The Citation II is the oldest airframe in the Los Angeles light-jet fleet and the cheapest jet in this category. For a short Southern California leg where budget matters more than speed, it still does the job it was built for in 1978.
Cessna produced the Citation II from 1978 as a stretched, more powerful development of the original Citation. Two Pratt and Whitney JT15D-4 engines, seven or eight seats, 385 knots and 1,700 nautical miles of range. It is the slowest aircraft in this category by a clear margin. Every Cessna Citation II 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: 1978-1994
- Seating: 7 to 8
- Crew: 2
- Range: 1,700 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 385 knots
- Service ceiling: 43,000 feet
- Length: 47.3 feet
- Wingspan: 52.2 feet
- Height: 15 feet
- Baggage volume: 77 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Belted
Why the Cessna Citation II Fits Los Angeles
Speed is the trade. A Los Angeles to Denver leg that a Learjet 35 flies in a little over two hours takes the Citation II noticeably longer, and on the return you pay for those minutes twice. Inside about 90 minutes of Van Nuys, which covers Las Vegas, NV, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara and Napa, CA, the difference stops mattering.
Older airframes are exactly where our vetting work does the most for a client. Every Citation II we put forward flies with an operator holding a current FAR Part 135 certificate, and we look at the operator’s safety and incident history and confirm the pilots are experienced and current on the type before it goes on a quote.
For Ventura County trips the Citation II is a common answer into Camarillo and Oxnard. Camarillo permits no takeoffs between midnight and 5am and is weight-limited, so a late Los Angeles return usually routes into Van Nuys or Burbank instead.
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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 II run $3,000 to $4,200 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The Citation II is normally the lowest hourly rate on any Los Angeles light-jet quote sheet, and on a short round trip it can land close to an entry-level jet.
Other Light Jets Available
- Beechjet 400A
- Cessna Citation Bravo
- Cessna Citation CJ2
- Cessna Citation CJ3
- Cessna Citation CJ4
- Cessna Citation Encore
The full light jets category page lists every light jet we arrange for Los Angeles departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Cessna Citation II 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.