M2	Newer entry-level light jet, faster and more refined.
Step Up	Citation XLS	Midsize jet for more cabin, range, and stand-up room.

Ready to book Cessna Citation I private Jet or want to check availability? Contact Hogani Jets for a tailored Citation I or I/SP 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 Cessna Citation I?

Citation I and I/SP charter rates run $2,300 to $3,300 per flight hour, the standard light-jet band. One-way trip pricing ranges from about $7,000 for short hops to $13,000 for longer runs. Pricing varies by route, positioning, and season.

What is the difference between the Citation I and Citation I/SP?

The Citation I/SP is the single-pilot certified version of the Citation I, introduced in 1977. It allowed the aircraft to be flown by one pilot, lowering operating costs and competing with twin turboprops. The standard Citation I uses two pilots. Both share the same airframe and cabin.

Why is the Citation I historically important?

The Citation I was Cessna's first business jet and the start of the Citation line, which became the best-selling family of business jets ever built. Its short-field capability and economical turbofan design set the template for the Citation II, Bravo, and the modern CitationJets that followed.

How many passengers can the Citation I carry?

The Citation I seats up to 7 passengers, though five to six is typical for comfort, with some configurations adding an aft divan. It is a compact, economical cabin best suited to small groups on short trips.

What is the range of the Citation I?

The Citation I has a range of 1,402 nautical miles (1,613 miles) at typical payload, though with a full cabin the practical range is lower. It suits short regional hops, but not longer Caribbean legs such as Turks and Caicos or San Juan. For those, the Citation Bravo or a Citation Jet is the better fit.

Can the Citation I operate from short runways?

Yes. Short-field access was the Citation I's original design goal. It needs about 3,000 feet of runway for takeoff and lands in around 2,700 feet, opening many smaller regional airports that competing jets of its era could not use.

Is the Citation I still available for charter?

Yes. Although production ended in 1985, the Citation I remains in charter service, valued as one of the most economical ways to charter a light jet for short trips. Many aircraft have been upgraded with modern avionics and refreshed interiors.

Is Hogani Jets a direct air carrier?

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

Last Updated: 16 Sep 2026, 10:40 AM

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