The Citation CJ2 is the middle of the CJ line and a regular on Los Angeles short-haul charter. Six or seven passengers, an enclosed lavatory and 1,613 nautical miles of range covers most of what leaves Van Nuys before lunch and comes back the same evening.
Cessna stretched the CJ1 airframe to build the CJ2, adding cabin length and Williams FJ44-2C engines. Cruise is 418 knots, seating is six to seven, and single-pilot certification is retained. The CJ2+ variant that followed brought FADEC engines and an updated flight deck. Every Cessna Citation CJ2 we arrange flies with an operator certificated under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Light Jet
- Manufacturer: Cessna (Textron Aviation)
- Year introduced: 2000-2006
- Seating: 6 to 7
- Crew: 1 to 2
- Range: 1,613 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 418 knots
- Service ceiling: 45,000 feet
- Length: 47.7 feet
- Wingspan: 49.8 feet
- Height: 13.8 feet
- Baggage volume: 65 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Belted
Why the Cessna Citation CJ2 Fits Los Angeles
The CJ2 is the first aircraft in this category with a cabin most clients would happily spend three hours in, which puts Aspen, CO, Sun Valley and Jackson Hole into conversation for winter trips out of Los Angeles. Mountain airports carry operator-specific approvals and seasonal performance limits, so we confirm the aircraft and the crew are approved for the field before it goes on a quote.
For the Inland Empire and Orange County business pattern, Ontario is the field worth knowing. It runs 24 hours with no curfew and has runway length to spare, so a CJ2 landing back at 1am is an ordinary movement there rather than an exception request.
The enclosed lavatory is the practical upgrade over a Beechjet 400A or an older Citation on any Los Angeles departure heading further than Las Vegas, NV.
Gallery
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Cessna Citation CJ2 run $3,500 to $4,800 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
On the Los Angeles to Bay Area business pairing the CJ2 usually bills around three flight hours for a same-day return, which is where it earns its cost over a turboprop.
Other Light Jets Available
- Beechjet 400A
- Cessna Citation Bravo
- Cessna Citation CJ3
- Cessna Citation CJ4
- Cessna Citation Encore
- Cessna Citation II
The full light jets category page lists every light jet we arrange for Los Angeles departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Cessna Citation CJ2 charter in or out of Los Angeles, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.